I was thinking about the most important quality necessary to be President. Let’s face it; it’s a huge job. Some do it well; some don’t. Some seem to thrive; others, well, never quite seem to get the hang of it. Hear me out… I’m not saying the Intramuralist has what it takes. I don’t, but I was thinking about the most important quality in those who seek the seat.
I decided that most necessary — putting all partisan agreement/disagreement aside (hard as that is for some) — is executive experience. If a person is going to lead this country efficiently and well, they need executive experience. That means a person who’s previously had the power to put plans and actions into effect — as opposed to just talk about them… a person who has managed people, timetables, and tasks… a person who has had to work within the framework of a budget — within both the limits and surplusses… a person who knows they are accountable — and that accountability is obvious; it drives them… a person who embraces being judged more by results than by rhetoric… a person who never allows an ideology to trump the bottom line. An executive never loses sight of the big picture.
I speak not of whether or not we agree or disagree politically. I’ve said it before; I’ll say it again: I’ve yet to find anyone running for office with whom I agree on all points. Regardless of political bent on an issue, as we continue to witness the current White House navigate via awkward, controversial, and sometimes arguably scandalous decision-making, my sense is the person who is the President would serve the country better if they come to the table with ample executive experience.
That could be a former CEO or governor… the leader of a company or charity. That could be a Governor Christie, Richardson, or Martinez. That could be a Bill Gates or Meg Whitman. Let me tell you, though, what it’s not. Executive experience is not a lawyer or legislator. With all due respect to current and past occupiers, lawyers and legislators utilize a different set of skills. They don’t typically execute plans and actions; they spend far more time simply talking about them.
With respect to Dem’s and Rep’s alike… to Hillary, Joe, Rand, and Rubio… I realize many of you 2016 hopefuls have your eyes on the so-called prize; you each, also, would bring something unique to the Oval Office. None of you, however, has the executive experience the Intramuralist believes is necessary to be courageously consistent making decisions in the West Wing.
As we witness continued controversy in multiple administrations — some criticism deserved, some not, and some impossible to discern whether or not actually deserving — my desire for executive experience only magnifies. I want someone who’s dealt with similar circumstances before.
In thinking of executive experience, there may be one trait that trumps even that…
“And David shepherded them with integrity of heart.”
I was reading the annals of ancient leaders and kings, and I was struck by the reign of David. The youngest of 8 had not the known resume nor repertoire of his older, more accomplished brothers. He was a simple shepherd. But he shepherded them — he led them — with “integrity of heart.”
What is that? It seems better and more than any political persuasion… better than rhetoric or results… better still than executive experience. Here was David, by all accounts and purposes, an inexperienced boy. And yet, the historic scriptures speak of him as a leader like no other. Even with ample mistakes in office, so-to-speak, the effectiveness of his leadership was unprecedented.
Ok, so I was thinking about the most important quality necessary to be President. I now have two…
Respectfully…
AR