The Secret Language of Leadership

INTRODUCTION

TEN MISTAKES TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERS MAKE

“ The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present.... As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves. ”

—Abraham Lincoln¹

 

In the U.S. presidential campaign of 2000, Al Gore’s robotic performances were the fodder of late-night comedy. The charisma-challenged candidate put everyone to sleep. His petulant sighs and stiffly aggressive manner made him look like the smart kid we all hated in eighth grade. No one wanted to listen to what he had to say. Despite a strong case on the merits, he lost the election.

Fast-forward to 2006, and what do we see? Millions of people have paid more than US$40 million to watch a movie of Al Gore’s PowerPoint ...