Statesman or Leader? By © Copyright 2009
Andres Agostini (Andy)
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Everything has become so very complicated these days.
Complexity, if the leader is to be truly successful and
sustainably successful in increasingly amorphous, re-
adaptable, unchartered waters, he must understand
complexity multidimensionally. Identifying this fact and
verifying its increasingly complex nature, take us to great
depth and breadth of reflection. For a long while, all-walks-of
life people has made some inappropriate jokes on, “…you
don’t need a rocket scientists to do that…” Sometimes you
do need a prominent scientist handy. Some other times you
do need to operate on the breakthrough by such prominent
scientist.
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You explain how to make a pencil plainly – and in the process
– you will miss a whole body of numerical and narrative data.
But if you listen up to two manufacturing scientists to speak
about the creation of a single and plain pencil, you’ll
immediately realize that the great majority of even learned
people have taken for granted, for decades, a number of flaw
assumptions. Clearly, this is fact but this also a metaphor.
The pencil metaphor applies to any endeavor in life as it is
brought about by the marshalling-in-the-entrenched-fields
leaders. As people “satirize” the rocket scientists
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pejoratively, in general people oppose to those who – as per
these current times – are against the simple conception (and
linearity) of so-called “common sense.” Getting back for a
second to rocket scientists, through NASA and for the totality
of fields of knowledge, they opened up so many windows of
opportunity to accessing to leading knowledge. How?
NASA’s scientists, leading some 400 different contractors for
the Apollo Program, conceived and instilled to the
Shakespearean lingua franca 20,000 new terms, new terms
of universal usage by prominent thought leaders.
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Shakespeare, at his time, endowed the fascinating and
sophisticated English language with 10,000 new words. Both
efforts are highly appreciated by those who are always
challenging Cambrian “common sense.” Who would dare to
satirize the Apollo Program and its zillion of by-products and
by-services, remembering that a “product” is a service
waiting to happen?
I am a strong believer of perpetual education, perennial
mind-shaping, eternal global sophistication, as well as
extremely instituted preparation way before undertaking any
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responsibility. In preparing – having done your prior
homework by thinking unthinkably – it is absolutely crucial to
have a bold and broad contingency planning not for the sake
of theory but for the sake of pragmatic and accelerated
resolution of problems. “Theory” has been caricaturized
heavily by some alleged leaders. Einstein, on the subject
matter, reminds us: “I do not know of anything more
practical than theory.”
A prominent Danish physicist, Dr. Niels Bohr (1885 – 1962),
offered some words of wisdom to countermeasure the
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ridicule validity of “common sense.” His actual words were
“One of the favorite maxims of my father was the distinction
between the two sorts of truths, profound truths recognized
by the fact that the opposite is also a profound truth, in
contrast to trivialities where opposites are obviously absurd.”
No more are these the times of Thomas Paine.
I need to add something important to the great intellect of
Dr. Bohrs’ quotation. There are two additional dimensions of
“truth” very much in use these days. One is the “adversarial
truth” that is sentenced by a judge. The other – extremely
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important to me and without undermining the crucial value
of due process jurisprudence – is the “scientific truth,” chiefly
that as per the applied omniscience. Since in science the
insidious “over- politicization” does not make an entrance,
depth is much more profound and much less subjective.
Beyond taking this or that side, it is opportune to admit that
honorable Senator Edward Kennedy was an actual
personification of an engaged leader indeed. I do like – to a
great extent – leadership as exercised by honorable
president Donald Reagan too. The United States and the
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World has lost a great leader. My condolences to the family
and friends of Senator Kennedy.
Staying on our magnificent leadership theme, I have a story
for you by John F. Kennedy. We know the world lived then an
extremely difficult time with the Cold War, among other
“amenities.” I suggest my colleagues and customers to read
thrice the speech by President Kennedy at Rice University.
There is this avid habit of John, Robert, and Edward – not
meaning to rule out any other within that great family – that
I am in most agreement with. And referring to the huge
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importance that they all gave to being totally immersed on
continuous education and outgrowing their own selves. I
have former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in high regard. It is
not my job to judge him on anything. As discussing some
public policies in advancing the qualitative and quantity state
of the British Education Systems, you could hear him repeat
and repeat out-loudly three words, “EDUCATION,
EDUCATION, EDUCATION.”
NASA’s Chief Engineer Dr. Werner von Braun invited
President Kennedy to witness the testing of some rocket
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engine in direct connection with the prior efforts that
ascertain the triumph of the Apollo Program. As the
President was on the respective site and walking through and
to the observational location, he bumped into a maintenance
gentleman. He noticed that he was brushing energetically the
corridors of the NASA installation. More or less, President
Kennedy asked this hard-working person, “What are you
doing?” I think Mr. Kennedy noticed that the man was over-
committed in being compliant with his work and still he
looked proud of his “rough” responsibility. The man replied
the President with these words, “…making certain that a Man
goes to the Moon and comes back safely.” Clearly, this
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worker was following up on the most vocal speeches by
President Kennedy. He is a canonical landmark example of
the follower (co-leader). He, too, was a statesman.
When some of my friends, colleagues or customers asks me
why I want to undertake a major, complex challenge, I
respond to them – almost instinctively – “…because it is
difficult…,” respectfully paraphrasing President Kennedy
keynote and wisest speech.
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Some authors, writers, editors, and bloggers use illustrations
and tables among other “tools” to illustrate their ideas
better. I use those and also institute the enunciation of great
and even unknown quotations. I like to get my message
across to be helpful. Some critics don’t like this but only the
usage of wording. Archimedes and Pythagoras gave
unimpeachable dissertations that do not favor said critics.
These savants would not only write but draw and sketch, not
to mention Leonardo da Vinci’s enterprises to enlighten souls
and minds until these days.
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In speaking about leadership – our central matter – we must
see many flanks, especially those ignored by ages as we open
up our minds to the most. Exercising leadership efficaciously
and timely is an act of success capturing the designated goals
and objectives early on.
I get people involved with some actionable tenets to get the
leadership going above and beyond when the going gets
tough too. I also use some “action” expressions – in the most
accurate possible way – to get our minds even more
prepared. Sometimes I make a great number of unanswered
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questions. Yes, I like to ask myself endless questions as well,
24/7.
To this end I believe useful to reflect on some words of
wisdom by President Kennedy. WHY? Because, as per my
POV, I believe it will serve us well extending and extending
further our conceptions, assumptions, and perhaps our own
system of beliefs, cosmosvision, and comfort zones,
especially in reference with leadership.
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He said: “Let the word go forth from this time and place, to
friends and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a
new generation of Americans – born in this century
[Twentieth Century], tempered by war, disciplined by a hard
and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage – and
unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those
human rights to which this nation has always been
committed, and to which we are committed today at home
and around the world. Let every nation know, whether it
wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any
burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any
foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
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Isn’t that great? Yet, Isn’t that valid as per this eons-
streaming age? Isn’t this the precise personification of an
actionable statesman? To be a true statesman you must first
be a leader. The maintenance gentleman spoke about it
before, that is, a statesman both leading and following within
his / her frame of reference.
The American Heritage Dictionary, regarding the lexicon
statesman, refers: “A man who is a LEADER in national or
international affairs ... A male political LEADER regarded as a
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disinterested promoter of the public good … A man who is a
respected leader in a given field.”
To gain a greater perspective on the term “statesman,” I will
facilitate the definition the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. As
follows:
“…one versed in the principles or art of government;
especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business
of a government or in shaping its policies … one who
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exercises political leadership wisely and without narrow
partisanship.”
The compound term “and without narrow partisanship”
exactly equates to win over the minds and souls of your crew
(team). And you can only secure this by being extremely
coherent among thought, word, and deed. Being
accountable, responsible, and transparent – at all times
regardless of whatever other considerations – will make one
a successful leader.
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On “statesman” the English Oxford Dictionary offers great
insight in complement. “Person skilled, especially one taking
prominent part, in management of State affairs; sagacious
far-sighted practical politician … person of ripe years and
experience whose counsel is therefore sought and valued …”
The Standard Encyclopedic Dictionary tell us, regarding a
statesman, as ensues: “One who is skilled in government; a
political leader of distinguished abilities … One engaged in
government, or influential in state affairs…”
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I found a new definition to enlighten us further by the
Webster’s New World Dictionary. As follows: “A person who
shows wisdom, skill, and vision in conducting state affairs
and dealing with public issues, or one engaged in the
business of government.”
All of these definitions touch the word government. Harvard
University Professor Michael Porter extended the quality of
the statesman to any type of organization, either public or
private or for-a-profit or NGOs or supranationals (such as the
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United Nations, the World Health Organization, the
Organization of American States, the World Bank, so forth).
The statesman leader is equally a great leader or a splendid
follower. A governor, a major, a priest, a manager can each
be statesman too.
I did speak a bit about the ego issues. To tell you my way, I
prefer a great deal of ego than a great deal of low self-
esteem. If the ego is sick, it should be institutionalized. This
discussion is flying into loosing the sense of the ridicule. It
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reminds me of those byzantine deliberations regarding the
genders of the Angels.
The EGO possessor has something extremely good. That is,
he / she exudes energy like a gigantic dynamo. I have seen
many so-called “ego-trippers” with great communication
abilities, with compassion and civility, with a sense of
cooperation, with a marked sense of following through
directives, protocols, and norms. Many of those are
extremely effective, not only while at leading but also while
at following. Many of them have shown and demonstrated
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honorability. Yes, they do have objections when they see
something wrong and they make a timely observation, critic
immediately. They are never “yes-men,” they respect
authority highly because said authority is as qualified and
within lawfulness and legitimacy.
For some people, myself included, it is almost impossible to
take part in a cohesive team that is in the process of
undertaking a gargantuan challenge.
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Some people are extremely proud of different GOOD
THINGS. If those thing allow the leader and follower (co-
leader) to build a splendorous cathedral, What in Heaven’s is
the problem?
Most of these people are over-accomplished and into over-
accomplishing, making extremely nervous and anxious those
citizens of the mediocrity-dom. That kingdom in which the
subjects vehemently worship supine ignorance after having
being to world-class academia and organizations.
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Incidentally, a leader can be the ultimate acting and thinking
machine. But the followers must be top-class too. Everything
has become so stunningly treacherous, daring, and complex.
Yes, a great leader can make a follower “make up” in a
moment of weakness and emergency. But followers, as co-
leaders, must be premium-graded people (mind, body, and
soul). Some are born, some are made, but—the best ones—
are those who have decided to self-discipline and purify
themselves and eternally mortgage their own practical
education. WHY?
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Because no one is going to tender you the gift of applicable
knowledge or effective wisdom by an act of magic (?). It is
not a gift, it is an everyday conquest—that, by the way, is
getting – every second – more and more demanding.
NOTE: All quotations not otherwise cited are from
the interviews conducted by the author or personal
communications sent to the author.
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‒ Andy
(Andres Agostini)
www.AgostiniWorks.blogspot.com
www.AA450.blogspot.com
www.slideshare.net/andresagostini/1-1898431
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www.ecademy.com/account.php?op=cv&id=408933
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