The date was Nov. 22, 1963. The place was Dallas, Texas. The historic tragedy that occurred was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (JFK). He was the youngest American president ever elected at age 43 and the youngest president to die in office.
JFK’s open motorcade was meandering down a street packed with eager onlookers standing elbow-to-elbow. Citizens were hoping to catch a glimpse of the young president who ushered in a new generation of leadership, including transformational social and technological change.
Today, 57 years after his death, all generations can learn valuable leadership lessons from the JFK presidency. In particular, these five significant leadership lessons stand out for me:
- Formulating and effectively communicating a bold vision,
- Fostering innovative thinking and new technology,
- Taking risks to advance a cause greater than oneself,
- Following one’s moral conscience despite public opinion, and
- Advancing equal opportunity in the workplace and every place.
Two important issues that exemplified JFK’s leadership to inspire ordinary Americans and move the moral compass of the nation were civil rights and space exploration. JFK’s risk-taking actions in these areas resulted in historic accomplishments that have had a lasting social impact.
Civil Rights Struggle
John F. Kennedy occupied the Oval Office during one of the most turbulent times of the post-World War II era. The non-violent civil rights movement led by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was growing across the South and having a deep social impact on the conscience of the country – for blacks and whites alike.
The national mood was tense as police used unnecessary violence to stop otherwise peaceful demonstrations. This included beating civil rights marchers bloody with batons, unleashing K-9 attack dogs on them, and spraying down demonstrators with powerful water cannons.
It was a time of intense social upheaval and uncertainty. America faced a crossroads in the fight for equal opportunity for all citizens, regardless of race and color.
JFK played a pivotal role in persuading whites about the importance of civil rights.
He successfully framed the civil rights movement as a historic struggle, not only over race but also for basic civil and human rights for all citizens under the U.S. Constitution.
Hearts & Minds
Through his leadership and executive management of the Federal Government, JFK helped change the hearts and minds of many bigoted whites for whom discrimination was an accepted aspect of everyday society, especially in Southern states.
Nowhere was this more evident than when JFK directly addressed the nation on live TV — and in public events — to urge Americans to deeply search their souls and consciences regarding race in America. He convinced a large segment of society to stand up for what was morally right. In other words, equal opportunity for all.
JFK was instrumental in persuading Congress to join him in transforming the legal landscape and evolution of civil rights laws.
JFK’s groundbreaking and heroic leadership transcended the times.
Today’s executive leaders and managers, plus a new generation of leadership (Millennials and Gen Z), should take note of the effective way in which JFK persuaded a divided nation to do the right thing despite fierce opposition — including violence and death.
He articulated the civil rights cause through a commanding use of communication (the presidential “Bully Pulpit”) and decisive executive actions.
I suggest everyone read, Profiles in Courage, which JFK wrote as a junior U.S. senator from Massachusetts.
The book, which won a Pulitzer Prize for biography, can help enhance executive leadership and management skills everywhere from Wall Street to Main Street USA.
While the book is based on political leadership and statesmanship, it likewise contains many valuable lessons for all executives and managers of every generation.
Turning the Tide
JFK’s leadership and management skills helped turn the tide of the tumultuous civil rights struggle and ultimately usher in a new era of equal opportunity, the social impact of which is still felt today.
Among his civil rights achievements, JFK fought for and signed the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and laid the groundwork for subsequent passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 — which fundamentally altered how blacks were treated in nearly all aspects of public life.
In addition to civil rights giants like Martin Luther King, Jr. and others, JFK also gave voice to the concept of basic fairness and human dignity for all people. His bold vision moved the moral conscience of many bigoted white Americans.
To demonstrate his leadership and command of communications in the era of TV, JFK delivered a consequential nationally televised address (watch video) on June 11, 1963, during the height of the civil rights struggle. The young president told the nation:
“We are confronted primarily with a moral issue. It is as old as the scriptures and it is as clear as the American Constitution.”
“This nation, for all its hopes and all its boasts, will not be fully free until all of its citizensof hare free.” — JFK
Thus, as we reflect on JFK’s many achievements 57 years following his untimely death, let’s remember one of his most lasting legacies: Fostering civil rights and equal justice for all during a time when discrimination and injustice were rampant in America.
Space Exploration
In addition to his historic civil rights record, JFK made a huge social impact on America in his quest to land the first men on the moon. Again, the young president harnessed his unique leadership skills to galvanize the nation through:
- Formulating and effectively communicating a bold vision,
- Fostering innovative thinking and new technology,
- Following one’s moral conscience despite public opinion,
- Taking risks to advance a cause greater than oneself, and
- Advancing economic opportunity in the workplace.
One can’t overemphasize the importance of JFK’s successfully leading and inspiring the nation to think big and take risks regarding human space exploration.
JFK helped persuade Congress to super-size NASA’s budget to an unprecedented amount leading up to the moon mission. He understood the critical importance of America leading the world in space exploration, research, and technology — especially as the Soviet Union (USSR) appeared to be winning the Space Race.
Moon Landing
According to Ten Presidents and NASA:
“On May 25, 1961, Kennedy addressed a joint session of Congress to announce his decision to go to the moon.”
“He backed up this decision with remarkable financial commitments.”
Under JFK, NASA’s budget was boosted by 89 percent in one year, and then by another walloping 101 percent the following year.
As JFK said during his famous “moon speech” in September 1962:
I regard the decision last year to shift our efforts in space from low to high gear as among the most important decisions that will be made during my incumbency in the office of the Presidency.
Future Space Exploration
Today, NASA is in need of the type of presidential leadership displayed by JFK. The space agency serves as a stark reminder of what’s possible when the U.S. Government harnesses its full potential through presidential and congressional leadership, as evidenced by a rich history of landmark achievement.
In addition to landing men on the moon, NASA’s accomplishments include current breakthroughs via the Mars Rovers, in addition to amazing findings by the Hubble and Kepler Space Telescopes.
Hubble is able to see back to the beginning of the universe, soon after the so-called “Big Bang“. Meanwhile, Kepler continues to discover hundreds of new Earth-like planets orbiting stars similar to our sun — albeit millions of light-years away (one light-year = about 9 trillion kilometers or approximately 6 trillion miles).
Some of these so-called exoplanets closely resemble Earth with rocky surfaces, atmospheres, and the potential for water — or oceans of liquid nitrogen, for example. These exoplanets are located in the habitable “Goldilocks Zone” and may in fact harbor life, even microbial.
The more Kepler examines the cosmos, the more exoplanets it finds with solar systems similar to our own. Thus, NASA has not only proven instrumental in boldly going “where no man has gone before” but also in applying innovative approaches in space that yield practical technology solutions to problems on Earth. This benefits both American citizens and citizens of the world.
Final Thoughts
In essence, when it comes to addressing contentious moral issues head-on as well as fostering innovating thinking and bold leadership, today’s corporate executives and young people alike can take a cue from JFK.
There’s a good reason why John F. Kennedy remains one of the greatest and most beloved American presidents. That’s because he helped change the very fabric of society for the better and cause Americans to dream of what was once unimaginable. Thus, JFK deserves to be remembered and honored today, more than half a century after his death which devastated the nation.
Future American presidents need to emulate JFK’s bold leadership, visionary thinking, and decisive action, even though it may diverge from popular public opinion. It’s been said that the test of real leadership is leading people where they don’t want to go.
In closing, the USA desperately needs another JFK in the White House — and the sooner the better for our nation and world.
DBG
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Previously published on linkedin.com
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Photo Credit: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library