Fwd: RE: [Vision2020] Ineffective Leadership Principles of Robert E. Lee

[sean]

For some "the question" (as if only one question is right, worthwhile 
or acceptable here) is probably not whether Lee was the best choice. 
It is what should leaders reflect in terms of values.  That seems to 
transcend all the views here.  What some, like Mr. Kimmel, seem to be 
able to do is separate the character flaws/moral failures of a leader 
so as to mine valuable lessons/principles.

Character flaws/moral failures are not too hard to find in any 
leader, leaders being flawed humans like those they lead.  Is the 
suggestion that anyone with flaws cast out of the pool of "leaders 
worth learning from"?  Or are only certain flaws/failures capable of 
eliminating a leader?  The following are leaders lauded for their 
skills in leadership.  Would you advocate using each of them in lieu 
of Lee?

Sun Tzu
Dick Marcinko
Gen. Sherman
Malcolm X


Determine the principles, then choose the leader who embodies them. 
Perhaps that is the path being suggested by Melynda and others?
s


>
>
>Sean's question appears to be:  are the qualities attributed to Lee 
>by H.W. Crocker and borrowed by Paul Kimmell admirable in and of 
>themselves?  He implies a follow up--if they are admirable, why not 
>admire them as embodied by Lee, without reference to other, less 
>admirable traits or positions?
>
>While I myself admire generosity, gentleness, and nobility in the 
>abstract, I don't believe they occur in human beings without a 
>context.  The deeply-held religious principles of Hammas or the 
>Inquisition are not in themselves a good, since their context is one 
>of destruction and human suffering.  The generosity of Robert E. Lee 
>to other white men is not in itself a good, since he was incapable 
>of fully extending that generosity to men and women who were not 
>white.  We could multiply examples of notorious figures in history 
>who had some good qualities counterbalanced by evil ones.  Osama bin 
>Laden is a hell of a fundraiser, very organized, and 
>self-disciplined--fine qualities in a business leader--but don't get 
>out the Powerpoint just yet.
>
>Context-bound as we are, when Lee is held up as a moral example, we 
>are likely to divide into two camps:  those for whom the evil of 
>racism outweighs any personal good in Lee's character, and those for 
>whom Lee's personal virtues outweigh his commitment to racism.
>
>So the question is not, "Did Robert E. Lee have any leadership 
>qualities worthy of emulation?" but "Is Robert E. Lee the best 
>possible example of a leader for local business people to learn 
>about and emulate?"
>
>Melynda Huskey


-- 
Thanks,
s


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         Sean Michael
         .dwg