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Probation and Pretrial Chiefs Can Learn from the Leadership Styles of American Presidents

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Probation and Pretrial Chiefs Can Learn from the Leadership Styles of American Presidents June 2000 27 Probation and Pretrial Chiefs Can Learn From the Leadership Styles of American Presidents Michael Eric Siegel, The Federal Judicial Center MANY MANAGERS AND leaders, • And a realistic John Kennedy said, “The presi- First a caveat. I do not intend this essay as including probation and pretrial chiefs, fan- dent is rightly described as a man of extraordi- a partisan document in any way. I will praise tasize about having more power—power nary power. Yet it is also true that he must wield and criticize Republican and Democrat presi- equivalent, say, to that of the president of the these powers under extraordinary limitation.” dents. The effort is not intended to enhance United States or a federal judge. These wish- or detract from the reputation of any recent The limitations on power are painfully ob- ful thinkers believe that if they had more president but rather to educate managers and vious to presidents; they include the constitu- power they could overcome obstacles and leaders about strategic and effective leader- tional provisions of separation of powers and move their organizations forward the way a ship. There is, after all, a widespread interest checks and balances. The limitations on power president can move the nation forward. in improving the quality of leadership, which, also include political realities of Congressional according to James MacGregor Burns, is one power, interest groups, the media, and the of the “most often observed and frequently Introduction electorate itself. Recent examples include the misunderstood phenomena on earth” (Burns, There is no doubt of the president’s power. Supreme Court forcing Richard Nixon to sur- 1985:3). Heinemann and Hessler agree that Though the office was created by men who render the Watergate tapes and the Monica to be a “strategic president” an occupant of “had their fingers crossed,” hoping that it Lewinsky incident almost bringing about the the White House must master four things: would not become too powerful political demise of Bill Clinton. (Koenig,1981), it has evolved into a substan- Given the constraints, the question essen- Policy (Vision) tial institution of considerable power, over- tially becomes: How can a president exert a The issue of “vision” gets at the heart of a seeing an enormous budget and a personnel powerful, positive influence and lead effec- president’s objectives and goals. Questions a system of some three million people. The tively? presidential candidate might ask under this president is able to shape the nation’s agenda, In answering this question, I will draw dimension include: Why am I running for gain regular access to the airwaves, command upon a framework developed by two execu- president anyway? Where do I want to lead a huge military operation, and even oversee a tives of the Carter presidency, Ben the nation? What do I want to accomplish nuclear arsenal. It is no wonder that Ameri- Heinemann and and Curtis Hessler. In their during the next four years? What are my most cans sometimes have a “John Wayne” image book, Memorandum to the President (1980), important goals? Values? Once elected, a of the presidency— the notion that a man can Heinemann and Hessler develop four com- president must continue to ask these ques- ride into town on a white horse and correct ponents of a strategic presidency. I will use tions, as he can otherwise easily lose control all of the nation’s problems (Smith, 1988). the Heinemann-Hessler framework to: of his agenda and, by extension, his purpose. And yet, those who have served in that • Compare three recent presidents regarding Readers familiar with the recent plethora office have quite a different view of the ex- their ability to conduct the office in a “strate- of management and leadership books on vi- tent of the president’s actual power. gic” fashion. sion will immediately recognize the theme embedded in these questions. The literature • Extend the “lessons” of the presidents to • A frustrated Lyndon Johnson remarked, is voluminous, but the point is simple and leadership generally, including managers and “The only power I have is nuclear, and I can- expressed eloquently by Warren Bennis: “The leaders in probation and pretrial services. not use it.” first ingredient of the effective leadership is a • Harry Truman talking about Eisenhower • Illustrate the critical role of context for lead- guiding vision. The leader has a clear idea of said, “Poor Ike. He’ll think it’s like the mili- ership—how a leader’s behavior is powerfully what he wants to do—professionally and per- tary. He’ll say do this or do that, and nothing influenced by the behavior of the person he sonally—and the strength to persist in the face will happen.” or she is replacing. of setbacks, even failures” (Bennis 1989). 28 FEDERAL PROBATION Volume 64 Number 1 Vision is a powerful instrument of political influence members of the opposition party, manage organizations and people. What was leadership—consider the force of John or even members of my own party who may a fairly lonely cry by Tom Peters and Charles Kennedy’s vision of “sending a man to the have their own political agendas? How will I Waterman in their 1982 pathbreaking book, moon and returning him safely to the earth”— lead the executive branch of government? In Search of Excellence, has become a deafen- and an equally powerful contributor to corpo- How will I manage the complex world of lob- ing critique of the slow, plodding, confused, rate success. According to the excellent research bying and influence pedaling? How will I and inefficient bureaucracy that we allegedly of Porras and Collins, visionary companies that work with the media? Will I rely on amateurs serve in all our organizations today. In their are clear on their “core ideology” consistently or professionals, friends or experts to get the 1980 Harvard Business Review article, “Man- outperform their competitors (1997). work done? How will I stay true to my agenda, aging Our Way to Economic Decline,” au- Probation and pretrial chiefs have been fulfill my campaign promises, and still have thors Robert Hayes and William Abernathy hard at work developing mission/vision state- time to reflect on and assess what I am do- said: ments for their offices. Consider this one from ing? How many issues will I tackle at one time? American management, espe- the Probation Office, Middle District of Again, those who toil in the vineyards of cially in the two decades following Florida (US Probation M/FL Office Annual organizational management and leadership or World War II, was universally admired Report, December, 1999): are familiar with recent literature will quickly for its strikingly effective performance. “Our mission is the protection of society appreciate the value of the political skills sug- But times change. An approach molded through submission of comprehensive re- gested here. For example, persuasion and ne- and shaped during stable decades may ports to the Court and improvement of the gotiations skills must be used effectively by be ill suited to a world characterized by conduct and conditions of the offender. We any leader to get things done. This is espe- rapid and unpredictable change, scarce accomplish this through the contributions of cially true in an era when the command men- energy, global competition for markets, all those who perform or support investiga- tality has fallen by the wayside. In their book, and a constant need for innovation tion and supervision services.” The Manager as Negotiator, authors David Lax (1980). and James Sibinius contend that, “Negotiat- “Our vision is to be an agency which: ing is a way of life for managers, whether rent- This same critique of government bureau- Shows respect to all offenders and recognizes ing office space, coaxing a scarce part from cracy underscores a good deal of the work of their ability to change; another division, building support for a new the more recent National Performance Re- marketing plan, or working out next year’s view launched by President Clinton and Vice Values each staff member and shows appre- budget. In these situations and thousands like President Gore in March 1993 to help reshape ciation for his or her contribution to our them, some interests collide. People disagree” and rethink our approach to public adminis- shared work; (Lax and Sibinius, 1986:1). tration (Siegel, 1996). Responds to changing needs and opportuni- Negotiating, influencing, building coali- In probation and pretrial services, chiefs ties with flexibility, responsiveness, and re- tions, enlisting the support of competent and their colleagues have begun aggressively sponsibility; deputies—all of these are critical skills of a exploring alternative management structures strategic leader. Any chief of probation or for their operations, structures built around Garners systematic feedback regularly to pretrial services will agree about the impor- total quality management concepts or team- guide our work…” tance of negotiation as a leadership tool in based management views (See Hendrickson, daily organizational life and in the special 1996). Politics (Strategy, moments when change management is re- Political Savvy) quired (Vernon and Byrd, 1996). Process (Decision Making) “Politics” captures the leader’s ability to trans- This dimension relates to the methods a presi- form vision into reality, to get things done. Structure dent or a leader uses to make and announce Mario Cuomo once said, “You can campaign (Management–Organization) decisions. He must consider whether he wants in poetry, but you must govern in prose.” This This aspect of leadership deals with issues of a great diversity of opinion, or a more nar- aspect of leadership requires the leader (in this organization and structure. The best leader- rowly drawn range of options. Relevant ques- case, the president) to develop a strategy.
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