David Gergen, a seasoned political analyst and former White House adviser to four presidents, shares valuable insights on supporting strong leadership. He emphasizes the importance of speaking truth to power and helping managers overcome challenges by leveraging their strengths. Gergen discusses the delicate balance of loyalty and honesty in leadership, drawing from his experiences during pivotal moments like the Watergate scandal. He also highlights the need to empower the next generation and embrace diverse voices for a brighter future in leadership.
28:46
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Nixon's Strategic Brilliance and Dark Side
David Gergen shares his experience working with Richard Nixon, highlighting Nixon's strategic brilliance.
Gergen emphasizes the importance of looking beyond the surface and helping leaders overcome their inner demons.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Restoring Clinton's Confidence
Gergen discusses working with Bill Clinton, noting Clinton's initial loss of confidence upon entering the presidency.
Gergen's team focused on restoring Clinton's self-assurance by playing to his strengths.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Cultivate Strengths, Not Weaknesses
Focus on building up your manager's strengths instead of trying to fix their weaknesses.
Create a supportive environment to allow their strengths to flourish naturally.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament
Kay Redfield Jamison
Kay R. Jamison
In this book, Kay Redfield Jamison examines the relationship between bipolar disorder and artistic creativity. She presents extensive case studies of historic figures such as Lord Byron, Vincent Van Gogh, and Virginia Woolf, who were likely suffering from manic-depressive illness. The book reveals the biological foundations of this disease and its impact on the lives and works of these artists, challenging the romantic notion of the 'melancholic artist' while highlighting the suffering and creative output associated with the condition.
David Gergen: Hearts Touched With Fire
David Gergen has served as a White House adviser to four US presidents of both political parties: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton. He then served as the editor of US News & World Report. For the past two decades, he has served as a professor of public service and founding director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School.
David is also a senior political analyst for CNN, where he is a respected voice in national and international affairs. He is the author of Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders Are Made*.
In this conversation, David and I discuss his years working in the White House for four different presidents. We explore what worked for David to be able to support a powerful person in being the best version of themselves. Plus, we discuss how to speak truth to power, the strategy of playing to strengths, and the critical importance of staying aligned with the big picture.
Key Points
Speaking up means you ensure that your manager has considered alternate perspectives.
Be aware of your own shortcomings so you do not bias your own advice.
You made need to help a manager overcome their own challenges. Help them play to their strengths.
Beware of managing up with arrogance. Instead, create zones and pathways that can help a manager make tough calls.
Making a suggestion in a short note can be one way to open up a tough conversation.
Keep the bigger, nobler motive in mind at all times. Advocate for that larger vision.
Resources Mentioned
Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders Are Made* by David Gergen
The Bin Laden Raid: Inside the Situation Room Photo
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
How to Start Managing Up, with Tom Henschel (episode 433)
Leadership in the Midst of Chaos, with Jim Mattis (episode 440)
How to be Diplomatic, with Susan Rice (episode 456)
Your Leadership Motive, with Patrick Lencioni (episode 505)
Discover More
Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.
Coaching for Leaders 
