From the U.S. Senate to Diplomacy—John Kerry’s Leadership Lessons
Feb 7, 2024
26:25
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John Kerry, Former U.S. Secretary of State and U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, shares leadership lessons including influencing people, recovering from defeats, handling leadership transitions, and staying focused on long-term goals. Topics range from negotiation strategies to resilience, planning, and diplomacy.
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Quick takeaways
The importance of influence, clear communication, and staying focused on long-term goals in leadership.
Building relationships, understanding others, and finding common ground are crucial for effective decision-making and diplomacy.
Deep dives
Leadership Lessons from John Kerry
John Kerry, former U.S. Secretary of State and special presidential envoy for climate, shares leadership lessons he learned over the years, including the importance of influence, bouncing back from defeats, and staying focused on long-term goals. He highlights the need for clear communication, defined goals, and respect from leaders. Kerry stresses the importance of surrounding oneself with knowledgeable and independent thinkers who offer different perspectives. He emphasizes the value of bipartisan cooperation and compartmentalization for effective decision-making and diplomacy. Additionally, he encourages individuals to persevere in the face of setbacks and not let failures deter them from their goals.
Building Relationships and Balancing Career and Family
Kerry discusses the significance of building relationships and creating connections, both in politics and personal life. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and empathizing with others, working collaboratively, and finding common ground. Kerry also shares his personal experience of balancing a demanding career in politics with family commitments. He highlights the importance of being present for family moments, making sacrifices to prioritize family time, and building a supportive community around oneself. He also underscores the value of resilience and remaining focused on long-term goals despite setbacks.
Business's Role in Society and Advice for Aspiring Public Servants
Kerry recognizes the significant role that businesses play in society, praising their ability to drive change and address societal challenges in a more decisive and agile manner. He emphasizes the responsibility of corporations to be corporate citizens and contribute positively to communities and public issues. Additionally, Kerry offers advice to individuals interested in public service, advising them to consider gaining financial stability before entering public life. He encourages individuals to engage in civic activities, build relationships, and focus on making a positive impact in their communities.
John Kerry has spent more than 40 years in public service, including several decades in the U.S. Senate, leading the U.S. Department of State from 2013 to 2017, and more recently serving as U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.
In this episode, he shares the leadership lessons he learned over many years of leadership in the public sector—from influencing people to recovering from defeats, handling leadership transitions, and staying focused on important long-term goals.
HBR On Leadership curates the best case studies and conversations with the world’s top business and management experts, to help you unlock the best in those around you. New episodes every week.