Faith, Empathy, and Soft Power: Leadership Lessons from a Rock & Roll President
Courtney Teague, EdD, ACC
Empowering Leaders & Teams | AI-Driven Growth, Optimized Profit & Impact | Social Impact Advocate | Award-Winning Consultant, ICF Credentialed Coach, Keynote Speaker | DiSC & Five Behaviors Partner| Futurist
On a recent Delta flight, I had the chance to watch Jimmy Carter: The Rock & Roll President, and it was more than just a documentary it was a masterclass in leadership. As we step into 2025, reflecting on leadership feels timely, and President Carter offers us lessons that transcend time.
Jimmy Carter’s presidency wasn’t just about policies; it was about people. He exemplified what it means to lead with heart, humility, and wisdom. Here are three of his leadership superpowers that struck me deeply, and I believe they are as relevant today as ever:
Faith as a Guiding Principle
President Carter’s faith wasn’t just personal it was foundational to his leadership. His belief in serving others and striving for justice inspired his approach to some of the most challenging moments in history. Whether negotiating peace or working with Habitat for Humanity, Carter’s unwavering faith shaped decisions that prioritized humanity over politics. As leaders, are we grounded in principles that guide our actions? What “north star” keeps us aligned?
Empathy and the Power of Connection
Carter had an incredible ability to see people, truly see them, and relate to their experiences. His empathy broke barriers and allowed him to lead with a deep understanding of others’ needs. A story that stood out in the film was his deployment of Andrew Young as UN Ambassador to Africa with a single, profound question for leaders there: “What do you expect of this administration?” Imagine asking that of your teams or stakeholders how much could we accomplish if we started by listening?
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Leveraging Soft Power for Big Impact
In a world that often prioritizes hard power force, dominance, or control Carter showed the transformative impact of soft power. His ability to build relationships, foster trust, and negotiate with compassion created lasting change. Whether brokering peace accords or engaging with the global community, Carter demonstrated that leadership through influence can be far more effective than through authority. How often do we pause to consider the strength of trust and relationship-building in our leadership toolkit?
As we enter this new year, Carter’s leadership serves as a challenge to us all:
Can we lead with faith, empathy, and the quiet strength of soft power? Can we listen more, connect deeper, and build stronger bridges?
Leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room it’s about being the one who hears every voice. And as Carter’s life reminds us, leadership is not just about what you achieve in office but the legacy you leave in people’s hearts.
What lessons from Carter’s leadership resonate with you?
Let’s start this year by reflecting on how we can lead with greater purpose and impact. Share your thoughts below!
#leadership #jimmycarter #serve
Product Development Transportation Program Leader
1 个月Courtney Teague, EdD, ACC, posed a timely question about leadership as we step into 2025: 'What are your leadership superpowers?' I have long admired President Carter for his authenticity and his commitment to making a difference. As for my own superpowers, I believe they are empathy, resilience, and a strong drive to help others achieve their goals. As a leader, I think it's crucial to guide others in setting goals for their future and to encourage them to explore education and leadership opportunities that will help pave the way for their success. Thanks for asking.
Leadership Trainer ● Keynote Speaker ● Coach ● Everything DiSC? & 5 Behaviors? Authorized Partner ● Artist
2 个月Thanks for sharing! Its a great summary of Jimmy Carters leadership that I didn't know about. I think all 3 super powers listed make for a great leader, truly. I have those same ones on my list, along with creativity, assuming positive intent and adaptability - seeing new ways to solve problems or do new things, adapting easily to the circumstances that arise, while giving someone the benefit of the doubt. After all, life is constantly changing - you can fight it or you can focus your energy on building the evolution together. I like the latter!