Leadership qualities: what matters more?

Question

There are really two essential parts to a leader:

1. Their "people" skills.
2. Administrative skills.

My question is, which is more important?

During the depression, FDR had a clear charismatic approach that inspired hope in people. Both he and Hubert Hoover were less than average administrators and Hubert was probably better. But most would agree that he was the better president by far. Being able to work well with others is very important as is being able to inspire hope. On the other side of the political aisle, we find Reagan in the same category.

On the administrative side, we have people like James Madison (wrote almost the entire constitution). He and other presidents were DOERS more than talkers, but often had trouble getting people to go with them. Washington was similar. Not terribly charismatic, he led by action and example.

Which is more important? Are they equally important? Does the circumstance matter and alter degrees of importance?

Answer 1

I think you have to have a little of both. Having good people skills will endear your underlings to you. Having good administrative skills but little people skills will probably not serve so well except for those people, like you, who apparently have a brain and realize that the administrative areas are equally as important

Answer 2

At this point in politics people skills are way more important. To be a great leader you need to get support from both sides of the aisle and this is accomplished by reaching out to the people like Kennedy, Reagan or Clinton has done. I don't know so much about Kennedy since he was before my time, but Reagan and Clinton would never be accused of being Administratively strong yet they had good people to get the job done.

Answer 3

When the nation is out of control only administrative is important, the ability to execute authority. In the circumstance of resolving fears, it's people skills the ability to listen, think, and then act keenly. Courage to stand for what is right is important as knowing what is right to lead, http://www.voteprimous.com

Answer 4

The most important part of leadership is being able to
inspire people to follow you, you do this by being honest
an open about everything in your life, the rough with the
smooth..................Good leaders are also able to listen
and take direction from others....While acknowledging
other people, you must not give in to them, now desire
is a big part of leadership, how strongly your heart is
connected to what you are doing.........................................

Being charismatic is about being able to roll with the
punches, being able to get up once you have been
punched, still being able to live and thrive even though
someone has punched dirty great holes in your heart
by rejecting you.....................................................................

Taking rejection and turning it into success, finding a niche
and lovingly trucking on, never giving up, never giving in
on the points you want to make............................................

Taking those who hate you and turning them into friends,
knowing that in some instances you have to be a warrior
and brave enough to stand up for someone else you love,
even though you do not know that person............................

Letting bravery govern your life, trying not to let the fact
that you are hurt and cry stand in the way of what you
are striving for throughout your life, using common
sense to stay alive, having a group of guardian angels
up there, who pick you up and dust you down when you
fall............................................................................................

Having an education that distinguishes you but does not make
you impervious to the hurt and pain of others, always being
able to see others, being a visible and decent part of someone
elses life.....................................................................................

Always acknowledging what others do for you, and always paying
it forward, if someone does something for you, do something for
someone else...........Only givers can be leaders, if you are a
despot within your life you cannot govern anything or anyone............................................................................................

Use the time to love everyone, turn the lies in others eyes around,
always go the extra mile for your friends, and even if they do not
know it others will follow you, as you move through their lives
and you through theirs................................................................................................

Always accept that even though people are critical of you, that
you may be more critical of yourself, there is a thin line between
a desperate need for love, and a person who is so inspiring
that people actually are drawn to you, for you to lead, people
have to love you as much as you do them, you have to accept
that although you sometimes judge, and are tough that you can
also show your vulnerabilities, even the strong can be vulnerable........................................................................................

I met many men and women over the last 12 years to 44 years
who are true leaders, and do not know they are.............................
always deal with everything that comes your way in a cogent
and coherent way, discovering someone who knows you are
vulnerable, does not weaken you, it may strengthen you...................................................................................................

Do not accept failure.......................................................................
in others or yourself, go out and make it right, and get back on that horse and ride..........................................................................

Answer 5

While both are good skills, I will have to go with the administrative skills. They certainly don't get the press, but more people are affected.

Answer 6

People skills. They can always get administrative people to do that for them.