Page 130 - Leadership Secrets of Hillary Clinton

MAKING YOUR WORDS COUNT

to do it. Because of their positional power, they most often
get compliance from those they are leading. A resilient
leader is looking for more than compliance. Hillary’s goal is
commitment that encourages people to act. I call this
inspiring action.
Have you ever noticed that great leaders communicate
in a very positive way? Even their tone conveys a “can do”
attitude. And they use this empowering optimism in two
ways: they focus on the positive aspects of people and on
hopes for the future. On September 11, Rudy Giuliani,
mayor of New York City, was addressing a city in crisis
when he responded to a reporter’s question about New
Yorkers and how they were dealing with the terrorist
attacks. Giuliani said, “They are just the most wonderful
people in the world. We have without any doubt the best
police department, fire department, the best police officers,
the best fire officers, the best emergency workers of any
place in the whole world.” He then shifted and made his
communication focus on the future. He said, “The people
in New York City will be whole again. We are going to
come out of this emotionally stronger, politically stronger,
much closer together as a city, and we’re going to come out
of this economically stronger, too.”
Hillary used this same kind of empowering optimism in
her commencement speech at New York University when
she said, “As secretary of state, I am well aware of the chal-
lenges that we face. You, as new graduates, and your gen-

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