Exceptional Leadership

Gilbert W. Fairholmis Emeritus Professor of Public Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University, and was Adjunct Professor of Management Systems, University of Richmond, and has served as Visiting Professor of Political Science at Hampden-Sydney College and Averett University. He was a Senior Fellow of the Center for Excellence in Municipal Management, GWU. Professor Fairholm has extensive background as a government executive serving as Administrator of State and Local Finance, Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Deputy Administrative Director, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Deputy Director, New York State Office for Community Affairs, Principle Management Analyst, New York State Division of the Budget, and Director of Management Improvement, New York State Department of Transportation. He served for 4 years as City Manager in Layton, Utah. Gil has consulted extensively in government, university and business environments. He headed a university-based consultation service giving advice and policy guidance to top-level African local government officials; developed the first urban government structure in Northern Nigeria. He analyzed operations, decision systems, policy implementation, and personnel and financial relationships. He has significant experience consulting with Virginia state and local governments. Gil also developed policy proposals respecting community relations in urban renewal agencies in Philadelphia; prepared program budgeting system for all Puerto Rican cities.Much of this work has been developmental in nature, e.g. creating 3 university leadership programs; serving as first city manager in a new Council-Manager city; creating of a system of urban government forms for Northern Nigeria where none existed before; consolidating transportation-related functions in New York into a new department, defining its goals and describing its proposed structure and procedures and coordinating new program and systems developments. Professor Fairholm is the author of over 150 articles, reports and analyses. His 13 previous books are a direct result of his practical work, but reflect a theory-building, even a philosophical bent. They represent a culmination of his experience and personal growth in the field of leadership. All have found place in standard leadership bibliographies.

• AcknowledgmentsChapter 1: Introduction:American Exceptional LeadershipThe Responsibilities of Both Leader and LedThe Founding Documents and the Values and Principles Contained ThereinAbout America ExceptionalismChapter 2: Enduring Values That Made America AmericanThe Scope of ConcernNatural rightsUniversal Human EqualityOpportunityFacilitating HappinessLiberty and IndependenceFreedomFairnessChapter 3: Enduring Principles of Leadership ActionLeadership Principles Embedded in the ConstitutionNurturing Unity—“We the People”Justice, Happiness and Peace—“establish justice, insure domestic tranquility”Defense—“provide for the common defense…”Facilitating Commerce—“promote the general welfare…”Individual Freedom and Independence—“the blessings of liberty…”Organizing Principles Embedded in the Preamble of the ConstitutionConsent of the GovernedThe Separation of PowersChecks and Balances3Division of Powers and ResponsibilitiesExternal Agency [Foreign] EntanglementsFactional Negotiations and CompromisePART I: The Formative YearsIntroductionChapter 4: America’s Independent SpiritYankee DoodleBackground and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 5: Unity, The Albany Plan of Union, 1754Background and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 6: Inherent Rights to Property and HappinessThe Virginia Bill of Rights, June 12, 1776Background and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 7: The Preeminence of Natural RightsJuly 4, 1776, The Unanimous Declaration Of The Thirteen United States Of AmericaBackground and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 8: Moral Leadership through ServiceThe Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom, 1786Background and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 9: Organizing for Union, Justice, and the General WelfareThe Constitution of the United StatesThe Bill of RightsBackground and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersPART II: Development of a New NationIntroduction and CommentaryThe Northwest Ordinance of 1787Federalist Paper No. 10 (1787-8)The United States Judiciary Act of 1789George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796)Thomas Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address (1803)The Star-Spangled Banner (1814)Chapter 10: Overcoming Internal ConflictFederalist #10 - The Size and Variety of the Union as a Check on Faction, Daily Advertiser, New York: New York.Thursday, November 22, 1787, James MadisonBackground and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 11: Finding Liberty via Organizational LeadershipAn Act to Establish The Judicial Courts Of The United States. 1789Background and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 12: Linking Religion, Morality, and Education to LeadershipThe Northwest Ordinance, July 13, .1787: An Ordinance for The Government Of The Territory Of The United States Northwest Of The River OhioBackground and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 13: Preserving Unity from Internal and External RivalriesGeorge Washington’s Farewell Address, 1796Background and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 14: Equal and Exact Justice to AllThomas Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address, 1801Background and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 15: Coordinating Leadership Under LawMarbury v. Madison, 1803Background and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 16: Leading with Courage, Liberty, and Continuity“The Star-Spangled Banner” - 1814Background and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersPART III: The Early National Period 1816-1855Introduction and CommentaryAn Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves of 1807The Monroe Doctrine (1823)Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831)“My Country, 'Tis of Thee" (1831)Chapter 17: Prioritizing Freedom over ProfitAct To Prohibit the Importation of Slaves 1807Background and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 18: Protecting Prosperity and Innate FreedomsMadison's War Message. June 1, 1812Background and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 19: Seeking Unity amid DiversityReport and Resolutions of the Hartford ConventionBackground and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 20: Leading toward the FutureThe Monroe Doctrine--Extracts From President Monroe's Seventh Annual Message To Congress. December 2, 1823Background and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 21: Balance in Leading Free and Independent People FairlyCherokee Nation V. Georgia 1831Background and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 22: Leadership is Changing Attitudes"My Country, 'Tis of Thee"Background and ProvisionsImplications for LeadersChapter 23: American Leadership Has a Paper TrailCore Values That Still Inform American LeadershipHuman RightsBuilding UnityThe Meaning of EqualityHappinessLiberty and IndependenceChapter 24: Principles Guiding Effective Human RelationshipsExceptional Leadership Take Place in Interpersonal RelationshipsSeparation of Powers and Checks and BalancesMorality and ReligionFreedomWellbeingNegotiation and CompromiseExtra-organizational RelationsThe Meaning of JusticeBibliography Founding Documents ReferencesLeadership References

A great deal has been written on the topic of American exceptionalism in recent years, yet Fairholm (emer., Virginia Commonwealth Univ.) carves out a distinctive study of what is exceptional about American leadership. Rather than offer a formal study of mechanics and techniques, Fairholm focuses instead on the values and principles of American leadership and how those things have contributed to the evolution of leadership across American history. What makes American leadership exceptional, according to Fairholm, is how the American founders built leadership principles around the values of human interaction, values that include natural rights, liberty for all, and individual independence. These principles are then reinforced by an American culture that is steeped in values, though Fairholm cautions that America has reached a crossroads regarding its principled commitments. The book's greatest strength and weakness is its extensive inclusion of primary source documents to illustrate the leadership values and principles of the past. The documents bring to life the arguments that Fairholm makes throughout the book. . . . Summing Up: Recommended. General readers and undergraduate students.