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Do We Have What It Takes?
October 2001
I had the occasion recently to address the students of Westminster School in Simsbury,
Conn. and share some ideas about leadership. Given what happened to our great nation on
September 11, my remarks of 15 minutes or so were attended to with great interest and
well-received.
The school's administration had set aside an hour for my address, and since I never speak that
long -- not even close to tell the truth -- I decided to field some questions about leadership or
whatever else might be on their young minds. They asked some good questions about the seven
qualities of person I had identified in my remarks -- one's "leadership fingerprint" -- but then, not to
my surprise, they wanted to talk about September 11 and what the war on terror might mean for
our nation's leaders. They had some very good questions and observations. I was impressed
with these high school students. They were informed, curious, patriotic.
As we neared the end of the hour, one young man asked whether I thought, as a student of
leadership, President George W. Bush "had what it took" to lead our nation through this troubled
time. I responded by noting that while I am neither Republican nor Democrat, I believed our
President does, in fact, have what it takes to provide thoughtful, courageous, and informed
leadership for the country.
At that point I paused for what must have seemed an eternity for these young men and women
from New England. I then suggested the real question, the more important question, might be
whether we, as citizens of this great nation will “have what it takes.” Do we have what will be
required to be successful in a campaign against a threat unlike any other conflict America has
faced?
As I pondered the challenge that lies before, it led to a series of more specific questions:
“Do we have the patience and determination to settle in for the long haul in a situation where a
definitive clear-cut victory may prove elusive?”
“Do we have the toughness to make sacrifices in our level of comfort, convenience, and our
accustomed way of doing things?”
"Do we have the strength to resist the temptation to judge people by the color of their skin, the
manner of their dress, their religious choice, their nation of origin?"
“Do we have the ability to be optimistic and committed in the face of setbacks that well may involve
further American casualties?”
I think and hope that the answer to these questions is yes. One thing I know for sure: our parents’
generation by their actions responded affirmatively to all these questions and more. I believe their
example will inspire and guide us as we face the challenges ahead.
My trip to New England was invigorating and instructive. The chance to visit with this rising
generation of students was a highlight for me. It always is.
These young people will in a few short years take their place in a world that will be profoundly
influenced by our decisions and actions during this time. And, so, with a heightened sense of
purpose, I will continue to think about, write about, and speak about leadership.
--John Roush