Leadership traits essential for effective public policy implementation

Leadership in the Public Policy Making Process

It is often said that some great leaders are born, while others are made; and that both are successful because of the diverse setbacks they encounter -- these are what makes them succeed. This is particularly true when it comes to public administration because some of the most successful leaders possessed unique character traits that enable them to deal with the challenges involved in implementing policy measures and social reforms that contribute to the welfare of the populace. According to Solomon (2006), some leadership traits are natural, while others are a result of external influences. Nevertheless, successful leaders manage to combine personality, integrity, experience, intelligence and instinct, all of which help them achieve their goals.

One of the most important traits in the creation of public policy is resilience. Resilient leaders are able to recover quickly from setbacks, gain the courage to confront brutal acts, and have the courage to develop the self-awareness required to lead effectively (Aarts, Blais and Schmitt, 2011). For instance, Franklin Roosevelt, a popular American political leader and statesman, demonstrated admirable resilience by pursuing his passion for politics after he contracted polio in 1921, - a disease that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He was determined to walk again in order to vie for office, and this resilience increased the public's faith in his ability to lead, which would later help him create sound policies that made him one of the most powerful presidents in America.

Leaders should also be intelligent and they should posses skills that will help them interact well with the public and make sound decisions. A good example is Ronal Reagan, named one of the most impacting presidents in American history, who had majored in sociology and economics -- specialties that helped him formulate policies that reduced social programs and restrictions on business. He was also able to engage fellow economists and advocate for increased military spending and by 1983, the nation had started to recover from the depression. Reagan had also been an actor before he became a politician, and this made it easy for him to deliver moving speeches that would often convince the public to accept his policies. In addition to academic qualifications, leaders should also make learning a continuous process by studying other powerful leaders of the world, travelling widely, and evaluating foreign policies in order to acquaint themselves with other methods and techniques that can be applied in public governance.

Since political leaders play an active role in formulating laws and administrative process, they should have great experience in key areas of government. For example, due to Winston Churchill's strong military experience and background, he was able to rally the British people during World War II, which led his country to victory. It also helped him implement policies that saw Britain sustain colonial rule and promote social reforms. Moreover, leaders should also be courageous and persistent enough to push for policies that may not be popular with majority of the citizens. Barack Obama has been keen on his stance on immigration and health reforms, and the rights of gays and lesbians despite the criticisms he receives from the globe over.