Feedback

Your issue has a blatant lack of balance for Bush and his administration. This is a president who, even if you disagree with him, has seen this country through a great deal of challenges. Clinton's challenges loomed large, but were primarily self-induced.

Heather Shanks
Waukesha, Wisconsin

I received your so-called courage issue today, in which you profiled Republicans like John McCain and Barry Goldwater as courageous. Then there was "The Realist-Idealist Dilemma" -- a real laugh -- on George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan. Clinton, of course, makes your "cowards" list.

I used to think your magazine was smart and hip, but your choices are neither. I didn't realize you'd fallen for the old Republican party rubbish -- and that you'd flaunt it with the elections just a few months away.

Holly Hand
Boston, Massachusetts

Parting Company

In your September article, Bill George speaks the truth when it comes to describing today's CEOs ("Mr. Inside Speaks Out"). I recently resigned from a multibillion-dollar organization that I found to be unethical and deceitful toward its employees. As a manager, my convictions have always been based on honesty, and I left due to the CEO's obsession with quarterly earnings and disregard for the needs of employees or customers and what the company stands for and works toward: true values.

I believe that employees are a company's most valued asset and without them customers don't exist. If more CEOs were authentic leaders like George, we'd all be better off.

Name withheld
Operations manager
Boston, Massachusetts

Asking Our Leaders to Lead

Thank you for this timely and important topic! It is the demonstrated lack of courage from many of the folks in Washington that has helped drive what I believe is the financial and moral bankruptcy of this country. It is my general belief that the majority of those people we all depend on for responsible government and fair business practices are without courage. Government leaders lack the courage to acknowledge or to solve genuine problems in this country, while business leaders and corporate lobbyists act without the courage to place the welfare of our country above their own interests. I intend to read this issue cover to cover with the hope that it helps me to insist on courage not only from others, but from myself, too.

Paul J. McCallister
Owner and president
McCallister Consulting Group Ltd.
Centennial, Colorado

At the pinnacle of the categories of courageous people, in a class of their own, are whistle-blowers, wherever they appear -- in business, in government, in the press. For me, the latest, greatest courageous whistle-blower is Spc. Joseph M. Darby, the Army reservist who tipped off investigators to the inhuman treatment of Iraqi prisoners. Because of numerous death threats, he is now in protective military custody. I would like to see Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, or others in a position of power muster enough guts to speak out in his defense.

Herman M. Heyn
Baltimore, Maryland

Nature Vs. Nurture

What Mr. Halberstam describes in your September issue ("The Greatness That Cannot Be Taught") is passion and talent. Many professionals gifted in the hands-on work that their field requires are ill-suited to manage and lead others. The key to successful leadership is the ability to fundamentally change the way in which one contributes.

The greatness that Mr. Halberstam asserts cannot be taught must at minimum be encouraged, explained, and rewarded. The development of leadership must be an active process if new leaders, whether they're born or bred, are to be cultivated.

Jeff Lesher
Vice president, client solutions
Novations Group Inc.
McLean, Virginia

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