John F. Kennedy

Full Name

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Lifespan

46 years (1917 – 1963)

Term

35th President (D) 1961 – 1963

CHARISMATIC - possessing a personal quality that others find attractive; smooth, charming, magnetic, influential. 

Charisma may be one of the most important leadership traits that separate the good from the great. The most successful leaders usually demonstrate charisma. Charismatic leaders have a certain magnetism about them, a charming personality and appeal that less successful leaders lack. Leaders who possess great charisma possess great influence; their ability to attract and compel followers enables them to accomplish remarkable things.

ELOQUENT - having and exercising the power of articulate, forceful and appropriate speech; expressive, moving.

— Eloquent leaders understand and leverage the power of effective communication. Armed with a strong vocabulary, practiced delivery, and powerful points, eloquent leaders can use words to inspire their followers and accomplish significant goals. Eloquent leaders are able to effectively articulate critical instructions, important priorities, broad visions, and new ideas to those whom they lead.

INSPIRING - possessing the ability to stimulate, influence and arouse others to action; exciting, visionary, engaging, compelling.

There is no motivating factor as powerful as true inspiration. While reward-based or fear-based motivation yields limited results, inspiration is longer lasting, more deeply rooted, and internally driven rather than externally driven. Inspiring leaders are able to stir the hearts and minds of their followers, compelling them to action with greater loyalty and enthusiasm than achieved by any other sort of motivator.

COURAGEOUS - able and willing to face difficulty, pain, danger, etc., without or despite fear; brave, daring, bold, intrepid, resolved, determined, fearless.

Courageous leadership takes boldness, fortitude, and steadfast resolve. Courageous leaders possess a willingness to accept risk, endure consequences, and withstand adversity. When bolstered by unflagging courage, leaders accomplish greater things and inspire courage in those they lead.

JFK Quotes

The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need men who can dream of things that never were, and ask ‘why not?’”

Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.”

There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.”

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

LOCATION: Boston, MA

OPENED: October 20, 1979