Lee Harvey Oswald.
"Legacies linger from leadership distrust, causing scepticism and cynicism. It can have a profound impact on the leader and institution’s credibility, hindering future progress and cooperation"
👏 Happy Friday!
On this day, November 24, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald, President Kennedy’s ‘assassin’, was shot and murdered on live TV while being escorted by police after the assassination only a few days earlier. Oswald was shot by a distraught Dallas nightclub owner, Jack Ruby, who was tried, found guilty of murder, and sentenced to death. This compounded the shock and tragedy of President Kennedy’s death, further rattling the public and underscoring the chaotic, disjointed state of affairs in the wake of the Dallas shooting. Oswald’s murder robbed investigators of the chance to deeply question him and potentially uncover co-conspirators in a complex, multifaceted plot. Oswald also killed police prior to his arrest; he was a former U.S. Marine who had embraced Marxism and defected for a time to the Soviet Union. Oswald’s shocking public murder only intensified the already swirling speculation, controversy, and division surrounding Kenney’s assassination.
✅ Two days earlier, after being arrested and escorted by police officers, Oswald told waiting reporters, “I didn’t shoot anybody, . . I’m just a patsy.” Five days after Oswald’s assassination, President Johnson formed the Warren Commission, led by Chief Justice Earl Warren, to investigate President Kennedy’s death. The commission determined that Oswald acted alone and criticised the Secret Service for inadequate preparations and protection during JFK’s visit to Dallas. Sixty years later, the majority of Americans believe the assassination of President Kennedy was a conspiracy. Many believe the Warren Commission began with a conclusion and then worked to ensure that the available facts fit the pre-ordained determination. The use of selective testimony, missed evidence, and a rush to assure the public that Oswald was the lone gunman have failed. Legacies Linger from Leadership Distrust.
“Legacies linger from leadership distrust, causing scepticism and cynicism. It can have a profound impact on the leader and institution’s credibility, hindering future progress and cooperation"
👉 Leadership credibility is about trust, respect, and being believable, and this is especially important for leaders of change. Credibility is evident when employees believe what their leaders say and do. There is no inconsistency; there are no gaps. With this come followers who trust, respect, and believe in the change. Credibility is the foundation of leadership, and employees, more than anything, want to follow leaders who are credible. It is a defining trait of leadership; it requires constant self-reflection and self-awareness. Credibility starts by building positive relationships with the impacted employees and stakeholders early in the change journey. If the change leader does not have credibility, it is unlikely (no matter how well or often they model the new skills and behaviours) that employees will either follow or emulate them.
Have a fantastic weekend with the ones you love and care for, enjoy some fresh air, exercise, eat, drink and be happy.
Further Reading: Change Management Leadership - Leadership of Change Volume 4
Peter consults, speaks, and writes on the Leadership of Change®.
For further information please visit our websites:
Peter F Gallagher is a Change Management Global Thought Leader, Guru, Expert, International Speaker, Author and Leadership Alignment Coach.
Listed #1 by leadersHum Top 40 Change Management Gurus You Should Follow in 2022 (Mar 2022).
Ranked #1 Change Management Global Thought Leader: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Change Management (2023-2022-2021-2020) by Thinkers360.
Ranked #1 Business Strategy Global Thought Leader: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Business Strategy (2022) by Thinkers360.
Ranked #2 Leadership Global Thought Leader: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Leadership (Aug 2020) by Thinkers360.
Business Book Ranking
Change Management Behaviour - Leadership of Change® Volume 6, listed among the 50 Books from Thinkers360 Thought Leaders to read in 2022.
Change Management Adoption - Leadership of Change® Volume 5, listed among year-to-date’s (Jul 2021) most popular books on business and technology from Thinkers360 member thought leaders.
Change Management Handbook - Leadership of Change® Volume 3, listed among the 50 Business and Technology Books from Thinkers360 Thought Leaders to read in 2021.
Change Management Pocket Guide - Leadership of Change® Volume 2, ranked within the top 50 Business and Technology Books (Jan 2020) from Thinkers360 Thought Leaders.