Glendower: I can call the spirits from the vasty deep.
Hotspur: Why, so can I, or so can any man; But will they come when you do call for them?
— William Shakespeare, Henry the Fourth, Part One
See my article in the Washington Post, in which I explore the definition of a leader as one who can rally others. What does it take to do so? Certainly, it at least takes moral authority, a credible plan and vision, and good communication skills. I conclude with some implications for business schools:
“An important challenge facing business schools today is to rise above merely imparting tradecraft (“know what”) and instead to develop leaders who can make a difference in the world (“know how”). Such know-how should embrace the three factors of moral authority, planning, and good communication. It is not sufficient to place a call to the spirits from the vasty deep. One needs to know how to get them to come.”