個案資料

Hillary Clinton was expected to succeed U.S. President Barack Obama, but not because of her character. Americans were expected to elect her as the candidate often seen as the “lesser of two evils,” but U.S. voters shocked the world by handing the Oval Office to Donald Trump. Being a good head of state requires being a good leader who goes about nation-building in a sustainable and socially responsible way, and this requires more than competencies and commitment. Good leadership requires having what Ivey calls “leader character” in order to ensure that competencies are deployed in ethical and effective ways for all stakeholders. Character in the White House matters more than ever before. After all, what mainly set America apart in the past was its ability to create wealth while maintaining a perceived commitment to religious tolerance, equality, and freedom. The pivotal role that character plays in good leadership has been articulated by Ivey research on the causes of the 2008 financial crisis. But as Ivey research notes, the expensive lessons learned in the aftermath of that crisis already appear forgotten as high-profile cases of appalling corporate behaviour continue to undermine capitalism. While Trump could prove to be a strong president who creates American jobs in the medium term, the example he has set as a leader is far from presidential and his election does not bode well for those who care about social responsibility and economic sustainability.

• Donald Trump
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Leadership Character
• Leadership crisis