Shouldn’t every leader read Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” for its studies in the dangers of tyranny and betrayal and hubristic ambition, as well as the power and limits of rhetoric? Of course it’s also a pleasure to read, chock-full of great speeches and sweet turns of phrase that seem to comment on every facet of human existence.— Chang-rae Lee

...Gone are the days of decades of top-down leadership, now replaced by a need for charismatic personalities who are well-skilled at fundraising while navigating internal needs and external stakeholders, as well as politics and long-standing traditions.

Obama refused to be extorted into accepting a GOP-authored plan, and legitimizing the kind of brinkmanship that has defined the GOP’s House majority since 2011. In that sense his refusal to negotiate in October wasn’t a failure of leadership, but precisely the tough-minded act of leadership Republicans needed to reach an understanding of the limits of their power.

The real gender issue isn't a lack of qualified women, but a surplus of unqualified men.

When faced with complexity and constant change...what do the best leaders and teams do? They iterate. They invent. They improvise. They string together a syncopated and rhythmic way of working...

Adam Bradley, associate professor of African American literature at the University of Colorado...believes rap contains lessons in charismatic leadership they don't teach in business school.

We celebrate the words and deeds of great leaders and seek to emulate their achievements. Yet recalling the grim historical record of the destruction wreaked by powerful, charismatic leaders, we above all long for good leaders...