A new Showtime series brings to light a trio of female leaders who each assumed a role opposite the highest office in the land—yet despite its prestige has come with expectations to be relegated to the sidelines. U.S. first ladies throughout history have traditionally been behind the scenes, peripheral to the center of the political action.
Yet as the series reveals, these women bring their own brand of leadership that requires a brilliance of its own. ‘The First Lady’ focuses on Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Michelle Obama, who each brought unique and powerful attributes of leadership that have carried over through the decades and can impart valuable lessons to women in other leadership positions. Here are some points that stood out to me about what we can learn from these powerful leaders:
They Were Authentic Leaders
Long before it became a trend to lead with a self-aware genuineness and transparency, some of the most impactful first ladies were already bringing these qualities to their role. Authentic leaders stand out for blending a strong sense of purpose with uncompromising values, the ability to build true connections in their relationships, and self-discipline to keep working toward their goals regardless of the challenges that come their way. Another tenet of authentic leadership is the ability to show compassion for others and help people reach their goals, which leads to trust and loyalty. As first ladies, Roosevelt, Ford, and Obama each stayed true to their core values and reflected an authenticity about their own struggles and obstacles, which earned them respect and admiration.
They Were Resilient Leaders
Each of the first ladies featured in the new series demonstrated incredible resilience. Resilient leaders don’t succumb to disappointment, but instead study their missteps and learn from them, emerging stronger as they move forward. Betty Ford, for example, was confronted by her family about her addiction to prescription drugs and alcohol, a situation that might have leveled less resilient leaders. Instead, Ford not only took the high road by seeking treatment for these problems, but she also began to speak out about her personal experience, sharing her imperfections and thus allowing others to feel more comfortable being open and honest about their own challenges.
They Differentiated Themselves from Their Husbands
It would be easier in the role of first lady to fade into the background, merely shadowing and puppeting your spouse, the president of the United States. Yet Roosevelt, Ford, and Obama each had their own brand and leveraged it in a way that was uniquely their own, thus serving the greater causes of the country in a way that not only amplified their husbands’ presidencies, but created their own legacies as women leaders. Each found a way to be much more than a political spouse or mouthpiece for the president. Before coming to the White House, they were humble yet found a way to weave their unique strengths into their roles. Michelle Obama, for example, used her own hard work, drive, charisma, and communication skills to start important campaigns such as Let’s Move, which aimed to end childhood obesity, a program that stood out in its own right with her unique stamp on it, reflecting her values.
They Leveraged “Level 5 Leadership”
In his book Good to Great, author Jim Collins describes a type of leader who displays “a powerful mixture of personal humility and indomitable will.” On his website, Collins describes Level 5 leaders as “incredibly ambitious, but their ambition is first and foremost for the cause, for the organization and its purpose, not themselves.” Their combination of these qualities and their grace under fire earned each of them a place in history that’s distinct from their the traditional role of first ladies as political wives—instead, what we think of when we hear each of their names is their outstanding leadership.
Contact me at info@shambaughleadership.com or link to SHAMBAUGH’s offerings to learn more about SHAMBAUGH’s Coaching and Development Programs for Women, Accelerating Gender Equity, Inclusive Culture, and Fundamentals of Leadership in a Post Covid Work Environment. I’d be happy to speak at your company on how women can champion their life/career and lean into their highest leadership.
Rebecca Shambaugh is President of SHAMBAUGH Leadership, and Founder of Women in Leadership and Learning. Rebecca is a contributing writer to Harvard Business Review, the HuffPost, and a TEDx speaker. Rebecca has been featured on CNBC, Forbes, Training Magazine, and US News and World Report. She is author of the best-selling books It’s Not a Glass Ceiling, It’s a Sticky Floor and Make Room for Her: Why Companies Need an Integrated Leadership Model to Achieve Extraordinary Results.