[April 27, 2025] A few years ago, I was caught off-guard by a question from an Army sergeant who asked me what I thought was the least important leadership trait. This was a question that both surprised me and that I had difficulty answering. Of course, being a leader means balancing an array of traits that each adds to the quality of a leader. After a short time, I told him that, in my opinion, it is a person’s reputation that is the least important leadership trait.
Then, I explained myself to the sergeant and the group of soldiers. If a person is a truly good leader and is able to inspire others, be honest and open, and communicate well, then even a poor reputation can be overcome.
For a good leader, overcoming a poor reputation or even an unsuitable or inaccurate reputation means professionally going about one’s life, a way that is characteristic of any successful leader. The best leaders do well at prevailing over obstacles, and a reputation is something that they can change.
I should not be misread here that reputation is unimportant; far from the truth. A leader’s reputation is essential to how others perceive that leader and, thus, how easy or difficult it will be to carry out their job. However, in the overall scheme of things, a leader’s reputation can be seen as either an obstacle to rise above or as a vehicle to help carry them. The former is something we all would like to avoid since leadership in itself is difficult.
A good example of a poor reputation that was overpowered is past U.S. President Bill Clinton. He had a very poor reputation for his sexual appetite and for striking deals that undermined both his friends and the U.S. Congress. Clinton was attacked viciously in the press and by many on both sides of the political spectrum. Yet, he was able to conquer that problem through an outgoing and friendly personality, showing his generosity and his eagerness to engage people to have them believe they mattered to him.
It took a long time but he managed it with gusto. I think that is why so many people like him personally, regardless of his past or politics. Bill Clinton, as a leader, was successful despite an unsavory reputation, and he has shown us that a reputation, even a poor one, can be overcome through hard work and time.
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Sir, I’m new to your website on leadership. I hope to make some contribution, in my own way. I’m from New Orleans LA and lived there all my life. I was never in the military, and that I do regret but I’ve been in several team leader positions in a moderate sized company that sells medical supplies. I’m now starting to go back and read some of your earlier articles and I do like them. Call me “Jake.”
Welcome “Jake” !!
I’m not surprised, folks! I know Gen. Satterfield’s style by now, and his saying “reputation” as the least important leadership characteristic makes sense to me.
Good prediction, Otto.
A bad reputation can be overcome. But, sir, it’s going to take a hell of a crap load of work.
An interesting take on an old subject. It doesn’t matter to most of us. Reputation does mean alot and a poor reputation can make it exceedingly difficult to get a job when a poor reputation precedes you. That means we should not ignore the implications of reputation but, as Gen. Satterfield points out, you can make positive changes to your reputation by doing things properly and acting as a good person. Great article, thanks, Gen. S.
Nice one. Surprised me, Gen. Satterfield. I’d thought perhaps personal grooming habits or something like that. I do understand your thinking here because you can change your reputation through hard work, like being hard core honest, fair, and generous. Those are the kind of behaviors that can quickly improve your standing. 🕷🕷🕷🕷
REPUTATION, I WOULDN’T HAVE GUESSED THIS.
Same here, Sweeney. 👍
I think most of us will agree that Gen. Satterfield is correct. Even if we had not known it openly, I do think most of us will understand it.