Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Leadership Lessons For Corporate Executives

Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s announcement yesterday that she will not seek a leadership post in next year’s Republican-controlled House of Representatives was the capstone to a storied career in political leadership.

“For me, the hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect,” she said in a speech on the House floor on Thursday. “And I am grateful that so many are ready and willing to shoulder this awesome responsibility,” the New York Times reported.

Pelosi’s “momentous decision to step down from Democratic leadership marks a watershed moment in Washington politics, sending tremors across a Congress where she’s guided her party for the last two decades,” The Hill reported.

Pelosi's actions and decisions under the harsh glare of the public spotlight over the past 20 years provide several essential leadership lessons for company executives.

Perseverance

“The first lesson business leaders can learn from Speaker Pelosi is perseverance. She has withstood a generation of personal attacks and demonization from the GOP that have led to death threats and the recent attack on her husband, yet she has never cowered, and she has never blinked,” Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, and former mayor of New Orleans.

“Her determination and skill shepherded the Affordable Care Act through Congress when nearly every other member wanted to abandon it. She has been fearless and fierce.

Toughness Without Personal Nastiness

“The second [lesson] is toughness without personal nastiness,” he commented. “She has risen above the rancor, and insults leveled at her without responding in kind. She exudes grace and is the personification of the iron fist in a velvet glove. It has been a privilege [for me ] to know her and work with her.”

Power, Poise, And Persistence

“Leadership requires power, poise, and persistence. Nancy Pelosi modeled all three qualities— always walking the talk,” Wendy L. Patrick, a business leadership lecturer in the management department at San Diego State University’s Fowler College of Business, said via email.

“And as exemplified by the length of her tenure, leadership requires both energy and engagement with both sides of the aisle. Nancy Pelosi modeled these traits by example—often working all night long in pumps and pearls at 82 years old alongside her colleagues, many of whom were several decades her junior,” she observed.

Pelosi’s 35 years in Congress provided her with insights into the dynamics and challenges “of working in a contentious high-pressure environment, even while experiencing intense criticism and sometimes even threats. True leaders stay the course, which [she] has done through the years,” Patrick noted.

Grace Under Pressure

“Despite some of the anger that has been directed towards her, she has consistently shown grace under pressure. I believe she has always done her best to listen and understand and make decisions from her moral convictions,” Stephanie Scheller. CEO and founder of Grow Disrupt, said via email.

“She's accomplished an incredible amount, and that ability to listen and stay forward-focused has given her an incredible edge in keeping her party united,” she pointed out.

Influence Isn't Alway Flashy

“Business leaders can learn a lot from Nancy Pelosi's leadership style. Many people underestimated Nancy's ability because she wasn't a flashy and highly charismatic leader who gave world-class speeches, which are common among memorable leaders,” Mary Guirovich and leadership coach and CEO of My Promotion Plan, said via email.

“Rather, she focused on relationships and small meetings; she built trust, transferred a vision of the future, and gained buy-in that led to many great accomplishments during her time in office,” she commented.

Trust And Consistency

“Trust and consistency are two of the most powerful attributes of effective leaders because it strengthens the relationship making future partnerships easier,” Guirovich noted.

Stay Focused

“As a result of Speaker Pelosi's tenure, business leaders can learn to ignore the noise and stay focused on precise objectives,” Stacy Rosenberg, an associate teaching professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College, said via email.

“She visited Taiwan in support of human rights despite pressure from both the Chinese government and warnings from U.S. officials because she believed it was the right action to take. Applying ethical principles to decision-making —no matter the external criticism—is an attribute worthy of praise,” she pointed out.

Build Consensus

“Pelosi was also a dogged builder of consensus,” Rosenberg said. “She knew exactly how much support was needed to move an initiative forward and never wavered from her agenda. She secured the success of bills ranging from infrastructure improvement to restrictions on deadly weapons. Executives who know what it takes to get the job done stay the course until their goals are met.”

Establish Coalitions

“Nancy Pelosi is an excellent example of how to establish a coalition when you're a leader, whether you're planning a protest or advocating for a hazardous project at work,” Jim Snediker, co-founder and CEO of Stock Mfg. Co. said via email.

“Developing a rapport with your team can help you persuade them to work as a unit and accomplish your objectives. You will comprehend that speaking gently while an army is at your back carries farther than shouting by yourself.

He noted that “all forms of leadership are built on connections, and stronger relationships produce the most influence that can be used to achieve the best outcomes.”

Build Unity

“The greatest lesson any business leader can learn from Nancy Pelosi is unity,” Natalie Johnson, a small business marketing consultant and strategist, suggested via email.

“Nancy was able to unify her party no matter what challenges arose. In business, in order to be seen as a leader worth following, you must be able to stand strong, remain calm, and spread that same energy to your team when needed to help move them forward as one. Just like Nancy Pelosi was able to do, time and time again,” she observed.

Respond Strategically

“Nancy Pelosi’s leadership style demonstrates the importance of responding strategically to situations rather than responding emotionally,” Moshe Cohen, a senior lecturer on leadership, negotiation, and organizational behavior at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. He is the author of Collywobbles: How to Negotiate When Negotiating Makes You Nervous.

“Leaders need to manage their emotions to avoid making rash decisions, damaging relationships, and lurching their organizations from one guardrail to the other,” he recommended.

Play The Long Game

“While we’ve had too many examples of reactive leadership, Nancy Pelosi has consistently played the long game and responded rationally and thoughtfully to the many challenges she’s encountered as a politician,” Cohen observed.

“We need leaders of all ages. There are certainly benefits of having octogenarians still serving and working in leadership. They get to lead with the wisdom that we all hope time brings,” Nicole Price, CEO of Lively Paradox, a professional training and coaching company, said via email.

‘Pass The Baton’

“Our eldest leaders do us a great service when they pass the baton onto younger leaders with some knowledge and historical context for how we’ve gotten to where we are. Pelosi demonstrated that she remembered what it looked like when she was first emboldened to seek public office and shared her insight with aspiring political leaders. This is what leadership sustainability is made of,” she said.

Know When To Leave

“Pelosi’s s decision to not seek a leadership position in Congress is an example of knowing when to step down,” Price commented.

“Too often, leaders will stay in place well after their ability to be innovative, progressive, and effective has run its course. Pelosi has demonstrated what we leadership, experts, know—it doesn’t pay to fight every issue until death, and sometimes it’s best to quit.

“Nelson Mandela demonstrated it best by saying, ‘Quitting is leading, too.’” she concluded.