Public Servants Discuss Power and Leadership

This article was published by the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Oct. 24, 2006. This event grew from a class research project conducted by the students of Colonel Leo K. and Gaylee Thorsness Chair in Ethical Leadership Dr. J. Donelson R. Forsyth.

See photos of the event

By Gary Robertson
Times-Dispatch Staff Writer

State Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan, said area jurisdictions must work together and become more regionally integrated -- as booming Northern Virginia has -- to reach their full potential and move ahead.

"We all depend on each other. None of us . . . stands alone," Watkins said as an audience at the University of Richmond responded with loud applause.

Watkins was on a panel of leaders convened by UR's Jepson School of Leadership Studies to talk about the concept of power and its implications.

The leaders were drawn from Style Weekly's annual "Power List" of the most influential leaders in the community. Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder said you never lead people unless they give you that power and authority. "The people are always ahead of leaders" in knowing what is best for them and knowing when change is necessary, Wilder added.

John B. Adams Jr., chairman of the Martin Agency, said being perceptive is important for leadership because it allows you to understand those around you.

The Martin Agency is a powerhouse advertising firm handling campaigns for national companies. Responding to a statement that Richmond is slow to change, Adams said leaders need to paint a brighter vision and have greater optimism.

Darcy Oman, president and CEO of The Community Foundation, said trustworthiness is an important characteristic of leadership.

She noted that it is especially critical for those involved in philanthropic endeavors. The Community Foundation, with $567 million in assets, is one of the largest grant-makers in Virginia and the second-largest community foundation in the Southeast.

Others on the leadership panel were Richmond Police Chief Rodney Monroe and local business executive and philanthropist Ivor Massey Jr.

Contact staff writer Gary Robertson at grobertson@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6346.

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