THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 24, 1996 TAG: 9609240290
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: DECISION 96
AT ISSUE: LEADERSHIP
As Virginians look forward to the Nov. 5 election, they're thinking a
lot ablut the qualities they want in their leaders. This week, we have
asked Hampton Roads citizens for their ideas of leadership, and we
have asked candidates to respond.
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 173 lines
Robert F. Hahne remembers the day 15 years ago when, as principal of Taylor Elementary School in Norfolk, he could have panicked.
A kid had just fallen down a stairwell onto a concrete floor with enough force to do some serious damage.
Hahne stayed calm and took control. The student was fine. Teachers got together with Hahne afterward and discussed what measures they could take in the future to avoid such catastrophes, such as having kids walk in straight lines down the stairs.
The incident wasn't exactly on the level of the Cuban Missile Crisis of the 1960s, but looking back now, Hahne can see some parallels.
Then, President John F. Kennedy was presented with a tense situation. He had to quickly analyze all the facts and decide how to respond to the Soviet threat. Then he had to formulate a policy for dealing with the Soviets in the future.
Such careful, deliberate decision-making is essential for good leadership, said Hahne, 50, whose sharp skills over nearly two decades of principalships led to his central administration promotion three years ago. Now he helps oversee principals as executive director of the school system's division of school governance.
Leadership, whether in the public or private arena, is a complicated thing, Hahne has learned. A leader must have a vision for what he wants his institution to become and must have the knowledge, judgment, communication skills and backbone to make the vision happen.
Hahne points to Kennedy, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and retired Gen. Colin Powell as examples of effective national leaders.
``Colin Powell, for example, truly stands up for his belief system, and although some people may agree or disagree with him, they know he stands firm in his beliefs,'' Hahne said.
Although Powell stands firm when the need arises, he listens to others when making decisions, Hahne said. Collaboration is essential for leaders, because they must get others to buy into their vision.
``I think the bigger the organization, the more critical it is, because the more people you need to spread out and support the vision,'' he said.
Sometimes that's difficult for citizens to do when it comes to government, Hahne said.
``I think the government today is so large and so powerful that there's a tendency on the part of the public not to feel ownership,'' he said.
It's up to national political leaders, he said, to create a solid vision for the country's future and convince constituents to help make the vision happen.
``I don't care where they are right now, I care where they're taking us.'' MEMO: NEXT WEEK: ECONOMIC SECURITY
Sunday, we will hear what candidates and citizens have to say about
economic security. And in the days following, we will let Hampton Roads
citizens frame this issue for the candidates. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo and cutline appeared on page B1.]
GARY C. KNAPP
Robert F. Hahne, a Norfolk schools administrator who spent nearly 20
years as a principal, has relied on leadership skills on more than
one occasion in his career. In a small school or a large country, he
believes, those skills are basically the same. ``I think the bigger
the organization, the more critical it is, because the more people
you need to spread out and support the vision,'' he said.
Robert F. Hahne says leaders need vision, judgment, communication
skills and backbone.
[Candidates' photos]
TODAY'S QUESTION:
Where do you see the values, the economy and the security of our
country in five years under your leadership?
SENATE
VIRGINIA
John W. Warner
``Every day offers new opportunities to make our economy stronger,
to guide our citizenry toward higher moral values and toward a
greater sense of confidence in our national security. My commitment
to public service is based on my dedication to make the lives of our
children and grandchildren better than what we have enjoyed.
Consequently, I am committed to ensuring that economically, morally
and in all senses from a national security perspective our nation
has every opportunity to be better tomorrow than it is today.''
Mark R. Warner
``I'm firm in my vision of where America is headed. My vision of
America is a nation that continues to lead in the 21st century as it
did in the 20th. However, I believe very strongly that we are in a
period of dramatic change. Our economy is evolving from being
industrial to information-based. The change that is coming is not
conservative or liberal, but it is dramatic. It will impact
everything from where and how we work to how we educate our kids to
how we deliver health care to what the proper role of government
should be. The decisions we make in the next five years will affect
us for two or three generations and my biggest fear - and one of the
main reasons I want to be your senator - is that if we don't have
policymakers who understand this technology revolution, most
middle-class Americans will slip farther behind. We'll be divided by
those who have access to education, information and technology and
those who don't. I don't think that has to be. I think we can use
the tools of technology to decrease disparity, not widen the gap.''
HOUSE
2nd DISTRICT
Owen B. Pickett
``The military and economic security of this country in five years
will be sound with a steadily growing national economy and a U.S.
military capable of pre-eminence in the world. Personal values will
be in ascendancy, propelled by greater personal responsibility,
economic and military security and a broad movement to a more
enlightened and responsive citizen interaction.''
John F. Tate
``In the next five years, you can expect to see lower taxes, much
less social welfare spending, an increase in emphasis on national
security issues and more family-friendly government policies. A
Republican majority in Congress and a Republican president will pass
the Balanced Budget Amendment and send it to the states, which are
sure to ratify it. As the former legislative director to the U.S.
Defense Committee, I understand what a crucial role our military
strength plays, both in global stability and right here in our
economy. I and the Republicans will make sure that our military is
properly funded and that we will never turn our backs on the men and
women who have served our country.''
3RD DISTRICT
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott
``We need to promote education, fiscal responsibility, job
opportunities and the value of bringing people together. And as one
of 435 members of the House of Representatives, I can't dictate
exactly where we'll be, but my goal is to improve education, the
fiscal integrity of the federal government, increase employment and
help bring people together.''
Elsie Goodwyn Holland
``Hopefully they'll improve. I really think with a focus on work
ethics it would negate, in my opinion, the need for people to find
alternative ways of getting money. That can lead to crime. I'm a
strong supporter of family values and the institution of family. I
could introduce and support legislation to help to meet that end.''
4TH DISTRICT
Norman Sisisky
``I'm one of 535 people. I don't have the responsibility of the
president, fortunately. I think in any budget thing the bottom line
should be national security. We have to protect ourselves, our
people and our interests around the world. Whether we like it our
not, we are the world's superpower. Hopefully the gross national
product will continue to grow. We could solve a lot of problems if
our GNP was going up 3 or 4 percent instead of 2 percent. But I
don't think we can consider doing anything until we balance our
budget. The interest on the national debt is more than the defense
budget. And that doesn't buy anything. It doesn't buy health care,
it doesn't buy security.''
Anthony J. Zevgolis
``I believe we need to go back to the future. And I'm talking about
when we led by example. I believe that five years from now, because
I am a believer in supply-side economics, under my leadership we
will see the deficit go down and the debt being paid. I believe the
standard of living will be better five years from now, and education
will be better. No one's going to fight harder than I will, and if
it means fighting my own party, I'm willing to do that.''
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