Honoring David Gergen: Esteemed Presidential Advisor, Women's Rights Advocate, Confidant, and Guiding Force
David Gergen, a esteemed journalist, political commentator, and leadership advocate, passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy that prioritised principled, inclusive leadership and the advancement of women in various sectors.
Throughout his illustrious career, Gergen served as editor for the American Enterprise Institute's Public Opinion, U.S. News & World Report, PBS, and CNN. He was also a popular moderator of panels and interviews, including events for Executive Women in Government and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).
Gergen's impact on women's leadership is a significant part of his broader commitment to fostering inclusive, principled leadership. As the founding director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, he championed leadership education that developed leaders from all backgrounds, likely including women leaders.
In addition, as chair of Elon Law's Advisory Board from 2005 to 2024, Gergen helped establish a mission for the law school to develop lawyer-leaders who improve communities and foster leadership at all levels. This inclusive approach to leadership cultivated opportunities for women leaders in law and other fields.
At the Aspen Institute, Gergen was recognised as an advocate for young people and leadership rooted in service and inclusion, which aligns closely with advancing leadership opportunities for women. Personal testimonies from participants in programs such as the Harvard Latino Leadership Initiative reflect Gergen’s role in championing leadership development for underrepresented groups, often including women.
Gergen's leadership philosophy emphasised a style that moves away from top-down commands towards empowering and bringing out the best in all leaders, a philosophy that supports women’s leadership growth in a transformational way.
In his last book, "Hearts Touched With Fire: How Great Leaders Are Made", Gergen argued for the need to turn the reins over to younger generations, but also emphasised the importance of more women in leadership of all generations. He expressed an interest in understanding the unique perspectives, values, innovative thinking, and experiences women bring to leadership.
Gergen's affable nature and good humour endeared him to many, and he was described as a tall, warm, and principled human being, adept at understanding the plight of the common man and woman. Despite offers to run for president, he declined multiple times. His discussions often focused on the impact of political events on the people and the dynamics of political power.
Throughout his career, Gergen worked as a counsel for four U.S. presidents: Nixon, Reagan, Ford, and Clinton. He was known for speaking his mind and speaking truth to power. Despite his passing, Gergen's legacy continues to inspire future leaders who strive for inclusive, principled leadership and the advancement of women in various sectors.
In his role as the founding director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, David Gergen prioritized leadership education that encouraged the development of leaders from diverse backgrounds, including women, as part of his broader commitment to fostering inclusive, principled leadership.
David Gergen, through his work at the Kennedy School and other initiatives, including his last book, "Hearts Touched With Fire: How Great Leaders Are Made," advocated for the importance of more women in leadership of all generations, expressing an interest in understanding their unique perspectives and experiences.
