Podcast: Warren Bennis
Collaboration, Democracy Go Hand in Hand
Freedom and the spirit of inquiry are U.S. strengths.
Podcast: Francis Collins
Reconciling Science and Religion
New challenges at the NIH include finding the genes that cause cancer, heart disease.
Podcast: Toby Cosgrove
Surgeon Reveals Secrets to Success
Pioneering heart surgeon says failure is bad only if you don't recover from it.
Podcast: Cheryl Dorsey
Social Entrepreneurs Can Change the World
Their blend of passion and pragmatism helps bridge ideological divides and speed change.
Podcast: Arne Duncan
Principals Must Act Like CEOs
Economic crisis poses a test of leadership for the nation's educators.
Podcast: John Kerry
U.S. Will Lead the Way in Copenhagen
Personal persuasion, taking the initiative, and spreading the hurt are deal-making skills.
Commentary: Michelle Obama
The Future Lies in Teachers
Having good teachers in classrooms is critical because education is the road to opportunity.
Commentary: David Gergen
The National Deficit—of Leadership
Obama fired the imagination of the country during his campaign, but the glow has faded.
Commentary: Barbara Kellerman
The Internet and Leadership Resistance
Americans have always been reluctant to grant anyone the right to tell us what to do.
Slideshow
America's Best Leaders 2009
Get to know more about each person who made this year's list.
PHOTO CREDITS: Ben Bernanke: Charlie Archambault for USN≀ Cory Booker: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters; John Chambers: David McNew/Getty; Yvan Chouinard: Matt Slaby/Luceo for USN≀ John Doerr: Jim Young/Reuters; Cheryl Dorsey: Tony Deifell; Eve Ensler: Ulf Andersen/Getty; Norman Francis: Bill Haber/AP; Orrin Hatch: Brett Ziegler for USN≀ Susan Hockfield: Josh Reynolds/AP; Ted Kennedy: Jim Lo Scalzo for USN≀ Bill & Kathy Magee: Jeffrey MacMillan for USN≀ Greg Mortenson: Courtesy Central Asia Institute; Ray Odierno: Charles Dharapak/AP; Eboo Patel: Nubar Alexanian; Sally Ride: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP; David Robinson: Jim Rogash/Getty; Judith Rodin: Ramin Talaie/Corbis; Senior Noncommissioned Officers: David Furst/AFP; Jim Sinegal: Jeffrey MacMillan for USN≀ Twyla Tharp: Brendan Hoffman/Getty
