America’s Best Leaders, 2007: Selection Criteria & Methodology
A Leader Defined:
A leader motivates people to work collaboratively to accomplish great things.
A Three-Pronged Approach to Identifying Outstanding Leaders:
An outstanding leader …
Sets Direction (25%)
• By building a shared sense of purpose
• By setting out to make a positive social impact
• By implementing innovative strategies
Achieves Results (50%)
• Of significant breath or depth
• That have a positive social impact
• That are sustainable
• That exceed expectations
Cultivates a Culture of Growth (25%)
• By communicating and embodying positive core values
• By inspiring others to lead
Eligibility:
Timeliness
Some of the primary accomplishments for which a leader is being considered should have occurred within the last 18 months. Whenever possible, the leaders should be incumbents at the time of their selection, or else they should have vacated their position of leadership in the last six months.
Leadership in America
The leader’s work, though it can be global in scope, should be based in America and American’s should be at least part of the leader’s audience.
Methodology
"America's Best Leaders" is a collaboration between U.S.News & World Report and the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. The honorees were selected by a committee of government, community, and private-sector leaders convened by the center. U.S. News does not have a vote.
The panel accepted nominations from a wide range of sources and compiled research on each one. The committee selected 20 winners, including some teams, from a field of more than 200. The panelists rated the nominees from to 1 to 5 based on how well they met the leadership criteria above.
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