People are still writing about Kim Hendren, the possible candidate for U.S. Senate (no papers yet!) who stuck his foot in his mouth recently re: Chuck Schumer.

There's been all kinds of political commentary on that, including some discussion of the matter between Little Rock blogger Blake Rutherford and I. Barry Goldberg, an executive coach who writes a column for Arkansas Business. That discussion noted here.

In addition to political and social matters, Goldberg's been thinking about the Hendren gaffe from a communications standpoint and points to lessons we can all learn about "leadership communications."

Not surprisingly, the Hendren gaffe is a perfect example of what not to do! Among those lessons, from Goldberg's Leader's Notebook blog:

If you are going to apologize, apologize. Justification, reframing and excuses are not an apology.

When he was taken-to-task about the statement by an Arkansas blogger, Hendren endeavored to apologize. Unfortunately, his attempt only made matters worse. An apology made with conditions, explanations, justification and reserve is not an apology. Hendren’s effort managed to include them all. The press, the blogsphere (conservative and liberal alike) and the public fed on this further communication snafu like a steak dinner. The comments that drew the most fire had to do with his justification that there are Jews he admires, especially Jesus; and, that he was just “…attempting to explain that unlike Senator Schumer, I believe in traditional values, like we used to see on The Andy Griffith Show.”

And if you are going to apologize, apologize for the right thing. In another comment, Hendren says “I made the mistake of referring to Sen. Schumer as ‘that Jew’ and I should not have put it that way, as this took away from what I was trying to say.” So, the problem, in Hendren’s view, is not that he should not have brought Schumer’s faith into the argument, but that he distracted listeners from his actual point.

I. Barry Goldberg, Arkansas Business' resident columnist on executive leadership, has launched his blog at EntelechyPartners.com.

The blog is natural progression from Goldberg's long-running enewsletter (20 years!) and contains thoughts on personal and professional development. Goldberg says he hopes the blog "will be a portal for conversations and resources from the web." 

Yes, it will primarily be my writing at first.  However, my intention is to attract guest posters and thought leaders whose ideas are controversial, practical, inspiring and explore new frontiers.

Check it out here.

Arkansas Business columnist and executive coaching consultant I. Barry Goldberg was at The Alotian Club with us yesterday, covering gold legend Jack Nicklaus' appearance at Warren Stephens' annual charity golf tournament.

You can see video of the event and more coverage from a sports angle on ArkansasSports360.com here.

Goldberg, however, focuses on the lessons executives and other leaders can learn from the Golden Bear that apply to many situations beyond the golf course:

So- what has this to do with leadership? For an hour, Nicklaus talked about what he did without telling anyone what they should do. He modeled excellence without ego. He took something that seems very complicated and made it accessible. He provided a picture of excellence that was approachable enough for those who were there to believe it possible that they too could perform that way; if not at golf, then at something which fires their own imagination. Can you imagine the power of that unleashed at your company?

...

This warm up routine is in service to a simple strategy. Jack Nicklaus, a giant of the game and remarkably successful competitor wanted to understand his own strengths are today . Like the rest of us hackers and duffers, he does not have a perfect game. The difference is that instead of berating himself, he simply wants to understand the quality of his play today. His observation of golfers he has watched over the years was very informative. "I have never seen a 20 handicap player who could not be a 10. Or a 10 who could not be a 5. But where their game goes bad is when the 10 tries to be a scratch." Over reaching, unrealistic course management or inflated sense of capability does more harm than good. But playing your own best game, based on what you know today is a key to improvement.

Lastly, Jack talked about managing energy. He talked about training up to an event, and then resting as the only strategy to bring your best game consistently. This is an important concept in a business climate that operates 24/7. Sadly we all too often treat our work lives like a marathon with no finish line. If you have not read The Power of Full Engagement, which redefines managing energy as more important than managing time, now is a good time.

More Nicklaus-inspired insight from Goldberg here. 

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