When I was 17, the head of my school told me I ought to see myself as a leader. I’m reminded of that as I read about a growing trend in academia to adopt programs like Yale Law School’s new Joseph C. Tsai Leadership Program. I don’t know if leaders are born or trained, but I see value in this kind of leadership development. Budding leaders need mentors who encourage strong character.
I had one. As a junior at Hotchkiss School in 1955, I followed my headmaster down the main corridor. He showed me a plaque honoring the winners of the alumnus-of-the-year award and asked if I knew how many had been “scholarship boys.” He listed those who had come from families of limited means like mine.
Among them: John Hersey, author of the celebrated 1946 book “Hiroshima,” and Henry Luce, founder of Time magazine. He said my peers were waiting for me to lead. “You should speak up when you have something to contribute,” he said. “Mr. Vincent, I believe that someday your name will be listed here with the others. You ought to see yourself as a leader.”
He repeated that in a letter to my parents, which I found in the school files. I was dubious. I was a solid but unremarkable adolescent. My headmaster was revered by his students, so I took his counsel seriously. I gradually adopted the behaviors he suggested. At Williams College, I intentionally sought leadership positions.
I continued to accept opportunities to lead in my professional life. At 40 I was unexpectedly offered the position of CEO of Columbia Pictures, which was in a legal and business crisis. The leadership position was significant, but as a Securities and Exchange Commission lawyer I had no business experience. Some friends advised me to be cautious and remain a lawyer. Many believed I wasn’t the Hollywood type. I decided I had faith in my capacity to lead in difficult circumstances.