As this morning’s New York Times readily admits, there is a long, public history of what’s wrong with Larry Summers. He thinks with his mouth open, readily intimidates and offends, tends to impose his ideas on people rather than persuade, stifles debate, is an elite ass, and, according to some of the Harvard faculty is a thorough-going misogynist. That, according to Elena Kagan, Dean of the Harvard Law School, is a “bum rap.” Still, it’s Larry Summers that Barack Obama has just invited to serve as his preeminent economics advisor.
The New York Times article takes a different tack--that Summers has at last found a path to personal renewal. It reveals that Summers is returning to his first love of economics, forgetting education reform, and making certain that people learn that he’s no misogynist. He’s also become highly successful as an economics writer for the Financial Times, delving into the economic troubles of the globe, and offering pragmatic prescriptions for its eventual resolution. Significantly, says the Financial Times, Summers is casting his recommendations into both economic and political terms. For example, Summers strongly suggests that “in order to keep public support for open markets, you have to do more for the disadvantaged and the losers in globalization.” Clearly, he is bringing strong, viable and relevant solution recommendations to the Obama leadership. In short there’s a lot right with Dr. Summers.
Yet, there are plenty of people who are going to dismiss Larry Summers with a single question: “Can the leopard change his spots?” Of course, that’s a setup for an obvious “NO!” The conventional wisdom is that it’s impossible for a person to change his bad habits much less his relationship style. Intriguing, ever-present notion, but the research won’t support conventional wisdom. Can the leopard change his spots? Sure, but not overnight.
Making change is a matter of developing your intelligence (yep, that too), and of deliberate practice (not just any kind of practice), supported by some effective coaching.
Where shall I go with this post from here?
Let’s go to developing your intelligence, first. IQ as we commonly think of it is not a “ceiling” and no reputable psychologist today believes it is—and that includes social intelligence. Stephen Ceci has shown conclusively that intelligence is a function of the schooling and coaching you have and it is the schooling and coaching that causes the increase, not the innate intelligence. (Stephen Ceci: Intelligence: Knowns and Unknowns—written as a consequence of the Bell Curve fiasco—which continues in popular forums) There’s plenty of support research out there, but check my website for a summary (www.danerwin.com).
Second, we make significant change through a process called “deliberate practice.” Anders Ericsson is beginning to reverberate and resonate in sports, academics, and even business, relating how deliberate practice can support change, growth and learning. Anyone can engage in deliberate practice, and in this economy it’s wise to put deliberate practice to work on your own needs. Here’s a link to just some of the articles in the business press about the work and success of deliberate practice: http://www.hooversbiz.com/2008/04/14/deliberate-practice-in-the-working-world/
Geoff Colvin of Fortune takes the reader through these issues in his new book, Talent Is Overrated. I did a brief review of his book on Amazon.com—check it out:
Well, can the Leopard change his spots? Can Larry Summers change his ways and develop into a still more useful human being? Can his path to personal renewal make him a still more effective contributor for our country’s needs? The research gives an affirmative answer to the question. So you’re damned right, Summers can make the changes. I have been working with the process for years and I am heartened by the changes I’ve observed in many clients.
