Peopleware: Let’s Talk About Leadership

NOTE

At a recent Broadway performance of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, I was struck by a line that comes near the end of the final act. The protagonist, Willy Loman, approaches his well-to-do neighbor, Charley, to ask for yet another small loan. The sad contrast between Charley’s fortunes and Willy’s own failure is reflected in their sons: Willy’s son Biff has gone badly downhill, while Charley’s son, Bernard, has become a successful lawyer. Charley makes the loan and tells Willy proudly that Bernard is off to Washington, D.C., to argue a case before the Su- preme Court. Imagine that, the United States Supreme Court.

“The Supreme Court!” Willy says. “And he didn’t even mention it!”

“He don’t have to—” Charley replies, “he’s gonna do it.”1

—TRL