"Designated Survivor" Leadership in a show!

Imagine you finished your normal business day and next day ,out of blue, you find yourself appointed as the head of Department or general manager or even the CEO. it is a position never meant to be for you , at least in the meantime, you work hard but you didn't expect it so soon or maybe never. What will you do?

This is exactly what happened to Thomas Kirkman. For those who are not familiar with the Netflix series "Designated survivor", Thomas Kirkman is the US secretary of housing and urban development, after finishing normal day he got a phone call informing him that he has been assigned as the "Designated Survivor" at that night. The Designated Survivor is someone chosen to stay in secured place during a major event where all the US administration including Cabinet, president and V.P come together to address the nation.This is to ensure the continuity in the presidential office in case a mass casualty incident happened and all officials are died. Accordingly, the chosen person must be qualified to be the next president.

Mr. Krikman have been chosen to serve as designated survivor during the night of the state of the union address and .............the Capitol Hill exploded in terrorism act and all US officials died and Mr. kirkman sworn at this night to be the President of the United states of America.

Tom Kirkman is PhD holder in Architectural and urban development, man of integrity and knowledge, as a member of cabinet he is ambitious and determined to achieve the good for the people. However, he never served as mayor or governor. He never served in the army , he has no long experience in the foreign affairs but he still a politician but not the typical one.

The show is entertaining but in the meanwhile provides a very constructive and strong leadership lessons that I could spot from my experience and it is worthy to be elaborated here.

Kirkman has been met with wide rejection from governors, existing politicians and white house employees. He used to walk ,in his first days, in the white house corridors without even been noticed. Media is attacking him and doubting his ability and big army's generals see him inexperienced person and no one want to gamble his political future by supporting him. Tough situation, isn't it?

Tom succeeded to gain the trust, reconstruct the Capitol Hill, assemble the congress and get credit as US president by using simple yet effective leadership points as follow:

1- Change will not happen if we wait for it:

Tom didn't allow the criticism to distract him at the outset. he set the path , defined his priorities to re-assume the administration by appointing the congress members and the supreme court, and he did. He acted since day one despite the odds and didn't wait situation to be better or wait to learn more about politics, he just battled every situation he faced with no fear , asking for more details and pressing on one point through his actions, Waiting is not an option.

2- Choice of the right team is half battle won:

Kirkman put efforts to build a team around him from competent people who have the attitude to do the right things, even if he didn't like them at the beginning. The first time he met Seth Wright the press secretary, Seth criticized him and doubted the ability , but Tom Kirkman saw in him a talented communicator and he appointed him as Communication director. Later, Seth become one of his closest advisors.

Second important example, is appointing the white house chef of staff , a very close companion to the president. Kirkman had to chose between Emily and Aaron. Emily is his assistance since 4 years, he trust her and she is competent. Aaron is new for him but he knows the white house very much, understands the politics and he shows his loyalty in one situation. Kirkman chose the competent person over the person he knows.

He asked the former president Mr. Moss to be his Secretary of state. In this position Kirkman benefited from Moss international connection and experience.

3- A loyal team member is worth to fight for:

Aaron shore the chef of staff has been interrogated in the attack of the Capitol Hill and questions arose around him, Aaron felt that this interrogation might be used against the president, so he submitted his resignation to protect the president which is after long discussion accepted by Tom.

Later on, Tom Kirkman rejected the fact that he lose a competent and loyal team member for anything. He called Aaron and offered him National security advisor and fought to get Aaron back, at this point Tom accepts no rejection from Aaron because he knew his value. Aaron later was very important asset. Never Lose a loyal team member.

4- Assertiveness , Authenticity and consistency get you far than you think

Kirkman worked hard since day one, he read a lot , he asked for every detail and he attended every meeting in the emergency operation room. Tom Kirkman was consistent, he used to walk the talk and stand for his values which made the team sympathize with him at the first then trust him later on. He met every objection on his opinions , every joke on his style and every doubt in his decisions by composure , clear questions about the situation and firm requests. He might not the best in strategy but he was assertive on one thing, he must know the strategy and it must be explained well to him to make his decision. He didn't fear to take opinions from his advisors in public and he didn't hide behind others mistakes. He took control

5- Develop trust but be careful in whom you trust

Tom was authentic, compassionate and fearless. He took the time to talk with each team member and ask them what they do. He knows everyone by name. He built trust between him and his team and this trust turned to be loyalty. This loyalty was the step stone for all of his success. Kirkman stressed that confidential information must remain confidential even on family or his Secretary of state. This enabled him to uncover the corners of the conspiracy which lead to Capitol attack.

6-Take Criticism positive and control emotions

At the first meeting between governors and Tom Kirkman they told him, you are not qualified , we don't trust you and why we should do?. A strong statement which kicked him out of his mode and forced him to go out the room for a break. He then came back and build on this criticism by convincing them that he might not be qualified as politician but he is qualified as mediator who can take all of their advises and apply what is in the benefit for the people.

Same example in his meeting with the French Secretary of state. She described him as " Maladroit" the french word of clumsy. He used his secretary of state to make private meeting with her and convince her with his opinion

7- Take time out to reflect and re-evaluate

Tom Kirkman regularly took time at the end of the day to reflect on the day actions and to re-evaluate what happened. He took the support of his wife in this process. His wife is a lawyer and she lives with his same principles and usually she walks him up because she looks from out the chess board.

8-Leaders are made

Thomas Kirkman character is around us everywhere, In schools, In offices , Factories and political life. Few leaders are charismatic by born, However, the majority of business and political leaders are made by Work, knowledge , experience and determination. Leadership is science like any other science which can be taught. However, its best part can be learned by trial and error.