Why You Should Hire Your Harshest Critic
Joe Biden’s selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate is a true lesson in leadership
I don’t know about you, but last week I was depressed about the Veepstakes. It felt like a redux of the bruising gender politics of ugly elections past. And then, suddenly, there was a pick: Kamala Harris! And my weltschmerz vanished — not just because Harris is a soul-liftingly historic choice (or because as a former lawyer myself, I’m in awe of her prosecutorial chops). My heart also swelled because Joe Biden, despite a clown-show VP selection process, had chosen an amazing and qualified woman — despite, and perhaps because of, the fact that she had been his harshest critic.
Remember how she struck a brutal blow against Biden in last year’s Democratic debates? Remember how, up until just a few days ago, there were rumblings from the Biden camp about how unforgivable that was? Biden’s selection of Harris as his running mate is, to borrow a phrase from Biden himself, a big fuckin’ deal. There are many reasons why choosing Kamala Harris — a former prosecutor, a senator, and a Black woman with the ability to connect to a youthful demographic — was a smart move at this moment in 2020.
But hiring his former rival — an outspoken opponent who has criticized him harshly — as his running mate was also a brave move. It’s a good example for all of us, especially if we ever find ourselves in the position of having to hire a team. Strong leadership takes many forms, and this kind of risk-taking is one of them. Is it comfortable to elevate your harshest critic? Probably not! Is it going to make you better, and make your team better, and get you to your goal faster? Almost certainly. It’s a bold move with key leadership lessons for all of us.
Your critic can be your best endorser
I hesitate to invoke Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power since so many of those so-called laws are problematic, but “Learn How To Use Enemies” is #2 on his list, and makes the point that a former enemy will work harder to prove themself once on the team. If you trust a former rival enough to add them to your team, it follows that they will strive to show teamwork and commitment.
