Post-Berlin Wall executive leadership.

• Author: McColl, Hugh L.
• Position: Meditation on the post cold war world and executive training - Chairman's Agenda: Acquiring in Eastern Europe

The victory of free enterprise over repressive economics provides the next generation with a monumental opportunity.

I have been spending a great deal of time during the last year focusing on our schools. I've talked a lot about what's wrong with our public school system and ways I believe we can fix it. I've talked about why I believe quality education is the concrete support on which any successful society stands.

Recent events in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union have re-emphasized for me the need for our next generation to be prepared to lead a "brave new world."

All my life, America either has been at war or facing a menacing threat that has required us to be ready for global nuclear war at any moment. Those of us who have been part of 40 years of both actual warfare and Cold War hope the collapse of the Berlin Wall marks two resounding victories for our generation -- the triumph of capitalism over communism and the victory of democracy and individual freedom over repression and totalitarian rule.

I truly believe our next generation could be the First American one to apply its total energies and resources on building a better society, rather than fighting wars or defending itself in a fragile peace.

The victory of free enterprise over repressive economics during my generation will provide the next generation with a monumental opportunity -- the opportunity to go beyond making the world safe for democracy to making it just for everyone.

Good history students, young and old, will recall that three of the strongest democracies in the world today developed from our defeated enemies with the help of our post-World War II leaders. Those countries are Germany, Japan, and Italy. I suspect the allies' compassionate treatment of their defeated enemies through the Marshall Plan and the enlightened occupation of Japan and Europe may have been one of the world's finest accomplishments.

If we truly have seen an end to the Cold War, our young people will have the opportunity to achieve a similar place in his history through the compassionate rebuilding of our ideological enemies. But that will take leadership. Leadership of a special kind -- leadership with a vision and a plan.

I believe there are six traits fundamental to a good leader, all of which should be imparted in our schools today: * A powerful and proper vision; * A workable plan; * The ability to set goals; * Tenacity and perseverance; * The power to mold cooperative teams; and * Strong...