Secrets of a Competent President

Secrets of a Competent President: A Summary

Kenneth C. Craddock's Secrets of a Competent President: Getting Things Done (JFK to Biden, 1960-2025) offers a profound exploration of presidential competence through the lens of Elliott Jaques’s Requisite Organization theory. The book emphasizes the cognitive and emotional capacities required of U.S. Presidents to address the complex challenges inherent in their role. Craddock’s analysis sheds light on past presidential successes and failures, advocating for a structured, capability-based framework for evaluating future leaders.

The Foundations of Presidential Competence

The Founding Fathers, according to Craddock, designed the presidency as a role requiring exceptional capability. They envisioned leaders who could handle long-term challenges with clarity and moral responsibility. George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and their contemporaries exemplified the criteria for competence, aligning intellectual capacity with civic virtue. However, Craddock argues, modern electoral practices have often failed to uphold these standards, resulting in leaders ill-equipped to meet the demands of the office.

At the heart of Craddock’s thesis is Elliott Jaques’s Requisite Organization theory, which emphasizes the alignment of roles with individuals’ cognitive capabilities. Jaques’s framework for evaluating complexity of information processing (CIP), time horizon, and impact horizon provides tools to objectively assess presidential competence.

Key Dimensions of Competence

1. Cognitive Capability

Cognitive capability refers to the capacity to process information, solve problems, and make decisions with varying levels of complexity. Craddock identifies the use of dynamic logic—a hallmark of advanced cognitive ability—as a predictor of presidential effectiveness. Dynamic logic integrates diverse elements into coherent strategies, addressing both immediate and long-term challenges. Presidents such as John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan demonstrated this capability, linking short-term actions to enduring impacts.

2. Time Horizon

The ability to anticipate and plan for the future is a critical competency for the presidency. Time horizon measures how far ahead a leader can project their decision-making and anticipate consequences. For example, Kennedy’s long-term vision during the Cold War and Reagan’s strategy to weaken the Soviet Union showcase their mastery of this dimension.

3. Impact Horizon

Impact horizon evaluates the lasting significance of a leader’s decisions. Policies that sustain their relevance and effectiveness over decades are markers of high impact horizon. Craddock cites the enduring effects of the Monroe Doctrine and Reagan’s contributions to the end of the Cold War as examples of far-reaching presidential impact.

Modern Challenges in Leadership Selection

Craddock critiques contemporary electoral processes for prioritizing popularity over competence. The reliance on debates, campaign slogans, and media soundbites often obscures the true capabilities of candidates. For instance, the televised debates introduced in 1960—a milestone in democratic engagement—also highlighted superficial factors like charisma and presentation. Kennedy excelled in this format, leveraging both style and substance, while Nixon faltered despite his experience.

Another issue is the shift from vertical evaluations of leadership, which prioritize capability, to horizontal analyses focused on ideological positions. This shift detracts from assessing whether a candidate has the cognitive and emotional tools necessary for the presidency. Craddock advocates a return to criteria-based evaluations, emphasizing competence over popularity.

Historical Patterns and Lessons

Two Champions of Modern Leadership

Craddock identifies John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan as two modern presidents who met the requisite criteria for the role. Both demonstrated advanced cognitive logic and a capacity to address complex challenges dynamically. Kennedy’s handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis and Reagan’s strategies to weaken the Soviet bloc illustrate their aptitude for synthesizing information and creating lasting solutions.

The Consequences of Inadequate Leadership

In contrast, Craddock discusses the failures of presidents who lacked the necessary cognitive capabilities. He critiques leaders like Lyndon B. Johnson for being overwhelmed by the complexities of Vietnam and Jimmy Carter for failing to project a coherent vision. These examples underscore the importance of selecting leaders with the intellectual and emotional depth to navigate crises effectively.

Tools for Evaluating Competence

Craddock provides a framework for voters to assess presidential candidates based on cognitive and emotional criteria:

1. Complexity of Information Processing (CIP): Analyze candidates’ responses in debates to discern their logic and reasoning capabilities.

2. Time Horizon: Evaluate the scope of their plans and their ability to anticipate future challenges.

3. Impact Horizon: Assess the potential long-term significance of their proposed policies.

The book emphasizes that these dimensions are observable and measurable during campaigns, particularly in debates and policy discussions.

Civic Virtue and Public Responsibility

Central to Craddock’s argument is the concept of civic virtue—the willingness to place the public good above personal or partisan interests. This value, deeply ingrained in the Founders’ vision, is often eclipsed in modern politics by self-interest and ideological rigidity. Craddock stresses that voters must demand civic virtue from their leaders, recognizing it as a cornerstone of effective governance.

Implications for Future Elections

Craddock warns that failing to elect competent leaders will exacerbate national and global challenges. He argues that the growing complexity of the modern world—from climate change to geopolitical tensions—demands leaders with the intellectual and emotional tools to navigate uncertainty. The book concludes with a call to action: voters must prioritize competence and demand transparency in evaluating candidates’ capabilities.

A Framework for Action

Craddock’s work is a valuable resource for both voters and political analysts. It bridges historical insights with contemporary challenges, offering a practical framework for selecting leaders who can meet the demands of the presidency. By applying the principles of Requisite Organization, voters can make informed choices that align with the Founders’ vision of capable and virtuous leadership.

Final Thoughts

Secrets of a Competent President is more than a political analysis; it is a blueprint for restoring competence to the highest office in the United States. Craddock’s integration of Jaques’s theories with historical case studies provides a compelling argument for reforming how we evaluate and select our leaders. For those interested in Requisite Organization and its applications to governance, this book is an indispensable guide to understanding the cognitive and emotional dimensions of presidential success.