2. Why America Needs Leaders of Character: Diagnosing Our Leadership Crisis

by Bonnie Block

Introduction 

I began writing 25 US G.O.A.T.s: Profiles in Leadership because I see a leadership crisis in America rooted in elevating wealth and status over character and integrity. When we applaud success measured only by bank accounts and social standing, we overlook the true essence of leadership: positive values—honesty, courage, compassion, resilience—and the integrity to act on them. Drawing inspiration from JFK’s Profiles in Courage and other writings, I set out to redefine leadership as more than a platform for personal gain. True leaders are those whose moral fiber drives tangible service to society. In this blog post, I’ll unpack the root causes of our leadership crisis, outline a new definition of leadership based on character plus integrity, introduce the clear criteria I’ve applied to name America’s 25 G.O.A.T.s, and spotlight how Muhammad Ali embodied these principles in every arena he entered. Finally, I’ll invite you—whether you’re a parent, educator, or community member—to turn these reflections into action, revitalizing leadership in your own circles. 

The Root of Our Leadership Crisis: Wealth and Status vs. 

Character and Integrity 

In writing the opening of 25 US G.O.A.T.s: Profiles in Leadership, I diagnose a troubling trend: America has too often equated leadership with wealth and status. We celebrate those who command the largest fortunes or occupy the highest offices, yet neglect to ask whether they embody honesty, courage, compassion, and resilience. When financial success eclipses moral fiber, our communities suffer. We see decisions driven by self-interest instead of service, policies shaped by influence instead of principle, and role models who inspire ambition without fostering responsibility. This imbalance undermines trust in institutions, erodes civic engagement, and leaves society hungry for genuine role models whose actions uplift others. By diagnosing this leadership crisis, I aim to shift our focus back to character and integrity—qualities that must stand at the core of every public and private decision. Only then can leadership reclaim its true meaning as service rather than self-promotion.

 Redefining Leadership: Character + Integrity = Great Leader 

To address the crisis, I propose a new formula: character + integrity = great leader. Drawing inspiration from JFK’s Profiles in Courage and leadership studies from diverse perspectives, I argue that positive values alone are insufficient without the integrity to act on them. Honesty means speaking truth to power; courage requires standing firm in the face of adversity; compassion drives us to serve those in need; resilience compels us to persevere through setbacks. Yet these values gain real power only when leaders translate them into service. Moral fiber without action is hollow, and action without moral fiber can do more harm than good. By intertwining values and integrity, we create leaders who don’t just talk about change—they make it happen. This redefinition reminds us that leadership is not a static title or a position of influence, but a living commitment to uplift others through principled action. 

Introducing America’s 25 G.O.A.T.s: Clear Criteria for 

Exemplary Leaders

With a fresh definition of leadership in hand, I assembled 25 Americans who exemplify it. To ensure each profile truly reflects our redefined ideal, I applied four clear criteria: 1) recognized G.O.A.T. status, showing excellence in a field that earns national or global acclaim; 2) demonstrated character suited to serving as a role model whose conduct inspires others; 3) concrete leadership through societal impact, where talent, fame, or resources are leveraged to uplift communities; and 4) U.S. citizenship, anchoring each example within our national context. These criteria keep our focus sharp: we’re not simply celebrating fame, but celebrating principled greatness in service of others. I invite parents and educators especially to explore these profiles with students, using the critical-thinking questions at the end of each chapter to spark discussion. More than admiration, I hope these stories ignite real acts of service—volunteering, mentoring, and civic participation—so that each reader contributes to revitalizing leadership where they live. 

Muhammad Ali: A Case Study in Principled Action

No profile better illustrates the power of principled action than Muhammad Ali—born Cassius Clay—whose brilliance in the ring revolutionized boxing. His “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” style wasn’t just showmanship. Ali secured three heavyweight titles, but his impact stretched far beyond athletic greatness. He used his global celebrity to protest the Vietnam War, champion civil rights, and serve as a UN goodwill ambassador. Each step extended the values that defined him in sports into arenas of social justice and diplomacy. Ali stands as a living testament to this book’s thesis: excellence alone does not suffice; it must be joined by principled action to earn a place among America’s true leaders. In every punch thrown and every platform he claimed, his moral fiber drove tangible service to society. 

Translating Admiration into Action 

As I share these profiles, my goal is not only to inspire admiration but to catalyze action. Reading about heroes like Muhammad Ali, we might ask: How can I volunteer my time with honesty and compassion? Where can I show courage and resilience in the face of local challenges? What resources or talents do I possess that, if applied with integrity, could uplift others? I encourage readers—whether you’re a busy professional, a devoted parent, or an educator guiding young minds—to start small. Host a community discussion on character, support a youth mentoring program, or lend your voice to a cause that matters. By translating admiration into service, we each become part of the solution to the leadership crisis we face. 

Conclusion 

The leadership crisis in America demands a renewed emphasis on character and integrity. By redefining leadership as the marriage of positive values with unwavering moral fiber—exemplified by the 25 G.O.A.T.s I profile—we chart a path toward service-driven influence. Figures like Muhammad Ali remind us that true greatness lies not just in personal achievement but in uplifting others. Now it’s your turn: take what you’ve learned here, discuss these ideas with your families and students, and commit to acts of service grounded in honesty, courage, compassion, and resilience. Together, we can revitalize leadership in our communities and ensure that American greatness is measured by the strength of our character, not the size of our fortunes.