Kamala Harris: Leadership for a New Era (Part 2)
As we approach a critical juncture in American history, we explore Kamala Harris's approach to leadership style.
Hello, Denyse here, and a very warm welcome to We Are Mimosa, a place for women building brands which are aligned with their purpose and values, and who care about making the world a better place.
In Part 1 of our series on Kamala Harris, we explored her remarkable journey and the values that shaped her path. Today, as she stands on the precipice of history, we examine how her leadership style not only offers a stark contrast to authoritarianism but also naturally embodies proven frameworks for effective leadership and positive change.
The Promise of America: A Leader's Vision
At the heart of Harris's leadership lies a profound vision: fulfilling the promise of America for everyone. "I believe in the promise of America," she often says. "I am empirical evidence of the promise of America." This isn't just campaign rhetoric – it's a deeply held conviction that drives her approach to leadership.
This vision operates on two levels:
Primary Mission: Making America's founding ideals real for all citizens
Secondary Mission: Advancing women's freedom and empowerment as essential to democratic progress
What makes Harris's leadership particularly compelling is how she connects these grand visions to practical realities. Whether discussing abortion rights, economic policy, or democratic institutions, she consistently draws lines between abstract principles and their concrete impacts on people's lives.
The Science of Hope in Leadership
What's fascinating about Harris's leadership style is how it naturally aligns with what researchers call "hope theory," developed by C.R. Snyder at the University of Kansas. In her recent conversation with Brené Brown on the Unlocking Us podcast, Harris described her approach to leadership in ways that perfectly mirror this evidence-based framework, though she hadn't heard of the theory before. As I explored in my piece "Hope is making a comeback," this convergence of intuitive leadership with validated research offers powerful insights into effective leadership.
Hope theory identifies three key components: goal-setting capacity, pathway thinking (including Plans B through E), and agency (belief in ability to act). Harris embodies each of these elements so naturally that when Brown explained the framework, Harris's response was immediate recognition - she'd been practicing these principles throughout her career without naming them as such.
Her goal-setting capacity shows in her clear articulation of both immediate objectives and long-term vision. "If you know what you stand for," she told Brown, "... then you know what to fight for." This isn't just about having big dreams - it's about connecting those dreams to achievable steps forward.
Her pathway thinking manifests in what's become known as her "obsession" with Venn diagrams - a practical tool for finding multiple routes to progress. When faced with seemingly intractable problems, Harris consistently looks for unexpected connections and alternative approaches. This ability to see multiple paths forward keeps hope alive even when initial approaches fail.
Perhaps most distinctively, Harris demonstrates strong agency - both personal and collective. In her conversation with Brown, she emphasized that this isn't about individual power alone but about building collective belief in our ability to create change. "The vast majority of us have more in common than what separates us," she notes, suggesting that our shared agency is a powerful force for transformation.
The Joyful Warrior
Out of this hope-centred approach emerges what many have called Harris's "joyful warrior" leadership style. This isn't just about maintaining a positive attitude - it's a strategic approach to sustainable leadership that challenges traditional notions of power and resistance.
When Harris declares "We're going to win," it comes not from naive optimism but from deep conviction grounded in clear goals, multiple pathways, and strong agency. This approach transforms traditional concepts of political warfare. Instead of drawing power from anger or fear, Harris demonstrates how joy itself can become a form of resistance.
During her conversation with Brown, Harris explored how this joyful warrior approach connects to both personal and political freedom. They discussed how even seemingly private matters - like women's healthcare decisions - connect to broader questions of democratic freedom. This ability to link personal joy and political power creates a unique leadership style that's both principled and practical.
Leadership Styles in Action
Daniel Goleman, in his groundbreaking research on emotional intelligence and leadership, identified six distinct leadership styles that emerge from different emotional intelligence competencies. Three of these styles - democratic, visionary, and affiliative - are particularly relevant to understanding Harris's approach.
The democratic style builds commitment through participation and collective decision-making. The visionary style mobilizes people toward shared aspirations. The affiliative style creates harmony by connecting people to each other. While each style serves different purposes, the most effective leaders, according to Goleman, can flex between styles based on what the moment requires.
Harris's approach aligns naturally with these three styles, and what makes her particularly effective is how she integrates these established frameworks with both hope theory and her joyful warrior persona, creating a leadership approach uniquely suited to our current challenges.
Her democratic leadership style manifests most clearly in her commitment to coalition building. In her discussion with Brown, Harris emphasized how she actively seeks out unexpected connections and alliances. This isn't just about gathering diverse viewpoints - it's about creating stronger solutions through collective wisdom. Her famous Venn diagram approach isn't merely a tool for finding common ground; it's a methodology for building sustainable coalitions that can withstand political pressures and social changes.
The visionary aspect of Harris's leadership shows in her ability to connect immediate actions to longer-term transformation. When discussing democracy with Brown, she described it as both incredibly strong and remarkably fragile - a paradox that requires leaders to balance immediate protection with long-term strengthening. This vision isn't just about preserving institutions; it's about fulfilling their promise for everyone.
Her affiliative style creates genuine connections that transcend political divisions. During their conversation, Harris shared with Brown how her Sunday family dinners remain "non-negotiable" - a practice that reflects her belief in the power of authentic relationships. This approach extends beyond personal connections to her broader leadership style, where building genuine relationships becomes a foundation for political change.
Leading Through Complex Challenges
Harris's integrated leadership approach becomes particularly evident in how she handles complex challenges. Take women's healthcare, for instance. In her discussion with Brown, they explored how restrictions on reproductive rights have created a healthcare crisis that extends far beyond abortion. Harris noted that pregnant women now avoid traveling to states with restrictive laws, fearing medical emergencies that could put them at legal risk. Her response to this crisis demonstrates all aspects of her leadership approach:
She begins with clear goals rooted in justice and fairness. She develops multiple pathways toward those goals, from legislative action to executive policies to grassroots organising. She maintains joy and hope while acknowledging the gravity of the situation. And throughout, she builds coalitions that can sustain long-term change.
This same integrated approach appears in her handling of democratic institutions. Harris understands that democracy requires both protection and expansion. When discussing January 6th with Brown, she emphasized how democracy's strength paradoxically depends on acknowledging its fragility. This insight informs her approach to voting rights, civic engagement, and institutional reform.
In addressing economic justice, Harris again demonstrates how effective leadership combines clear vision with practical action. Her published agenda includes fourteen specific items, from tax cuts for working families to strengthening Medicare. Each item connects immediate action to broader transformation, showing how hope theory works in practice.
Leadership Grounded in Values
Throughout our previous discussion in Part 1, we explored how Harris's leadership flows from her core values of fairness and justice. What becomes clear through her conversation with Brown is how these values create consistency across different leadership challenges. Whether discussing democracy, healthcare, or economic opportunity, these foundational values provide both direction and evaluation criteria.
Looking Forward
As we approach a critical juncture in American history, Harris's leadership style offers more than just a contrast to authoritarianism - it provides a blueprint for effective, sustainable leadership in complex times. Her natural embodiment of hope theory, combined with emotional intelligence and a joyful warrior spirit, suggests a path forward not just for politics but for any context where transformative leadership is needed.
In my piece "Hope is making a comeback," I explored how hope was returning to American political discourse. Through Harris's example, we see hope not just as an emotion or attitude, but as a practical framework for leadership that combines vision, strategy, and sustainable action.
Over to You
What aspects of Harris's leadership approach resonate most with you? How do you see these principles applying in your own context? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
If you enjoyed this piece, please take a moment to "❤️" it and share it with other women who might benefit.
Until next time, have a great week.
Denyse
References
The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris' Closing Argument Speech to American Voters
Unlocking Us: Vice President Kamala Harrison Courageous Leadership and Winning in 2024
About me
If you’re new to my work, it might be helpful if I explain who I am and what I do!
I’m Denyse Whillier, a former Chief Executive with more than 25 years of business experience under my favourite Sézane belt. I upcycle my skills and experience to provide business mentoring and strategic support, reimagined for female founded businesses.
My mission is simple. It’s to make it easier for women to build thriving brands which are aligned with their purpose and values and to close the gender gap in entrepreneurship, one female founder at a time.
To find out how I can support you on your business journey, check out this link. And if you’d like to know more about the results my clients get, here are some of my case studies.
One-off advice | 3-hour intensive | Ongoing monthly business coaching | Done-for-you business audit