Leadership that delivers

It  is not in my usual character to devote this column to singing the praises of individuals. Those who have followed this discourse over the years will readily attest that I have consistently maintained a principled distance from personality glorification. My interventions have always been issue-driven rather than personality-driven, for I firmly believe that public institutions should be stronger than the individuals who temporarily occupy them. Nevertheless, there are occasions when silence itself becomes an injustice. There are moments when exceptional public service deserves to be acknowledged, not because the recipient seeks applause, but because society must learn to celebrate exce...