During a recent CNN town hall, Vice President Kamala Harris offered a candid glimpse into her approach to leadership and decision-making, highlighting both the challenges and strengths that shape her role as one of the nation’s highest-ranking officials. Known for her deliberate and meticulous style, Harris shared insights into how she navigates complex policy issues, balances competing perspectives, and ensures that her decisions are well-informed and reflective of a broader understanding of the issues at hand.
Embracing Thoughtful Decision-Making
Harris openly acknowledged that making swift decisions is not always her natural inclination. She explained that she tends to thoroughly research issues before taking action, a method she believes ensures accuracy, clarity, and long-term effectiveness. “I like to dig into the details,” Harris said, emphasizing that careful analysis often leads to better policy outcomes than making impulsive choices.
Her transparency about this trait marks a departure from the stereotype of leaders needing to act decisively in the moment without hesitation. Instead, Harris framed her deliberate approach as a strength, noting that in many policy arenas, understanding nuances and considering long-term consequences outweighs the benefits of speed.
“Sometimes people see hesitation as a weakness,” she said, “but for me, taking the time to research, ask questions, and understand the full scope of a problem is how I ensure that the decisions I make have substance and integrity.”
Collaboration as a Core Leadership Value
A significant portion of Harris’s reflection centered on her reliance on her team. She admitted that she often leans on advisors for guidance and input, recognizing that leadership is most effective when informed by a diversity of perspectives. Rather than viewing this dependence as a liability, Harris presented it as a deliberate strategy for gathering insight and ensuring that all relevant considerations are taken into account before reaching conclusions.
“I surround myself with people who are smarter than I am in their respective areas,” Harris explained. “Leadership is not about making decisions in isolation. It’s about listening to the expertise around you and making sure that all viewpoints are heard.”
By emphasizing collaborative decision-making, Harris underscored the importance of dialogue, consultation, and inclusivity in modern leadership. She highlighted that effective leaders are those who can integrate knowledge from multiple sources, weigh differing opinions, and arrive at thoughtful, well-reasoned policies that serve the public interest.
Balancing Speed and Accuracy
Throughout the town hall, Harris acknowledged the trade-offs inherent in her decision-making process. While deliberate research can sometimes slow the pace of action, she argued that accuracy and understanding ultimately produce stronger outcomes. This approach, she noted, is particularly important when tackling complex national and international issues where rushed decisions could have far-reaching consequences.
Harris provided examples from her tenure in government, illustrating how thorough evaluation and consultation have informed key policy decisions. From legislative priorities to crisis management, she emphasized that careful preparation allows leaders to anticipate challenges, mitigate risks, and implement solutions with confidence.
The Role of a Diverse Advisory Team
Harris also elaborated on the composition and significance of her advisory team. She stressed that diversity—both in expertise and perspective—is central to effective governance. Having access to advisors from varied backgrounds, with different experiences and viewpoints, allows her to understand the implications of decisions from multiple angles.
“A good leader knows they don’t have all the answers,” Harris said. “The strength of leadership is knowing who to ask, where to get the best information, and how to weigh differing perspectives to reach the most informed decision.”
By embracing collaboration and valuing input from her advisors, Harris highlighted a key distinction between decision-making and leadership: the former can involve analyzing data and expert recommendations, while the latter is about orchestrating the process, considering the human and societal impacts, and ultimately making the call with wisdom and judgment.
Leadership Lessons from Harris’s Approach
Harris’s candid reflections offer broader lessons for leadership at all levels. Her approach emphasizes the importance of:
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Deliberation: Taking time to research and understand issues deeply before acting.
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Collaboration: Engaging advisors and stakeholders to consider multiple perspectives.
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Informed Risk-Taking: Making decisions based on comprehensive analysis rather than impulsive instincts.
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Adaptability: Recognizing when to act decisively and when additional reflection is necessary.
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Empathy and Inclusivity: Understanding that leadership impacts people, and considering the social and human dimensions of policy decisions.
Her acknowledgment that thoughtful decision-making may not always be rapid reflects an awareness that effective leadership balances speed with accuracy, and decisiveness with consultation.
Public Perception and Transparency
By sharing her approach publicly, Harris reinforced a message of transparency and authenticity in leadership. In an era where rapid communication and immediate reactions are often prized, her admission that she prefers thorough research challenges the expectation that leaders must always provide instant answers. Instead, she models a leadership style rooted in integrity, accountability, and careful consideration.
Observers noted that Harris’s honesty about her process fosters trust among constituents, illustrating that effective governance is grounded in reflection and knowledge rather than performance or expedience.
Emphasizing Teamwork and Collective Wisdom
Harris repeatedly highlighted the value of a strong, knowledgeable team in supporting informed decisions. She stressed that leadership is not an individual pursuit but a collective effort that leverages the expertise of many to achieve the best outcomes. Her remarks underline a key principle of modern leadership: success often depends on collaboration, mentorship, and empowering others to contribute meaningfully to the decision-making process.
“When you have a team of smart, committed people around you, you make better decisions because you can see the problem from multiple angles,” Harris said. “It’s not about showing strength alone—it’s about harnessing collective wisdom.”
Thoughtfulness Over Impulsivity
A recurring theme throughout Harris’s discussion was the value of thoughtfulness over impulsivity. She acknowledged that her style is not flawless, but she believes that the benefits of careful deliberation outweigh the drawbacks. By prioritizing informed choices and long-term outcomes, Harris positions herself as a leader who values substance over speed, analysis over assumption, and inclusivity over unilateral action.
Her approach challenges the conventional notion that strong leaders must always act immediately. Instead, she suggests that measured, informed decision-making fosters better results and ensures that policies and actions reflect a comprehensive understanding of their implications.
Leadership in the Modern Era
Harris’s insights are particularly relevant in today’s complex political and social environment. Leaders face rapidly evolving challenges, from domestic policy debates to global crises. In such a landscape, the ability to synthesize information, consult experts, and consider diverse perspectives is crucial. Harris’s commitment to thorough research and collaborative decision-making offers a model for leadership that balances responsibility with responsiveness.
Reflections on Personal Growth
Throughout the town hall, Harris reflected on her own growth as a leader. She acknowledged that leaning on advisors and taking time to research are both strengths and areas for improvement. By embracing her approach with self-awareness, she demonstrated a capacity for reflection, adaptability, and continuous learning—qualities essential for effective leadership.
“I don’t pretend to have all the answers,” Harris said. “But I do know how to gather the right information, listen to the right people, and make decisions that reflect thoughtfulness, integrity, and care.”
Her acknowledgment of both her strengths and limitations models a balanced and mature approach to leadership, one that prioritizes thoughtful action over the appearance of immediate decisiveness.
Conclusion: A Leadership Style Rooted in Thoughtfulness and Collaboration
Vice President Kamala Harris’s reflections at the CNN town hall provide valuable insight into her approach to governance. By emphasizing careful research, collaboration, and reliance on a diverse team of advisors, she presents a model of leadership that values informed decision-making, inclusivity, and integrity.
Harris’s candid acknowledgment of her tendencies—taking time to understand issues and leaning on her team—is framed not as a weakness, but as a conscious strategy for achieving better outcomes. Her approach underscores the importance of collective wisdom, thoughtful deliberation, and leadership that prioritizes the long-term consequences of decisions over immediate appearances.
In a world that often prizes speed and decisiveness, Harris offers a compelling reminder that effective leadership also requires patience, humility, and a willingness to listen. By embracing both her strengths and areas for growth, she exemplifies a leadership style rooted in collaboration, thoughtfulness, and the pursuit of excellence—an approach that aims to deliver policies and decisions that are both wise and inclusive.