By Larry Olmstead

Every major crisis or controversy offers its lessons for leaders. The Don Imus affair is no exception.

Imus, of course, is the veteran shock jock who was fired by CBS last week after a broadcast in which he called members of the Rutgers NCAA finalist women’s basketball team “nappy-headed hos.” Much good has been written – including by my colleague, Jerry Ceppos – about the ethical and diversity implications of this offensive remark. There are some takeaways here for leaders and managers too. F

First, make no mistake that columnists and anchors are in leadership roles. Having an important role and large visibility does carry with it higher responsibility. I remember the stir caused when then-NBA star Charles Barkley declared he did not view himself as a role model for children. I think an older, more mature Barkley – the one who flirts with a career in politics - probably now sees the fallacy of that comment. When you are seen and heard by millions, you are a role model whether you like it or not. Whether that is right or fair is beside the point. Even if your job is to be provocative, you have to know where to draw the line.

As managing editor of the Miami Herald, I had the pleasure of working with Dave Barry, the great humor columnist. Dave, of course, could be outrageous. But he always had a great sense about the power of his voice, and the boundary between being funny and actually hurting someone.

Good leaders, even those with huge egos, always remember they are part of something bigger. They cannot see themselves as more important than the companies that employ them, the constituencies they represent, the causes they espouse. For all his individual fame, for example, Dave Barry was always aware of his responsibility to the Herald. Imus, who attracted millions in revenue for CBS, obviously forgot that part of the deal. Once the sponsorships started getting pulled, the lesson was driven home vividly.

In times of crisis, when the course is clear, one must act decisively. Bryan Monroe, president of the National Association of Black Journalists, knew to respond immediately to Imus’ racially charged comments. Monroe’s eloquent, clear-headed response to Imus helped clarify the issues. It resulted both in Imus’ dismissal and a level of public discourse that hopefully will result in some long-term good.

Decisiveness also means quickly and sincerely admitting when you’re wrong. Imus apologized, but his apologies sounded defensive and at the same time he lashed out at others. When you are wrong, simply admit you are wrong. You can address the shortcomings of others at another time.Finally, leadership is, if nothing else, about accountability. Leaders hold themselves – and others – accountable. Excuses, blame, questions of fair or unfair – at the end of the day, bad results are bad results, and leaders lose credibility when they are not addressed. CBS chief executive Les Moonves last Thursday finally stepped up to this responsibility.