Trump-Biden debate highlights a key responsibility of leaders: replacing yourself

Good morning.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off on the debate stage last night for the first time since 2020. For both men, it was a chance to change the narrative on their leadership challenges, calming concerns about two key questions: Could they serve another four years? Are they focused on the right priorities?

Neither likely made traction in quieting their critics, but the format proved beneficial to Trump. The conditions imposed by CNN—no audience and enforceable time limits—made it hard for the former president to interrupt, which may have helped him deliver a more disciplined performance than in previous debates. Biden didn’t come across as well, looking frail and unfocused at several key points.

For most Americans, the primary concern about both contenders comes down to judgement. They worry about the psychological state of Trump and cognitive state of Biden. Deficiencies on either front would obviously be a problem for the nation’s commander-in-chief. When Trump tossed out insults or falsehoods, he reinforced what friends and foes have come to expect. But Biden’s stumbles were likely more of a shock, from the mumbling to mistakenly saying “we finally beat Medicare.”

Where one stands on the policy front is obviously personal, which is why everyone wants clear answers on their core priorities. Whether the viewers got what they wanted is also personal. I did not. I would have liked to hear their vision for how to leverage technology in ways that drive inclusive growth, debate about regulations and the role of government, more clarity on how they define “perfect water” or “corporate greed.”

Instead, I was reminded of another key responsibility for every leader: replacing yourself. One reason succession plans fail is that the current leader doesn’t want to leave. Potential challengers step aside. Colleagues become impotent, making decisions that appease the boss at the expense of the organization. Inertia can take over and people become less engaged.

In taunting each other about their age and prowess in sport, Trump and Biden reminded viewers that they’re old: 78 and 81, respectively. Are they strong enough to carry their own clubs in a game of high-stakes golf, as each challenged the other at the end? I don’t know. With a range of new threats and opportunities highlighting the need for strong leadership, last night’s debate made me wonder about the party apparatus that left us with this choice.

More news below.

Diane Brady
diane.brady@fortune.com
Follow on LinkedIn

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com