The Capacity for Change

For Michael J. Fox, Fullan's (2005) leadership capacities are very evident. Moral purpose is clearly the guiding principal for his work with his Parkinson’s Foundation and his advocacy of stem cell research. However, the positive reaction he receives for making a difference in the lives of millions of Parkinson’s patients has sometimes been overshadowed by his vehement quest for stem cell research. Many people are religiously and morally opposed to the stem cell research that Fox advocates for, but he contends that this research can be handled responsibly. Fox rejoiced when President Obama lifted the ban on federally funded stem cell research because he spent a lot of time and effort on the campaign trail focusing on that particular outcome and he remains optimistic that this is one of the answers he has been seeking. “Michael believes President Obama's decision is a step in the right direction. ‘It was absolutely crucial that this research be unfettered and allowed today to go forward in a responsible way,’ [Fox] says. ‘People's concerns, I understand, and I just have faith in our scientists and the research community that they'll do this ethically and to good purpose’.” (Oz, 2009). Regardless of other people's perceptions, Michael J. Fox is convinced of his moral purpose and he allows it to drive him toward success.

Fox is often quoted when speaking about the relationships he has cultivated in his quest for a cure. These relationships range from his family members to business gurus to other advocates with a similar mission like Lance Armstrong, and Fox’s networking strategy has proved the importance of developing good relationships. Fox told a leadership forum about this by saying, “So I suppose that is lesson number one: surround yourself with smart, dedicated people…hire the smartest people you can find. I must say, I continue to be amazed at the intelligence, commitment and dedication of our advisors, our Board and our staff, many of whom devote considerable time and resources, even though they have no connection to the disease” (Fox, 2005). Aside from cultivating important business relationships, Fox has also strengthened his bond with wife, Tracey Pollan, and their four children and he uses their support to increase his drive and determination as well.

Fox also understands the necessity for change and this ties into the prior characteristics of moral purpose and relationship building because he has become a catalyst for change because of his strong moral goals and the relationships he has forged as a result. For Fox, the most crucial change is in the form of a cure to Parkinson’s Disease. Since there is currently no cure, he strives to change the way the research is conducted and, in doing so, he has changed the function of his non-profit organization and he has been successful so far. About his goals for change he said, “The timeframe was ambitious: find a cure within the decade, which scientists believe is possible. We wanted to create a tipping point, a critical mass of discovery so that a cure becomes inevitable. This is a "moon shot" goal and we didn't know realistically whether it could happen. But we share this hope and sense of urgency with six million Parkinson's patients around the world. So the second lesson would be to aim high, focus your energies and color everything you do with a sense of urgency. You may not reach the moon, but you could end up on top of the mountain” (Fox, 2005). Fox’s goals for change with a sense of urgency coupled with his theory of the importance of optimism has truly changed the way that scientists and patients are viewing Parkinson’s Disease.

Of course, change would not be possible without knowledge, and Fox admits that he started off deficient in regard to his scientific knowledge base, “When we began, I didn't know a whole lot about science or the brain. I'm still no expert, by any means. But scientists make it clear. Among all the neurological disorders, Parkinson's is the best understood and likely the first to be solved. And advances in the field promise to benefit Alzheimer's, ALS, MS and other diseases…Since we began, we've funded more than $55 million in science, supporting more than 200 research projects in 18 countries around the world” (Fox, 2005). Not only did Fox need to increase his knowledge of science, he also had to increase his knowledge about people and about business in order to revolutionize an approach that could do what past efforts had failed to do. He explains, “We also wanted a new standard for accountability. We ask scientists to focus on outcomes, not just experiments, and report to us periodically on their progress. Increasingly, we are asking for specific milestones and some are go/no-go points for additional funding” (Fox, 2005). These new standards represent the building and sharing of knowledge as they become a catalyst for change and also help to build relationships between the funding sources and the scientists to further embody the significance of Fox’s leadership.

Since Fox is such a significant leader in the field of Parkinson’s research, he has done a phenomenal job at making things coherent. In his book, Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist, he brings together four key facets of his life – work, politics, faith, and family, and he brings the same four facets together in his everyday life. Fox is successfully combining his family, his celebrity persona, his tragic diagnosis, his political beliefs and his personal beliefs into a crusade that no one could have prophesied and he is changing the world in the process. As he points out, “That is perhaps the most important lesson: take risks, look for the gaps and do what no one else is doing” (Fox, 2005).

References:

Fullan, M., Cuttress, C., & Kilcher A. (2005). 8 Forces for leaders of change. Retrieved from http://michaelfullan.ca/Articles_06/8ForcesforLeaders.pdf

Fox, M. J. (2009). Always looking up: The adventures of an incurable optimist.
New York: Hyperion.

Fox, M. J. (2005, October 19). Michel J Fox addresses the Benjamin Franklin
Leadership Symposium at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social
Policy and Practice. Address presented at Benjamin Franklin Leadership
Symposium, The University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved from: http://www.michaeljfox.org /newsEvents_michaelInTheNews_article.cfm?ID=15

Oz, M. (2009, March 19). Michael J. Fox's life with Parkinson's - Stem cells,
optimism, and more! Retrieved February 24, 2010, from Oprah.com website:
http://www.oprah.com/health/
Michael-J-Foxs-Life-with-Parkinsons-Stem-Cells-Optimism-and-More/1