Not Ready to Make Nice

When asked, who do you admire most as a leader - I always immediately think of the Dixie Chicks.  In 2003, while traveling in Europe, Natalie Maines (lead singer of the band) stated that the band was embarrassed that George W. Bush was from Texas and that they were not in favour of the impending war with Iraq.  These comments did not go over well to say the very least.  People from all over the United States demanded that their local radio stations stop playing the band's songs.  They burned their CD's and boycotted their concerts. 

What I admire about the Dixie Chicks the most is that they had everything to lose and indeed lost a lot, but they never backed down from what they said.  They stood by their comments and each other and accepted the consequences of the fall out.  To me, that shows courage, integrity and the most important quality of a leader - the willingness to be accountable.  They stuck to their principles and they stood their ground.

They have always been my favourite band, and after that happened, they gained my respect and unwavering devotion to them as people. I would also argue that their best CD was released in 2006 as a very personal portrait of that time in their lives.  The single "Not Ready to Make Nice" is the perfect response to the controversy.  The best part is that at the 49th Grammy awards the song won - Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Country Music Performance by a Duo or Group. It is rumoured that they are back in the studio recording new music.  I really hope that is true as I would love the opportunity to see them in concert again.