ABSTRACT
The American president has been called the most personal of our elected officials (Barber, 1972), and yet is seen at a distance from the public, even when viewed on television at home. The “majesty” of the presidency also can make for perceived aloofness psychologically from citizens and their everyday concerns. This chapter is directed primarily at how a president, a powerful but distant leader, bridges the “power distance gap.” His essential leadership task (and someday hers) is to reach followers, to gain and hold their support, by showing how he will fulfill their and national needs, because to be a leader depends importantly on followers.
