Bob Schwartz

Over the course of decades, Bernie Madoff ran the largest Ponzi scheme in history, defrauding investors of an estimated $65 billion. He was caught in 2008 and died in prison in 2021. A stunningly talented man.

Maybe we are looking for the wrong things in our leaders. We keep a list of virtues that we think a leader should have. Maybe that is old-fashioned thinking. Maybe we are naïve. Maybe there are important qualities beyond those virtues.

We missed our chance to elect Bernie Madoff. But plenty of opportunities to elect other great con men—or women—may present themselves. If we are intent on electing a con man, why not the best?