Rehabilitation is nearly impossible for Strauss-Kahn

Question: Given the nature of the allegations and his past history, could Dominique Strauss-Kahn recover the credibility necessary to lead the IMF, or run for president of France, even if he were found innocent of last weekend’s sexual assault charges?

The allegations sound credible, though we do not yet have any significant response from Strauss-Kahn, an omission that already lends weight to the complaint. And the Socialist party in France has peremptorily removed him as a possible party candidate for president, again reflecting its views of the gravity of the charges.

Even if he is ultimately found not guilty or even if he is not brought to trial, the accuser would have to be determined to have the characteristics of the accuser of the Duke University lacrosse team in order for Strauss-Kahn to be rehabilitated sufficiently even return to the IMF, much less to run for president of France. That he should engage in such an activity, even if his intentions were misconstrued, is mind boggling.

This piece is part of a discussion with our On Leadership panel of experts about the IMF’s Dominique Strauss-Kahn, and whether his credibility is recoverable.

Click here to see our full discussion page, or dive straight into another expert’s perspective by following one of the links below:

Michael Maccoby: Servants not seducers

Michael Useem: Character shattered is career ending

John Baldoni: Dominique Strauss-Kahn, and the price of hubris

Warren Bennis: An extraordinary exception to the French media's typical languor

Marshall Goldsmith: DSK should never be an elected leader in France

Slade Gorton: Rehabilitation is nearly impossible for Strauss-Kahn

Slade Gorton  | May 13, 2011 11:45 AM