Ken Adelman

Ken Adelman

Vice-President, Movers and Shakespeares

Ken Adelman is currently vice-president of Movers and Shakespeares, which conducts executive training through leadership lessons from Shakespeare. Ambassador Adelman began teaching Shakespeare in 1977 at Georgetown University, and later with honors students at George Washington University.

During the Reagan Administration, Ken Adelman was an Ambassador to the United Nations and then Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, accompanying President Reagan on his superpower summits with Mikhail Gorbachev.

Adelman was a philosophy major at Grinnell College and then attended Georgetown University, where he received a Masters in Foreign Service Studies and Doctorate in Political Theory.

He is the author of five books -- including co-author of Shakespeare in Charge -- and hundreds of articles, was for 20 years national editor of Washingtonian magazine, and for six years a member of the Defense Policy Board. 

While living in Africa from 1972 to 1975, Adelman translated for Mohammed Ali during “The Rumble in the Jungle” heavyweight championship fight in Zaire, and participated in the Zaire River Expedition, venturing down the Congo River on the 100th Anniversary of Stanley’s exploration.

We have to work closely with our allies to fight terrorism effectively.
Adelman talks about why he loves the Aspen Ideas festival.
3mins
Bring the future into the present and motivate.
1mins
Adelman believes it is crucial to reward those that innovate.
1mins
We need to do more to preserve intellectual property rights, Adelman says.
Spin less and treat other countries with respect.
1mins
When things don’t go right, it’s okay to change the equation.
4mins
George W. Bush and Henry V present a striking parallel.
1mins
We should have turned it over to a small group of Iraqis, or one capable figurehead, Adelman says.
1mins
The Bush administration bungled the occupation of Iraq just as they did responding to Hurricane Katrina.
2mins
Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein’s active WMD program were a double threat that we needed to address with force, Adelman says.
2mins
Adelman believes it must be dealt with seriously and forcefully.
1mins
Teaching Shakespeare the way it was meant to be taught: on DVD.
1mins
Adelman hopes that we have moved beyond social engineering.
2mins
Adelman finds nature and art to be more inspiring than a synagogue.
2mins
People want to perfect complex subjects more than easy subjects.