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In the Fall of 2022, my Leadership Lectures expanded to look
at not only a former President BEFORE he becomes President, but a noted
business leader, and a famed explorer whose planning went completely
awry. All of these examples of real world leadership are stories that
should be celebrated and remembered. Not only are the stories thrilling
- but the lessons are vital ones for people of all ages!
Herbert Hoover - BEFORE
he became President
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Monday Oct 3rd at noon (Zoom at 6:30 PM)
 Before
his presidency, Herbert Hoover blazed a trail around the world. The
young man born and orphaned in Iowa possessed an incredible intellect
and the gritty gumption to carry out his ideas. His brilliant work in
mining made him rich, but his time in the outback of Australia and his
adventures in China's Boxer Rebellion read like an Indiana Jones novel!
For people sitting in their living room as the 20th century dawned in
America, he was an exciting read, and a fascinating personality.
Hoover's stature only grew as the War in Europe dawned. 'Bert',
and his wife Lou - another Iowan - put their skills and their
fortune to work saving those caught up in the outbreak of the first war
to engulf the entire world. Trapped between German bayonets and a
British blockade, Belgium in the fall of 1914 faced imminent starvation.
"Let the fortune go to hell," he said. He inspired a team of young men
to join him in the effort to save the Belgium people from the slow death
that the war had put in motion. Along the way, he mobilized business
leaders, common people, and everyone in between to work toward the good
of their fellow man.
He also angered and frustrated the governments of Germany, England,
AND the United States - all of whom were certain he was a spy for the
enemy as he crossed the North Sea 40 times. He didn't care. He ran over
anyone who tried to stop him. And he succeeded in saving a generation of
young people in Europe who would remember him for the rest of their
lives. They would pass down through their children the stories of 'the
man who saved Belgium.'
The people of Belgium today still honor him. His selfless
humanitarian work made him a household name, and a person parents held
up as an example to their children.
Hoover wasn't finished. The amazing devastation of the Great War, and
the failure of the post-war governments in the treaty of Versailles made
him turn his immense organizational skills toward public service -
again, to try to make a difference. He accepted the post of Secretary of
Commerce and became the de facto "Under-Secretary of everything else."
The young men he had mentored followed him into government service as
well, and worked to make his initiatives reality. His insights brought
order out of chaos as the new technologies and industries swept over
America.
Join me at Western Iowa Tech on Monday October 3rd, to experience the
wonders of the whirlwind his many followers would forever call "the
Chief!" And see how one person can make a difference.
Click here to
see the Zoom discussion of Herbert Hoover!
Ernest Shackleton
August, 1914, Ernest Shackleton sailed from England leading a party of
explorers to Antarctica. From the start, things went badly. Far short of
their intended landing site, the expedition's ship, the Endurance,
became trapped in the ice. The crew drifted with the ship for 10 months
until the packed ice crushed the ship. The crew, now stranded on the ice
without cover, could only drift at the whim of the ice floes.
Well, not if Shakleton had anything to say about it. They would plan,
prepare, and push these men off this ice and back to civilization if it
killed him. And it almost did.
The key to survival depended on not only intelligence and experience,
which Shackleton offered, but also leadership in a situation of extreme
tension and high doubt. The outcome of the story is well known - but the
details of leadership in the extremes is an important lesson for all
would be leaders!
Click here to see
the Zoom discussion of Shackleton's adventures!
Other Leadership classes
this term:
Warren Buffett
Clearly, the Oracle of Omaha has an amazing track record of success. He
was a millionaire by age thirty. How did that happen? Was he born into
wealth? These questions, and others, are tonight's agenda!
What makes Warren Buffett so influential?
What are the steps in Buffett’s style of Leadership?
What makes him good at it?
How did Buffett start in business?
Why does he think his methods succeed?
If all you know about Buffett
are the headlines, his story will likely surprise you. He is often
referred to as the 'Sage of the Plains' and he certainly is far more
reminiscent of a community elder when he discusses business. He is not
the typical 1980's 'Greed is Good' business mogul. Nor is he the
standard 'buy it cheap, cut expenditures to the bone, and flip it for a
profit' investor. And the story of his childhood hustle can't help but
impress you.
Click here to see
the Zoom talk of Buffett's Leadership style
DR. ROBERT E. DUNKER ANNUAL LECTURES
This series is named in honor of Dr. Robert E. Dunker, president
emeritus of Western Iowa Tech Community College and founder of The
Institute for Lifelong Learning. This annual series of lectures began in
2008.
The following criteria evaluate the Presidents we review. Do they use
these skills effectively?
Insight - the ability to correctly define Issues
Vision – to see a path that overcomes issues
Communicator – the ability to share the vision, and
move people toward that vision
Resolve – the perseverance to work toward that end.
Inclusiveness – an ability to work with others, for the
greater good, not just a short term win.
Other Leadership classes
previous terms:
Presidential Leadership
For questions, send me a note by clicking
here.
Want to see a list of ALL my classes over the years?
Click here for
class list!
“His ratings were the highest for our entire season of 12 workshops, and
far eclipsed those for the previous season. He created a fantastic
class, and people left feeling empowered.” -- Dr. Lynn Barteck, Tri
State Graduate Center
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