Your next is best: compelling imperatives of leadership

I have been blessed to serve as the “speaker opener” before some of our world’s greatest, highly respected leaders. What’s a “speaker opener,” you ask?  In short, no different than the “opening band” that comes onstage before a headliner… in the keynote speaking world, when the keynote speaker is a “headliner” (well known leader and celebrity), there is typically a “speaker opener.”

And I, my dear reader, have served as the “speaker opener” for a robust list of leaders… in government, business, sports, etc.

I recently reviewed notes from many of these events and compiled them in this column edition… and appropriately named the following “Compelling Imperatives Of Leadership.”

I “opened” for U.S. President George H. Bush at Vizcaya Gardens in Miami Beach. Three things President Bush said about leadership were…

1. Be authentic.
2. Always be dependable.
3. Surround yourself with intelligent people.

Ironically enough, years later, I “opened” for his son, U.S. President George W. Bush at the Gaylord Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

I took away four leadership learnings from President Bush, namely, 

1. Lead compassonately.
2. Develop empathy for others.
3. Never compromise your values.
4. Be open to diverse thinking.

I “opened” for Mikhail Gorbachev then the Prime Minister of what was called “The Soviet Union” (USSR)… today called “Russia” at the Bakersfield Business Conference, in Bakersfield, California.

Through a translater, here were three pearls of wisdom on leadership Prime Minister Gorbachev shared with our audience of over 22,000 people…

1. Build strength and endurance.
2. Learn how to properly empower others.
3. Build the ability to influence.

I “opened” for the late, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto. Here’s what I learned from this incredibly intuitive leader (who was sadly assasinated in her second P.M. term).

1. Question everything for the right answers.
2. Develop strategic competencies.
3. Gain the ability to connect with diverse groups.
4. Have humility.
5. Represent decisiveness.

I was honored to “open” (a few times) for former U.S. Chief of Staff… and former U.S. Secretary of State General Colin Powell… a leader of leaders.  He strongly asserted that great leaders 

1. Should always have a willingness to listen.
2. Be an ongoing model for honesty.
3. Leaders serve and should be selfless vs. selfish.

I was grateful to be the “speaker opener” for a man credited with freeing Poland… and the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize… and former President of Poland, Lech Walesa.  Our engagement was also at the Bakersfield Business Conference before an audience in excess of 22,000.

Also through an interpreter, President Walesa focused on the following four imperatives of leadership…

1. Always persevere.
2. Gain trust from all sides of your enterprise.
3. Be a master communicator. 
4. Learn to lead the innovation process.

Having been the “speaker opener” for two Heisman Trophy honorees, Herschel Walker and Bo Jackson, I took away some important, perhaps even obvious, leadership coaching. 

Opening for Herschel Walker in the Worthington Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas… he stressed that the key to great leadership, in sport, in business and in life was 

1. Continuously learn.  Be a lifelong leader.
2. Readily take coaching and suggestions from smart people.
3. Never lose sight of your dreams.  Leaders dream. 

Opening for Bo Jackson at a private fund-raising event in Atlanta, his viewpoint on great leadership included

1. Great leaders always make the extra effort.
2. Flexibility is a key to successful leadership.
3. Great leaders have intense work ethic.
4. Great leaders are disciplilned in all they do.

I “opened” for media mogul Ted Turner a number of times but our time together in Palos Verdes Estates at the magnificant hotel Terranea where I interviewed him onstage on “leadership” was most memorable to me.  In short Ted’s viewpoints on leadership included, but surely not limited to…

1. One can’t lead without having a vision.
2. Great leaders are also great risk-takers.
3. Great leaders always lead endeavors that have impact.
4. Great leaders celebrate their uniqueness and authenticity. 

I “opened” a number of times for legendary, Hall of Fame baseball manager Tommy Lasorda (L.A. Dodgers).  His views on leadership may seem humorous but they are also profound.

1. A great leader and manager should strive to keep the players (employees) who hate you separated from those who are undecided.
2. He described how he had all the last names taken off the back of his Dodger player’s jerseys and offered this profound leadership message, “Leaders must convince their followers that they play for the name on the front of the shirt… not the name on the back!”

John Maxwell wrote, “A leader is someone who knows the way… goes the way… and shows the way.”

Augusta Press columnist and Acworth, Ga. resident, Ira Blumenthal, is a business consultant, a best-selling author, a globally renowned speaker, an educator and a youth Lacrosse coach.  Learn more about Ira and his book, Your Best Is Next, at www.iraspeak.com. You can follow Ira on instagram @irajblumenthal.

You can find Ira’s new book, RUNDOWN; Safe at Home, on Amazon.