Great Leaders Maintain Their Stature!

Often we point to great leaders on a global or national level and wonder what they would be like if they were “ordinary citizens” just like you and me. Take Jimmy Carter for example, regardless of your politics he became the President of the United States, clearly a role requiring high leadership.  U.S. Presidents retain their titles for life so, to me, he will likely go down in history as perhaps the greatest President, post term, we have ever had. Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his persistent interest in making the world a better place. I recently learned he is still teaching Sunday School to young people.

Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan made more money after retiring from basketball than they ever did while playing, and they did it through any number of businesses they lend their names to, run or created. These guys were great leaders on the floor and have maintained a high leadership and success lid in business well after retirement. 

Think about Bill Gates. The founder of Microsoft and billionaire is now the head of the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation which is the largest private foundation in the world. They are tackling healthcare, poverty and education as well as making technology more readily available.

I have been fortunate to work with people who have managed to maintain high leadership lids and a penchant for success while their careers have changed, gone off course or even ended in the classical sense. I have always believed in our great leaders and I feel they are heroic, but the true heroes are tucked in the small communities that make this country great.

For instance consider Hannah Duffy who was a 13-year-old girl who lived in Tinton Falls, NJ. Hannah grasped the hearts and minds of all of us as she fought a valiant fight against cancer. While she lost the battle she affected the hearts of thousands of people as she sought two very simple but powerful wishes: to never be forgotten and to continue to fight for a cure. See her story here, it is unforgettable. Two years later and she still holds distinctive leadership stature. http://www.hannahduffy.org

Another great example is Travis Mills who was critically injured in 2013 while on patrol on his third tour in Afghanistan.  He lost portions of both legs and both arms. Travis is one of only five quadruple amputees to survive the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has been a source of inspiration for other wounded soldiers throughout his own recovery. Read about his life and support his heroic efforts here http://www.travismills.org. 

Travis' tag line "Never Give Up, Never Quit" is hard to suppress once you have experienced his story. Still leading in the face of adversity.

For me, it is hard to consider myself a leader when I read about these heroes and the thousands more like them.  I try to lead and get better at everything I do every day. I guess I am just thankful I get the chance to still be in the game.

My Best,