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Insight of the Day
Quite often we feel down, disappointed, stressed or disillusioned about one or more aspects of our lives...be it family, friends, work, new challenges, etc. By offering readers a variety of insights, Modern Opportunity hopes to offer inspiration,solace and insight into the problem. Best of luck in your endeavors.
Read Never give up. When you think you should, remember the perseverance of Abraham Lincoln
LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM RONALD REAGAN by Jim Blasingame
By now you know that the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan, has died, at the age of 93.
In these days near his passing, those who knew Ronald Reagan are recounting their memories of him. While I did not know Mr. Reagan personally, I am an admirer. And what I most admire about Ronald Reagan were his skills as a leader.
It became clear early on that Reagan was a leader. He was a successful lifeguard as a young boy, he served two terms as president of the Screen Actor's Guild, he was a two-term governor of California, and of course, a two-term President of the United States.
As small business owners, regardless of political persuasion or ideology, we should consider emulating Ronald Reagan's leadership characteristics. Here are a few classic leadership qualities that Ronald Reagan demonstrated throughout his life.
Leaders rise above adversity: Ronald Reagan was a product of mid-America, born and raised in Illinois. With an alcoholic father who had difficulty keeping a job, and a seamstress/store clerk mother, Reagan certainly was not to the manor born. And yet he rose to the highest and most powerful position in the world.
Leaders don't dwell on setbacks: Following graduation from college with an economics degree, Reagan suffered the ignominy of failing to be hired as a clerk at Montgomery Ward, but immediately sought and found work as a sports announcer. Following a near-fatal assassination attempt, at the age of 69, Reagan was back at work within a month.
Leaders are not afraid to try new things: In 1937, with no special entree, connection, or training, Reagan traveled to Hollywood and read for a screen test. He so impressed the producers that he was signed to an acting contract.
Leaders know that success is more about productivity than acclaim: Reagan performed in over 50 movies. While one or two of his performances are memorable, as the king of B-movies, none rose to a level that would bring him even close to becoming an award-winning actor.
Leaders put others above themselves: That success as a lifeguard? Young Reagan saved 77 residents of Dixon, Illinois from drowning in the Rock River. As President, after arch-political enemy, Jesse Jackson, went to Libya and successfully got a downed-U.S. pilot released, Reagan held a congratulatory ceremony for the pilot - and Jackson - at the White House.
Leaders have the courage of their convictions: When in his now-famous speech at the Brandenberg Gate in West Berlin, Germany, on June 12, 1987, President Reagan told the leader of the Soviet Union, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall," many world leaders, including some members of his own State Department, thought this was dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric. Reagan believed it was the right thing to do, he did it, and millions around the world have him to thank for their freedom today.
Leaders are able to stay focused on their core beliefs: If there is one thing the world knew about Ronald Reagan when he was President, it was that he conducted himself and his work with the fundamental belief that human freedom primes everything. Reagan believed that as long as he stuck to that position when he had to make difficult decisions, he would make the best decisions.
Leaders keep things simple: Often Reagan was considered not the brightest bulb in the box. His political enemies held to that belief to their peril. At the core of Reagan's political success was his ability to return to, and manage by, the simplest elements of an issue, when others had analyzed and nuanced an issue beyond recognition.
Leaders believe in people: At a time when politicians and intellectuals around the world were minimizing the ability of the individual to know what was best for him or her, Reagan believed that only when human beings are free to seek their own goals in life, do the challenges of the world become manageable.
Leaders are often admired even by their enemies and competitors: Tip O'Neal, Democrat Speaker of the House during much of Reagan's presidency, admitted his admiration for Reagan. Plus don't forget that group of the electorate known as Reagan Democrats. And this example would not be complete without adding Soviet President Gorbachev to this list of reluctant admirers. The two men were ideologically poles apart, but Gorbachev believed he could trust Reagan to not only follow his words with action, but also to do what they had agreed to do.
Leaders are optimistic: At the end of his presidency, with the last four years not without its unfortunate and ignoble moments; leaving the office old and tired, with every justification to be melancholy about what history would say about his presidential legacy, Reagan left us with a wonderful example of his eternal optimism.
Making reference to a passage by John Winthrop, one of the pilgrims who metaphorically called the future America he saw as a shining city on a hill, President Reagan said this about that shining city:
" In my mind it is a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That's how I saw it, and see it still.
"My friends: We did it. We weren't just marking time. We made a difference. We made the city stronger, we made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad, not bad at all.
"And so, goodbye, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America."
Leaders, like Ronald Wilson Reagan, never miss an opportunity to make others feel good about themselves.
Write this on a rock - Leadership is the greatest quality for a small business owner to seek to perfect. Jim Blasingame,
The Small Business Advocate
http://www.smallbusinessadvocate.com
Never give up. When you think you should, remember the perseverance of Abraham Lincoln
He failed in business in '31.
He was defeated for state legislator in '32.
He tried another business in '33. It failed.
His fiancee died in '35.
He had a nervous breakdown in '36.
In '43 he ran for congress and was defeated.
He tried again in '48 and was defeated again.
He tried running for the Senate in '55. He lost.
The next year he ran for Vice President and lost.
In '59 he ran for the Senate again and was defeated.
In 1860, he was elected the 16th President of the United States.
Courage is bravery that had time to think about it. The difference between history's boldest accomplishments and its most staggering failures is often, simply, the diligent will to persevere.
Thanks for being part of our community. I'll see you on the radio and the Internet. -Jim Blasingame, The Small Business Advocate
http://www.smallbusinessadvocate.com
*The publisher of Modern Opportunity has the final decision regarding which insights to use.
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