Lead Like Reagan E-Book

Dan Quiggle

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 201

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Beschreibung

A first-hand account of Ronald Reagan's leadership style, with personal insight and practical application. Lead Like Reagan is a guide to more effective leadership, inspired by the Great Communicator himself. Drawing upon his time serving Ronald Reagan, author Dan Quiggle relates lessons learned first-hand from his front row seat to history. Using Reagan and other prominent business leaders as examples, Quiggle illustrates what leadership looks like at the highest levels, why such leadership is effective, and how it can be successfully emulated. Readers will learn strategies to motivate, communicate, and inspire, forming a unique leadership template with personal application. Sitting at the feet of greatness and personally observing what Ronald Reagan did and said, made an indelible mark on Dan's own personal leadership style, shaping his thoughts about the key traits and actions of great leaders. In Lead Like Reagan, readers gain insight into both the personal attributes and leadership traits which are required to lead with vision, excellence, and impact. Practical advice and inspiring vision provide a template to: * Assemble the right people to form a successful team * Earn loyalty and commitment from others * Lead by example to model excellence * Manage crises by finding the opportunity in the midst of challenge * Leave a lasting legacy of optimism and inspiration Leadership is a process of continual growth and Ronald Reagan provides an inspiring example. Lead Like Reagan is a meaningful and memorable guide to leadership, forging a framework for inspiring greatness and achieving success.

Leseprobe

CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Preface

Chapter 1: Creating the Vision: Setting Expansive Goals

Painting the Target

Vision in Action

Creating the Vision

Chapter 2: Assembling the Team: Inspiring Loyalty and Commitment

The Value of a Kitchen Cabinet

Finding and Feeding Motivation

Expand Leadership

Invest in Excellence

Assembling the Team

Chapter 3: Communicating a Message: Connecting Others to Your Vision

Memorable Messaging

Communicating with Impact

Communicating a Message

Chapter 4: Leading by Example: Using Emotional Intelligence to Model Excellence

Earn, Don't Demand Loyalty

Dream Sharing

Instinct and Emotional Intelligence

Intuitive Leadership

Strong Sense of Self

Drive toward Success

Empathy toward Others

Situational Awareness

Timing and Approach

Trust and Teamwork

Leading by Example

Chapter 5: Taking Action: Turning Ideas into Achievement

Setting Priorities

Take Action as a Team

Implement the Plan

Assess and Adjust

Pursue Efficiency

Challenge the Status Quo

Taking Action

Chapter 6: Handling Crisis: Finding Opportunity in Challenges

“It CAN Be Done”

Crisis = Danger + Opportunity

Focus on the Opening

Overcoming Distractions

Competition Creates Opportunity

Overcoming Setbacks

Adjusting Course

Overcoming Apathy

Handling Crisis

Chapter 7: Changing the World: Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Lead Like Reagan

Invest in Others

The Power of Gratitude

Focus on What Matters

Inspire Optimism

Your Life Legacy

Changing the World

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Index

End User License Agreement

Guide

Cover

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1

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Lead Like Reagan

Strategies to Motivate, Communicate, and Inspire

Dan Quiggle

Cover image: Courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Library

Cover design: Wiley

Copyright © 2014 by The Quiggle Group. All rights reserved.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.

Published simultaneously in Canada.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, [phone], fax [phone], or on the web at www.copyright.com. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, [phone], fax [phone], or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permission.

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ISBN 978-1-118-92845-5 (cloth); ISBN 978-1-118-92846-2 (ebk);

ISBN 978-1-118-92847-9 (ebk)

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my wife, Luanne, who makes life fun and exciting. You are smart and beautiful and an incredible wife and mother. You make all of us better because of your true love for life. You are the most supportive wife a man could ever dream of having and have always been that way. I have enjoyed life′s journey because you have made it purposeful and gratifying. Luanne, I love you and appreciate all you do for me and our family. Because of you we have three incredible children, Justin, Corinne, and Eric. Wow. Life is good.

Justin—You are such an incredible son and a true leader in our family. You have not only been a great role model for your brother and sister but also for others. I admire the way you treat people and strive to be your best and I am so proud of all the ways you impact others positively. You will undoubtedly change the world for the better because you have a smart mind, a great sense of humor, a deep compassion for others, and a great love for this country.

Corinne—You are extremely smart and unbelievably athletic, and I am blessed to have you as my daughter. I have marveled at your commitment to your studies as well as the sport you love, volleyball. You are a sweet and loyal sister to your brothers and a good role model to all young women striving to mix academics and athletics. I encourage you to follow your dreams and hope you always know I am so proud to be your dad.

Eric—You have been given a wonderful brother and sister to emulate, yet I enjoy watching you forge your own path. You have been showered with love your entire life and in turn are sharing your loving spirit and good heart with others. Your passion for life is contagious and energizes me. Continue to dream and work hard. The sky is the limit for you!

I've been blessed by a loving and supportive family. I'm humbled and grateful.

Preface

On January 18, 1993, Ronald Reagan's former Vice President and sitting President George H. W. Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor that the United States can bestow, which recognizes individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural, or other significant public or private endeavors.” I was fortunate to be able to help on that day and was thrilled to have the chance to congratulate Ronald Reagan on that well deserved honor.

Source: The Office of Ronald Reagan photograph by Peggy Grande, Courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Library.

President Ronald Reagan's world-changing power as a leader came not from flexing his political muscle but from an authentic consistency of both thought and action that personified humility, loyalty, and respect. Is this a surprising recipe for greatness? Those around Ronald Reagan felt appreciated by him and connected to him, so they sincerely reciprocated—not only with their loyalty, but with their best work and greatest effort.

This book uses Ronald Reagan, my former boss and lifelong role model, as its primary leadership example. By looking back in history we can see timeless principles in action, which provide a framework for future success and excellence in business and personal life. President Reagan often used stories to make a point or relate to his audience. This book incorporates his stories and speeches, as well as many taken from a wide representation of business leaders and CEOs, and from my own personal experiences. Stories have the power to impact and are used to exemplify what I learned and witnessed.

Imagine how fortunate I was to see at a young age what real leadership looks like. And it wasn't just from the president. It was from the entire team that surrounded him. I am extremely careful to never overstate my position in the office. I was still in college as all of this was occurring, which makes it even more incredible that the opportunity even happened. There I was on February 6, 1989—the president's birthday and my first full day in his office. I was in the conference room with a small group of people singing “Happy Birthday” to Ronald Reagan.

That marked the beginning of a surreal, incredible experience that changed the way I viewed leadership and confirmed all the good things I had thought about the president. Politics aside, Ronald Reagan is remembered as one of the most instinctive, intuitive, emotionally intelligent leaders in recent history. He lived a life of impact—not only on the world stage, but also by investing personally in individuals all around him. As a result, he forever changed my life, and the lives of countless others, for the better.

By looking at Ronald Reagan's leadership style and that of other successful leaders, as well as incorporating my own personal experiences, patterns emerge that make it easy to create a profile of specific traits and leadership maxims that you can implement immediately and that will guide you toward greater personal growth and professional success.

Loyalty and teamwork can accomplish absolutely extraordinary things. Ronald Reagan believed in building people up, not tearing them down. As a result of this dynamic synergy during the 1980s, individuals were inspired and energized, patriotism domestically was renewed, nations were freed, and the world was forever changed.

Whether leading a nonprofit organization, small business, Fortune 500 company, or a family, it's easy to assume that as leaders we should already have all the answers. In reality, our ability to learn, apply, and adapt is what differentiates mediocre leaders from exceptional ones. Exceptional leaders realize that there is always more to learn. The learning process never ends. Learning distinguishes between those who merely do a job and those who pursue excellence, raising up great leaders all around them in the process.

Framing your mind-set for maximizing leadership opportunities yields exponential dividends. Investing in your leadership is an investment in success. It is possible to study examples of effectiveness and learn how to become a great leader, even if it doesn't come naturally to you. You can learn how to motivate and inspire others, set realistic but ambitious goals, and learn to manage and lead your way to greater effectiveness, impact, and success.

There is no question that leaders will always eventually face challenging times. However, when the times get tough, rather than sticking to their vision—their offense—many leaders play it safe, forgoing risk and moving themselves and their businesses into a posture of defense, despite the fact that opportunities still may continue to exist. True leaders will seize and maximize opportunities while others sit on their hands as opportunities pass them by.

According to a study done by The Center for Creative Leadership, 75 percent of careers are derailed or fall short of their full potential due to lack of emotional competencies, not the lack of educational or professional abilities. This void of true, visionary, and authentic leadership has stifled personal success and crippled organizational growth. The inability of some leaders to adapt to change or elicit trust and loyalty from those around them has rendered them ineffective in challenging times.

When I address groups of top CEOs, they agree when I say we hire people for technical ability and fire people for social inability. This is precisely why this book was written. Rather than focusing on the technical necessities for business and personal success, this book illustrates the essential internal and interpersonal qualities that make the difference between simply creating a product and making an impact, between providing a service and providing an exceptional customer experience, between just living life and leaving a lasting legacy.

By applying Ronald Reagan's proven, effective principles and following the examples of successful leaders, you, too, can positively affect performance, as well as the interpersonal environment and overall culture within your sphere of influence. Whether building on what you have already established or confidently starting anew, all is completely possible.

In my own businesses over the past 20 years the same philosophies that President Reagan embraced have inspired me to try to lead like him—to create a vision, assemble a team, communicate a message, lead by example, take action, handle crisis, and ultimately leave the world a better place—all because of Ronald Reagan and his impact on my life.

My hope is that you will be encouraged to honestly evaluate these areas of your life as well, to improve upon your leadership, too—and in reading this book, you'll be inspired to pursue leadership excellence toward your own goals of personal fulfillment and professional success. You, too, can learn to Lead Like Reagan. The journey to greater impact begins here.

1Creating the VisionSetting Expansive Goals

Our country is a special place, because we Americans have always been sustained, through good times and bad, by a noble vision—a vision not only of what the world around us is today but what we as a free people can make it be tomorrow.

—Ronald Reagan1

When Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president of the United States in January 1981, there was widespread malaise domestically. The nation suffered from high inflation, scarce jobs, and low morale. Yet Ronald Reagan immediately took office and began to talk about a new dawn, morning in America, better days ahead, and the proverbial shining city on a hill.

In reality, the country was no different on Ronald Reagan's inauguration day than it had been the day prior. Yet President Reagan proposed a new, ambitious vision, and so America's perception of its own future was entirely, and immediately, different. The images of reclaimed greatness he envisioned for the country made others believe that restoration was possible, not only for the future, but that change was already taking place. America wanted desperately to believe in itself again and in the promise of its future. Through words initially, then subsequently backed up by policy and action, Ronald Reagan made that vision for America a reality.

He was a man of vision and knew how to articulate that vision in compelling, inspiring ways. Ronald Reagan, known as the “Great Communicator,” was once quoted as saying, “Most often it's not how handsomely or eloquently you say something, but the fact that your words mean something.” He knew that selecting the right words was important, but backing up words with actions was essential. He was successful because he created a vision, articulated the role everyone would play in it, and showed how they would benefit from being part of it.

When the nation faced challenges, Ronald Reagan always refocused on the bigger picture and kept working toward the overall goals and vision. His themes and messages were consistent and clear. Rather than trying to tackle a dozen problems, he focused primarily on two: revitalizing the economy and bringing an end to Communism. He tied those themes into everything he did and everything he talked about, and he kept America focused on those goals, articulating how they fit into his overall vision. As he did, he reminded us of the greatness of which we were all a part, and subsequently, he moved our nation and our world forward, both economically and through the expansion of freedom, realizing both primary goals he had envisioned.

Ronald Reagan motivated the American people to embrace and support his vision for America by inspiring them to share in his desire for renewed pride, patriotism, and prosperity. He connected each one of us to something bigger than ourselves and cultivated a drive and desire to sacrifice as needed and serve and support whenever asked. That created devotion, loyalty, and commitment to an inspired, shared vision.

Ronald Reagan's life and legacy personified vision, both in individual relationships and on the national and world stage. Clarity, consistency, and a contagious optimism filled his words and were validated and reinforced by his actions, both on and off camera.

Painting the Target

The American dream lives—not only in the hearts and minds of our own countrymen but in the hearts and minds of millions of the world's people in both free and oppressed societies who look to us for leadership. As long as that dream lives, as long as we continue to defend it, America has a future, and all mankind has reason to hope.

—Ronald Reagan2

I had the privilege and opportunity of a lifetime to work for one of the greatest leaders of our era: Ronald Reagan. Not only was it a personal honor, but it built a foundation for the rest of my life, which gave me a vision of what real leadership looks like—what it should look like and how it is lived out in both large and small ways.

Even when I was a young person, my life was affected deeply by the expansive and inspiring vision of Ronald Reagan. While I was growing up, my parents watched the evening news every night as well as shows that regularly discussed the important issues facing America. I remember being fascinated by the debates and arguments of two unique political viewpoints.

The more I listened, the more I began to analyze not only the message itself but the messengers as well. Some messengers were able to articulate what they believed more succinctly than others. Some were skilled orators, and others would lose arguments I thought they could easily have won. Then in 1980, listening to these differing messages, I was introduced to a man who was running for president of the United States. He looked professional. He looked presidential. He talked to me—not above me or below me—but directly to me, and I hung on his every word.

His genuine love for God and country was evident. To me, a new hero was born, a lifelong, substantive hero who represented hope and embodied all that is good about America and the future. The sports stars and superheroes of my childhood were being replaced by a political icon and new personal hero: Ronald Reagan.

I was intrigued by Ronald Reagan and felt invited, included, and needed—as if I were a critical part of his vision for restoring America's greatness. Ronald Reagan's vision was not one just for his benefit; it was for America and the American people—all Americans, even me!

He demonstrated that real visionary leadership is inclusive, not exclusive. Visionary leaders look to build coalitions and connectivity, not isolate themselves from others. Even though at this point in my life I had not yet met Ronald Reagan, I already felt connected to him and to the vision he was articulating. I wanted to be part of it. I believed in it and was willing to become an active participant in promoting the ideas and solutions for America that he was proposing.

I have also had the opportunity to learn from some of the top business leaders in the country, and they have shown me firsthand how effective leaders with vision, those who honestly desire to lead a cohesive, enthusiastic team, can be. Although there are a select few who may achieve success through a condescending leadership style in a punitive culture of fear and directives, the most revered and beloved leaders are usually remembered not only for what they accomplished but also for who they were and how they made those around them feel.

Fortunately, for those of us in the business arena, success in creating an inspiring, compelling vision and a positive corporate culture for a company is not necessarily tied to the product or limited by the actual job itself. Employees of Zappos.com, Chick-fil-A, and In-N-Out Burger can't wait to get to work thanks to the positive corporate culture that exists in those companies. Yet the work itself is fulfilling online orders, making chicken sandwiches, and flipping burgers—jobs we wouldn't typically associate with great personal satisfaction. The employees' enthusiasm is the result of a great, compelling vision and inspiring leadership at the corporate level. People want to be part of something bigger than themselves—and these companies, and countless others, have captured that desire and fueled their success upon it.

Although the application and implementation will be different for each and every company, the goal is the same: To paint a target of success for your company, and even your family, and set your sights on that goal without distraction or diversion.

One good allegory about painting a target for your vision is the story of a world-class Olympic archer. He had multiple Olympic and World Championships and was almost without competition or equal. Like any great champion, he desperately wanted to be challenged, needed to be challenged, and yet rarely was.

One day driving through the countryside, he comes over a hill and sees a barn littered with hundreds of arrows dead set in the center of hundreds of targets. Instead of feeling threatened, he is thrilled and thinks to himself, “Have I finally met someone who can teach me something and provide me with a real challenge?”

He pulls the car off the road and up the driveway to the farmhouse. He knocks on the door, and the farmer answers. He asks, “Is this your barn?”

“Yes it is,” the farmer replies.

“Do you shoot?” asks the archer.

“Yes I do. It's a passion of mine,” the farmer replies.

“Then I must have the opportunity to shoot with you,” the archer enthusiastically responds.

The farmer says, “I would love it—I never get any visitors out here.”

They go out to the barn and set up their equipment nearby. The farmer goes first: He pulls back his bow, fires randomly at the barn, then goes and grabs a can of red paint and starts painting a target perfectly around the arrow right where it haphazardly landed!

The true archer watches, deflated in disbelief, knowing that real accomplishment in archery comes only from painting a challenging target first and then carefully taking aim to test your skill. This may be just a story, but unfortunately, many people are just like that farmer and will look at where they started, compare it to where they wound up, and then proclaim that the latter is precisely where they intended to go.