Fathers Day Leadership Tributes

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The following are loving tributes to fathers who exemplified leadership both at home and in their professions. The following is taken from the blog Teamwork and Leadership Bloggings with Mike Rogers.

From Gail Johnson Morris

Mike,

I love this question - a great one for the week of Father's Day, 2009.

W. John R. Johnson is 88 years old this year. An educator who reached the zenith of his profession as Director of Education his finest moments and best memories are of teaching Grade 4 boys in the early 50's.

Dad leads by example, creates developmental opportunities in a balanced and thoughtful way, demonstrates fierce loyalty, consistent professionalism and the highest of ethical standards. He ramped up the performance of his first school, one major project at a time and created an exceptional learning environment. Dad took his duty seriously and shared his challenges with his family over dinner.

We are lucky to have had the benefit of him as a role-model. My father is my coach, mentor and biggest fan. Dad has inspired me my whole life and truly has been 'the wind beneath my wings'. Happy Father's day Dad!

Your fortunate and loving middle daughter,
Gail.

From Yura Clary

Stoic, thoughtful, results-driven, professional, tenacious, caring and above all else - fair. He was a Chairman of the Board, CEO and President whose thirst for knowledge drove his employees to work harder, smarter and better than most of his fellow executives. He easily hired and promoted women during a time when it was unpopular and believed that positions should be earned and filled with the most qualified - man or woman.

My father and I didn't always get along when I was younger, but in retrospect his undying faith in my abilities to be successful and to strive to work hard, be better than what I thought I could be and to excel I believe were the pillars upon which I have built my own career. I have known no other person in my life who is as intelligent and thoughtful as he is. But he was always fair, and he believed in committment regardless of the costs. Once you committed yourself to a team, a project, a business relationship... etc., you honored that committment. It was a reflection of who you were as a person; and to carry yourself with integrity.

When in doubt... I usually ask myself, what would Dad do? Amazingly, he has never steered me wrong.

Thanks for asking!
Yura

From Janice Steward as posted on the blog Teamwork and Leadership Bloggings with Mike Rogers

My father was not well educated and provided for his family with the sweat of his brow. My mother was a stay at home mom because he insisted based on the value he placed on family and duty. We never had alot of money to spare but always had a roof over our heads, food on our table and enought love to solve all of our troubles. My father did not keep secrets from us and we always knew knew the obstacles that lie ahead and as a family unit we faced them together. With all of this being said, my father always brought out the best in others because as a leader he encouraged everyone to participate in decision making, made all of feel a part of what ever decisons were being made. As a result of his leadership, even 30 years after his death we are still a close family unit (quite large now). At my father's funeral I can remember them quoting something he often said, " If your brother gets into a ditch, if you can't lend a hand to pull him out, Don't take that shovel of a tongue in your mouth and cover him up." I have never heard anyone else ever say this so I assume it is something he made up himself.

From Katz Fitzgerald as posted on the blog Teamwork and Leadership Bloggings with Mike Rogers

I knew my dad as a stickler for honesty. As a kid I thought this was just his insistence on knowing the truth about which one of us "started" the fight.
I learned later that it was actually his measure of a person... could they live with their own truths.
At my father's funeral the most common words used were "integrity" and "trust".
He owned his actions, beliefs and words; never squirmed around or spoke half-truths to misdirect and never pandered to the crowd... and so he was counted on, confided in, asked to shoulder huge leadership burdens and even national secrets. I was lucky to be shown such a great role model for integrity.

From Sara Easley as posted on the blog Teamwork and Leadership Bloggings with Mike Rogers

My dad is a small-business owner, so his leadership style is one of constant adaptability. Fortunately his personality preferences lend to this, so it does not stress him out as much as it would stress out someone who craves consistency! He has taught me countless lessons about the business and personal need for adaptability and agility. I admire him greatly for his commitment to his parent company and his customers.

From Richard Norris as posted on the blog Teamwork and Leadership Bloggings with Mike Rogers

Great! My dad was a man of respect and to respect. He lead by example until the day he died. His legacy lives on in others and across the landscape and in me. My responsibility is to pass on his integrity onto my kids and all whom I influence.

I miss you Dad and I love you for eternity. Thankyou.

Be Awesome!
Richard

From a Fellow Blogger

"Most important, he knew how to love, and he did. The late Ann Landers, who could tell us a thing or two about families, often wrote that the greatest gift a father can give to his children is to love their mother completely, deeply, and unconditionally."

"Only a few weeks before my mother died, I visited the two of them in their apartment in Florida. What I witnessed on that visit was like a scene out of an old black-and-white movie starring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson or Donna Reed.
My mother sat at the kitchen table, her days so very numbered, and yet with a smile of calm, divine peace across her face, as my dad, who had once aspired to a career in the opera, sang love song after love song to her. He must have sung for an hour, maybe two, and he sang from his heart. He sang: “Everybody loves my baby, but my baby, she loves only me.” My mother died a happy woman."

For the entire tribute click here.

From Diane Bailey-Boulet

My dad--a coal miner's son who lived through a World War, became a doctor, and a navy captain--lead by treating people from all walks of life with fairness and compassion. He was a gifted storyteller and renaissance man. He lead by example, showing me how to achieve personal and professional success through learning, listening, creating, and hanging in when things are difficult.

From Margie Meacham

My father was a pretty dictatorial leader. It was his way or the highway. Because of the long hours he worked, we rarely saw him. My mother, however, taught me a lot more about leadership. She always let us feel that we had a chance to voice our opinions. She was truly interested in those opinions and always tried to honor them, even when she couldn't make a decision in agreement with our wishes.

My parents had a difficult marriage at times, but they managed to raise six children and inspire us all with a love of education and a respect for hard work. When I think of leadership lessons, I must admit that my mother, however, comes more immediately to mind.

From Judith Gargyi

My father is a decent and courageous man who has always led by example. My earliest memory of him is one cold winter's night in 1956 when he carried me on his back in three feet of snow over the Austro-Hungarian border to freedom. I was three. He risked everything for us to be free...mom, dad, and me.

From JD Biggs

My father led with a sense of certainty. While he shunned formal leadership roles at work and in the community, he was an influencer who others came to and respected. He was a master story teller who conveyed his values and strong sense of "right and wrong" with certainty. My favorite "saying" of his was "one lesson is worth a thousand tellings". He always allowed room for mistakes and rewarded accomplishment.

From Lisa M. St. Germain

As a middle aged adult, I am realizing all the valuable leadership lessons that my dad taught me. He was a person that everyone wanted to be around and held the respect of many. His career took many ups and downs, thru every failure he created a better business model. He learned to capitaize on his strengths and work around his weaknesses. Dad had the ability to influence many thru being trustworthy and truthful. Communication was key to him, no matter if the news was good or bad all information/options should be communicated and discussed. People only want to know they have choices. One of my favorite lessons has become one of my core leadeship guidelines- Give individuals enough rope and they will do one of two things: Climb or hang themselves the choice is up to them. It is your job as a leader to provide the rope and allow them to make the choice.

Thanks for the question- it gave me a chance to reflect on my Dad.

From Mike Rogers - Owner of this web site secondg.net

If you wondered who that photo is of, that’s my father. He looks a little grumpy, but he really isn’t. I will be eternally grateful for him. Here is my tribute to him and why he has been such a great leader and example to me.

I was very young when my mother left my biological father, who was an alcoholic. She was left with no money, two small children and very little hope. She worked hard so that my sister and I would have a place to stay and food to eat. She met the love of her life five or so years later. He loved my sister and me unconditionally, and he became our father as much as we were his children. I always felt that I was his son. I never doubted he loved me, and I believe that was the most important thing I could have as a son.

My dad was a strong leader both in the home, church and in business where he served in a number of senior leadership roles throughout his life. The traits that made him a great leader included his unwavering patience, caring nature, desire to know me and his firmness in regards to decisions. I can remember many times as a child not wanting to disappoint him, though I seemed to find a way to do so on occasion : ) But I don’t remember him ever yelling at me, just patiently teaching me. And though at the time the worse punishment in the whole wide world was to listen to his lectures, I now appreciate the fact that he cared enough to spend time doing his best to teach me.

His wonderful counsel continues to this day, and I still seek it when I have an important decision to make. Thanks Dad for loving Mom and unconditionally loving me. I love you. Happy Father’s Day!

From Marti Colletti

Too cool for words, Mike. You brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful gift he is. I hope you and your father have a very Happy Father's Day

From Nanci Appleman-Vassill

My dad who passed away in August was a great leader in all the roles he interacted with. His stongest attributes (which were reinforced at the funeral and memorial services) were: collaborator wonderful listener and coach. It was amazing to all of us in the family how significantly he touched people's lives outside of us.

From Karen Jacinto\

Mine is traditional: strict, stiff and one that leads by example. But he balances it out by maintaining a big heart. Molded me in a way that my values stay in tact while i grow up to be equally if not more competitive. Happy Father's Day to all..

From Cliff Madison

My father taught me perseverance and to take care of my family. He taught me to be disciplined and simple kindness to others are the keys to life. The one attribute my father passed on to me, more than all the others is the ability to "float with the punches" and not to worry about life.

From Carolyn Quintin

A quiet, silent type who took pride in his work. His motto was "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well" which is the whole quality and sometimes perfectionistic part of work! My mother was the more outgoing, president of boards of directors for non-profit agencies especially those serving women. Combining what I learned from both made me into a leader myself. I'm reading TONY DUNGY's book now called UNCOMMON which is written more for men, but I've always admired how an NFL coach could be a strong leader but uphold high values without screaming and demeaning players. Glad you asked the question. Made me think! Carolyn

From Dan Bell

My father was all about honor, integrity and above all innovation. He was the original McGyver. He taught me to look at things in different ways. He taught me the essential need for hard work. He starting working at the age of 9 and could fix anything. Though lacking much formal education, he was and still is the smartest man I know. He is the leader I try to emulate.

From Matthew Hirst

My father was a servant leader before the term was created. In a countless number of ways, he exhibited the three qualities I attribute most often to remarkable leadership: wisdom, humility, and learning agility. As a father myself, it's a pleasure to try to live up to his example although I know he set the bar way beyond my reach.

From Terrence Seamon

Great question, as Father's Day approaches tomorrow.

My dad was a policeman. A coach. An umpire. A teacher.

He had strong principles. He loved his family. He defended his country in WW II.

Yes, he was somewhat resistant to change. But he had a very big heart, and went out of his way for his friends.

I miss him.

Terry You can view Terry's blog at http://learningvoyager.blogspot.com

From Kin Tue-Fee

My dad had great perseverance and work ethics. His words and handshakes were his bonds. He was a man of few words and a lot of actions and hard work. He basically sacrificed his life for the education of his children. For that I will be forever grateful.

From Saira Samee

Thanks Mike...words are never enough to express the heart that worships my father.

My father has been my role model,ideal and mentor.

He is a once in a billion years man- A man for all seasons who will greatly ameliorate the current global thought leadership through his wisdom and life truly led with an authentic coherence between his inner and outer actions...a great feat to be achieved.

He has led, leads and will always live by example and truth of a whole person who gives more credence to a life of honor than a life of selfhood at the gross/material levels.

A man who saving his country millions at a meeting when his own home was being razed for political reasons...who prayed on the rubble of a home he chose for his wife with devotion.A man who never sought favours and never bent when asked by the top man to sign on a contract not beneficial for the country.He is no one's yes man and always stands for principles not people.

A man who only believes in the truth of mankind's ultimate destiny and peace on earth who will go to any length to spend his life in service of the one who created him.

A father who allowed us to be who we are and never expected a thing in return.

A father who has given us his all and to whom we owe our total allegience.

May my life go to him and his striving in life.

We just celebrated his 75th surpsise birthday with 130 people.

Father Dearest , Happy Father's Day !

From Sheri Bilderback

Thanks for asking this question, Mike! Gives a chance to brag on my Dad and the invaluable lessons he taught me in leadership - and is still teaching me!

My Dad was a successful, award-winning sales manager for years with Combined Insurance Company in the 1960s-1970s. The company, due to its President W. Clement Stone, was a leader in positive thinking and affirmations before it became vogue - it was all about positive mental attitude.

Two of the books that the company gave out to its employees were by Stone - "The Success System that Never Fails" and "Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude" (co-author). Stone also gave out William H. Danforth's book "I Dare You," and the first thing that book does is to dare you to read it cover to cover right now. Clement Stone sold his first insurance policy at age 16 and started his own agency and sales organization by the time he was 20. Like Stone, my Dad started working as a pre-teen. The company also gave out songs to its employees.

Every morning my Dad would sing the song "I feel healthy, happy and terrific," so much so, that I even sing it sometimes myself to this day. My Dad was hiring folks who would work on pure commission. It was a tough job, with leads and literally driving around and going door to door. It required fortitude, perseverance and a strong work ethic.

My Dad interviewed a lot of potential candidates and always asked them two questions. If you met your quota by Wednesday or Thursday, what would you do for the rest of the week? He also asked them, what is your definition of character? The winning candidate was someone who would keep working through the end of the week as hard as he/she did up until meeting their weekly quota and would not hit the golf course because they'd met their weekly goal.

My Dad led by example. It's all about the definition of character. Character defines my Dad. My Dad went to work in maintenance at a school district in the 1980s-90s. One day, an immigrant refugee from a war-torn country in E. Europe started work. On the man’s first day, my Dad told him to "come to work everyday, no matter what." He sure did listen to my Dad and when someone asked the man why he came to work after having serious dental work done that day, the man told the person that my Dad told him "come to work every day." He was as hard working as my father. Dad took him under his wing at work and also helped his family generally get their feet on the ground, as he did several others. To this day, the family invites my Mom and Dad to everything to thank my Dad for his help getting started.

It's all about character and the rest will come. Without character, the rest does not matter. I use these lessons daily in my life.
Sheri

From Sharon Gridley

My father was an officer in the Army, served in Vietnam and to this day, I remain grateful for his return from combat. We traveled the world and were blessed with exposure to other cultures and languages. After retirement, my father's transferrable skills allowed him to enjoy a second career as Hospital Administrator.

Not much for words, Dad led by example and taught us the value of education, dependability, teamwork, frugality, honesty, respect for self and others, self-sufficiency and, at the end of the day, to ask ourselves: "What have we done today to positvely impact our world?"

From Louise Carnachan

During WWII my father was a captain in charge of an airplane maintenance group in England. A leader at an early age, he knew that he liked the personal side of working with the pilots to find out how their planes were working. He gave information to his crew and let them do their jobs without bureaucratic interference. Later in civilian life, he owned a pension plan and profit sharing plan business. He taught me through his choice of work that letting employees share in the profits is the only ethical way of doing business- and benefits both the employer and employee. He told me he always hired smart people because, although they will not stay with you forever, they will do great work while they are with you. He supported his staff, morally and materially, to further their educations and was rewarded by intense loyalty to their Mr. C.

From Stephen Drain

My father was (and still is) a leader who cares deeply about the feelings and views of others. So much so, that some people make the mistake of thinking he is too agreeable. At work he was a consensus leader and still takes that role in his personal life. Empathy and compassion are his hallmarks and as I've got older they have become themes for me too. Healing is more important than being right is what I've learnt from Dad.

From Ravi Rao

I feel like I've had four or five "father figures" over the course of my life, and I learned a different kind of leadership style from each of them. My actual Dad leads through humor and making others around him comfortable to do their jobs. Other father figures have taught me alternative leadership lessons like the value of structure/rigor, the value of silence and listening, the value of humility, and the value of emotional awareness.

From Eleanor Biddulph

My father led by example.

Dad was a German immigrant, a skilled stone mason and bricklayer, and very traditional provider for the family. The lessons he taught us as children were commitment to family, the value of hard work and the importance of sharing goodwill.

However, the last ten years of his life Dad taught us about faith and compassion as he bravely battled cancer while caring for our Alzheimer's-stricken Mom. How to remain focused on serving others while dying with dignity was truly his legacy to all who knew him.