Lessons from South Africa & Ubuntu!

Last month, I had the privilege to serve as a keynote speaker for Work 2.0 Africa.  My co-worker had long encouraged me to visit Africa and read Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom.  I finished that 500-plus page work on the 24-hour trek from Houston, Texas to Johannesburg then read his Conversations with Myself on the trip home.

Mandela worked tirelessly for freedom and equality of black South Africans.  In 1993, more than 50 years after his political career started with the African National Council’s Youth League and after spending 27 years in jail, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with South President F.W. de Klerk.  The following year, Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically-elected President.

It’s a powerful story, and I enjoyed my visit to Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum.

In September of last year, I attended Bob Nelson’s “Strategies for Recognizing and Motivating Your Workforce” at JSC.  Shortly thereafter, I read his book Ubuntu! An Inspiring Story about an African Tradition of Teamwork & Collaboration.

Click here to learn more about Ubuntu!

Do You Have a Passion for Leadership?

Well, I've ruffled a few feathers at all the institutions I've led. But I think that's part of leadership. - Robert M. Gates

I am a graduate of Texas A&M University—fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1994!  The Aggie Code says that Aggies don’t lie, cheat, or steal…or tolerate those who do.  It’s fitting that we consider the Aggie code following a review of the Ten Commandments over the last ten months.

Fifteen years ago, Robert M. Gates became the 22nd President of Texas A&M.  As President, he made progress toward the university’s goal to become one of the top 10 public universities by 2020.  “Vision 2020” focused on improving student diversity, increasing the size of the faculty, building new academic facilities, and enriching the undergraduate and graduate education experience.

During his tenure, Gates saw increases in minority enrollment, encouraged the addition of 440 new faculty positions, and initiated a $300 million campus construction program.

Gates detailed his experience leading Texas A&M—as well as his experiences leading the CIA and serving as Secretary of Defense—in his 2016 autobiography entitled A Passion for Leadership: Lessons on Change and Reform from Fifty Years of Public Service.  Gates’ track record at Texas A&M was impressive, but I was particularly impressed when after being named Secretary of Defense by President George W. Bush, he remained in the role under President Obama.  Certainly, he has some leadership lessons worth learning!

Click here to read more about Robert Gates and his passion for leadership.