by Jerry R. Mitchell
May 2005
When I was growing up we had heroes. They were real people, but
somehow larger than life figures whom we could admire and
emulate. A song made popular by the folk singing group Peter, Paul, and
Mary during those years asked, "Where have all the flowers gone?"
As that simple melody repeats itself in my memory, it puts me in mind of
another question: Where have all the heroes gone?
Maybe it was the influence of being a postwar child that made
it possible to believe in heroes at least some of them. Many of
my generation remember the stirring admonition of Sir Winston
Churchill: "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never."
I remember heroes in sports. There were legendary figures
like: Joe Louis, Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle, and Green
Bay Packers Coach Vince Lombardi. We looked up to Presidents like
Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, and John
Fitzgerald Kennedy. Even business and Congressional leaders
commanded respect in days past, people like Thomas Watson of IBM Corp.,
Alfred Sloan of General Motors Corp., and Sen. Everett Dirksen.
Today's young business people the so called Generation X--grew
up in an era when their heroes inevitably were proven to be not only
human, but tragically so. With the deaths of John Kennedy and Martin
Luther King, we began to lose our heroes as often at the hands of the
media as from an assassin's bullet.
Sports heroes fell victim to the excesses of their youth and
riches. Meanwhile, business and government leaders lost their luster
as inspiring figures. In the wake of all this disillusionment
maybe, just maybe things are about to turn around. Perhaps a revival
of the age of heroes can be built on the legacy of such people as the
late Sam Walton, who was a hero to those who worked for him; or even
billionaire Bill Gates.
Walton believed in his Wal-Mart "associates" and he treated
them like partners. He also believed in giving Americans the best value
for their money and treating them like friends. Young people are
incredibly computer literate today and becoming more so. Bill Gates
is young enough to be a real role model for the next generation. So
far he has only been "ex- posed" as brilliant, tough,
visionary, and hugely successful.
I know who my heroes were. Three of the four, my parents and
"Mr.
Thomas Watson" I knew well. The fourth Vince Lombardi I never met.
All are gone now, but I could do worse than to measure up to them.
My dad was a talented inventor and entrepreneur who died when
I was 38. My dad was my real mentor. Possessing only a sixth grade
formal education he helped organize several unions. He taught
himself many different professions. From cook, mattress maker, machinist, upholsterer, teacher and finally metallurgical engineer in an
era when that was very uncommon he built his own education system. He held
management positions such as plant manager and general
manager. But most importantly he was our dad and served as a role model for
me and my brothers.
My mom taught us how to always work for changes in society
with integrity and passion. Her example of fighting the Chicago
school board over boundaries taught us how one person can make a
difference. Mom lived into her nineties still teaching her family how to
respect other people's opinions even if they were very different than
our own.
Lombardi was well known for his work ethic, his insistence on
flawless execution, and his relentless pursuit of excellence (and
winning). So was Thomas Watson. I admire these traits. And I can think of
literally hundreds of instances in my business career when
hard work, superb execution, and high standards led to my success.
What is it about heroes; maybe I should call them role models
that makes them worthy of respect?
First and foremost, role models have integrity, character,
and principles. They invariably have a fire within them based on
deep seeded beliefs and values. There is an almost visible aura
about them that makes people want to believe in them and follow their
lead. And, finally, they have energy and enthusiasm for what they do and believe
in.
We all need role models, a mentor, and some heroes.
They don't have to be famous people, just someone we can aspire to emulate.
It provides a foundation upon which to build the success of our
country, our businesses, our careers, and our lives.
Who are your heroes?
Jerry R. Mitchell
President,
Midwest Entrepreneurs' Forum
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
The Midwest Entrepreneurs' Forum (MEF) will be hosting our Entrepreneurial Networking Event.
Monday, June 13, 2005,
5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
At the Union League Club 2nd Floor Lounge
65 West Jackson in Chicago
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MEF VISIT OUR
WEB SITE OR CONTACT:
Midwest Entrepreneurs' Forum
8 South Michigan Ave, Suite #1000,
Chicago, IL 60603
mef@gss.net
www.gss.net/mef
American University of Paris
Message in a Body
