Leadership and the pursuit of excellence.

• Author: Long, Gerald H.
• Position: Reprint from Directors & Boards, Summer 1988 - Putting In Place the Right Board for the 21st Century

As mentioned in our introductory note to D. Wayne Calloway's classic article (see page 104), we have always had a soft spot for the writings of a leader reflecting on leadership. If the author can get to the guts of what both the mythic as well as the everyman qualities of leadership are all about-- well, our pages have always been open to that. Gerald Long did just this with his inspiring observations. He held senior management positions with R.J. Reynolds for over 25 years, and we published this article shortly after he retired as chairman and CEO of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco USA. These days he is president of a large garden center operation in Winston-Salem, N.C., and is active in community affairs.

ANALYZING LEADERSHIP, as one write said, is a lot like studying the Abominable Snowman: You see the footprints, but never the thing itself. Leadership is like electricity. You can't see it, but you certainly can't miss its effect. And yet, this elusive, intangible thing we call leadership might very well be the most essential ingredient in personal and business success.

Louis XIV, pursuing his dream of becoming a global leader, neglected his people and started a revolution. But a wealthy young Frenchman named Count St. Simon heeded their cries for food and justice by devoting his time and fortune to his countrymen. The count told his servant to wake him each morning by grabbing his shoulder and shouting: "Get up, monsieur, you have great things to do today!"

Through the years, it has been my privilege to work with many outstanding people. I've found them in executive suites, and sweeping factory floors. They've taught me many lessons that have served me well, both as a person and as a businessman. Each of these people was unique. Each had his or her own quirks, methods, goals, and ideas. But a common trait each of them shared was that early on in their lives and careers, they established a clear set of principles and objectives by which they conducted themselves and treated others.

How to go about your pursuit of excellence?

Start Now: A landowner handed a sapling to his gardener, saying, "Plant this tomorrow." The gardener replied, "What's the hurry? This type of tree takes 50 years to mature." His employer responded, "If it will take 50 years for that tree to mature, plant it this afternoon." The wise Ben Franklin said, "One today is worth two tomorrows. What I am to be, I am now becoming."

Don't Be Timid: An old Moorish proverb...