Early in my career I had the extraordinary privilege of being a part of “Mr. Watson’s IBM,” a company he molded to embody the power of THINKing. Watson firmly fixed the THINK slogan as an ever-present reminder and used it to develop the guiding principles that bound the organization together, IBM’s “Basic Beliefs”.
Within the fabric of IBM’s culture, there was both tolerance and encouragement for radical thinking. Celebrating those “wild ducks” who “flew out of formation,” the company fostered an environment calculated to produce innovative ideas. It was this forward-thinking IBM that afforded me the irreplaceable opportunity to gain:
- A critical understanding of the inner workings of the business world
- A deeper appreciation of “respect for the individual”
- Critical thinking problem-solving and decision-making
- The connections between curiosity, critical thinking and innovation
- An understanding of the ROI for excellence fuel for lifelong learning
- The opportunity to develop markets, people and strategies, and
- The responsibility of managing businesses with hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.
Executive Transformations for an Ever-Changing World
Throughout my career at IBM and later as a consultant for executives, I often thought about a crucial question for myself and others: “Are you learning as fast as your world is changing?” This inquiry became increasingly challenging for senior managers as they climbed the career ladder. While some overlooked the importance of continuous learning, others were consumed by their management responsibilities. However, a significant number of executives were frustrated with the ineffectiveness of traditional learning approaches due to time constraints and demanding schedules.
The Birth of The Leadership Forum:
I realized that critical and strategic thinking was necessary to break free from the constraints of traditional problem-solving. This revelation led to a transformative program designed for senior managers and their teams. The program consisted of six half-day sessions spaced throughout the year, held in a location befitting the stature of the participants, such as The Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta.
An Innovative Learning Experience:
Each year, we carefully selected a relevant theme that reflected the near-term future of the business world. Our speakers were chosen in alignment with the theme and for their exceptional competence, expertise, and executive relevance.
Every executive received a copy of the speaker’s most relevant book, along with a comprehensive written synopsis and an audio recording of the session. This holistic approach ensured that the knowledge gained from The Leadership Forum extended well beyond the event itself.
A Journey of Extensive Learning:
My role involved immersing myself in a wealth of business books, articles, and white papers throughout the year. This process allowed me to discover relevant themes for coming years and identify potential speakers who could enrich our program. By the end of this journey, I had absorbed insights from hundreds of the most useful business, management, and leadership books ever written, delved into thousands of pages of articles and white papers, collaborated with over 150 top-notch business thinkers and practitioners, and built meaningful relationships with many of Metro-Atlanta’s respected executives and their leadership teams.
Becoming a Valued Resource for Business Executives:
I am thankful and humbled to have become a trusted resource for business executives seeking to navigate the challenges of today’s Internet-speed world.
Nine Bright North Stars
At just the right time, God sent each one of these nine men into my life. These mentors (advisors, counselors, tutors, guides, coaches, instructors, and friends) took me under their wings and over a period of time, shared simple and profound wisdom, deep and penetrating insights, and perhaps most importantly, how to think.
These were all wise, accomplished and busy men. I’ve heard it said that in the midst of your most important life changes (lessons), you will not understand. It was not until later on that I realized the precious gifts God had given me from the hearts, minds, and experiences of these gentlemen.
Most are gone now. Their lessons, their contributions, their impact—these live on.
There’s another more subtle list of “mentors”, men and women, who have also contributed their part. We usually call them “authors,” and they list in the hundreds.