Civic Leadership - Big 3 & UAW
Last week was an important week for us at United Way. Bill Ford, Jr. (CEO of Ford Motor Company), Thomas Lasorda (CEO of Chrysler), Richard Wagner (CEO of General Motors) and Ron Gettlefinger (President of UAW) all were on my calendar last week. The topic of discussion was the 2006 United Way campaign and the issues facing Southeastern Michigan. Much is being written about those four men as our region goes through its economic shift. There probably aren't four CEO's in the country under greater scrutiny and criticism. I came away from those four meetings with a perspective that isn't always told.
I can't speak to running an automotive company or an international union. But I can speak to the sense of commitment to purpose, community and progress. I have met with hundreds of heads of companies or organizations over the past 20 years and I know when the words are real. I can tell you that those four, each very different, carried an authentic voice of understanding, support and concern for the region.
Each person last week (Ford, Wagner, Lasorda and Gettlefinger) gave the meeting and topic time and focus. Each had questions of how to strengthen support. There was a genuine concern for the time and place that this region finds itself. There was an understanding that there is some very difficult work in front of us and that support and cooperation were going to be requirements. There was a call from each to keep working at finding new ways to work in helping the region make an impact on the issues it cares most about. Each individual found ways to not only to link the organizational support, but there own personal time, networks and resources.
The leaders of the auto industry face complex and painful decisions which often cast the leaders in an uncaring light. My experience with these four individuals over the past two years tells me that there is a deep concern for people, community and a sustainable future. The actions of how each of them work to support progress of the region may not always get told, but one can be sure that they are active and engaged in making our community stronger.
I can't speak to running an automotive company or an international union. But I can speak to the sense of commitment to purpose, community and progress. I have met with hundreds of heads of companies or organizations over the past 20 years and I know when the words are real. I can tell you that those four, each very different, carried an authentic voice of understanding, support and concern for the region.
Each person last week (Ford, Wagner, Lasorda and Gettlefinger) gave the meeting and topic time and focus. Each had questions of how to strengthen support. There was a genuine concern for the time and place that this region finds itself. There was an understanding that there is some very difficult work in front of us and that support and cooperation were going to be requirements. There was a call from each to keep working at finding new ways to work in helping the region make an impact on the issues it cares most about. Each individual found ways to not only to link the organizational support, but there own personal time, networks and resources.
The leaders of the auto industry face complex and painful decisions which often cast the leaders in an uncaring light. My experience with these four individuals over the past two years tells me that there is a deep concern for people, community and a sustainable future. The actions of how each of them work to support progress of the region may not always get told, but one can be sure that they are active and engaged in making our community stronger.
Labels: civic engagement, Window on Community
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