In Honor of Mother’s Day: Lessons of Leadership

President's Blog | Friday, May 11, 2018

I lead a lucky life, but one of the luckiest draws ever is being my mother’s son. I’m an only child, but my mom has always been the mother to many. I’ve never minded sharing. She has the greatest capacity for love of anyone I know. She is a great example of how love is a force-multiplier. The more you give, the more that is created.

Mom never went to college. It wasn’t something girls from Tollesboro, Kentucky did. She milked cows before school, got all A’s, and got a job as a receptionist when she was 17. We moved to Cincinnati when I was 5 because Mom said I’d never go to school in Kentucky. There was never a question about whether or not I’d go to college.

I’ve studied servant leadership my whole career, but my mom has written the book. She is by far the best leader I’ve ever known. By the time she retired to take care of my father, she was the highest ranking woman in the company. A statement about both her leadership and the times. Recently my family and I watched the video from my mother’s retirement party in 1999. Her remarks are powerful leadership lessons. I’m proud to share it here.

Even now my mother serves as a role model. Principled, patient, persistent. Always leading by example. I learned early on that the smartest question I could ask, regardless of the decision, is “what do you think, Mom?” It still is.

I’ve been around strong women my whole life – a great gift. I’ve worked with and for many. I married one, and together we’ve raised one. And two young men who have great respect for women.

To all the amazing mothers in my life, Happy Mother’s Day. I love you, Mom.

I’ve studied servant leadership my whole career, but my mom has written the book. She is by far the best leader I’ve ever known.

Go to 2018 Archive Go to the President's Blog