"The test of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there."
~ President James Buchanan
(In office 1857-1861)
That is a reassuring quote for our time but less so considering President Buchanan is consistently ranked as one of the worst US Presidents in history.
As in politics, with business and sports how you are known makes all of the difference in your ability to succeed and how you are remembered.
On February 3rd, 2009 I gave a presentation for Toastmasters discussing how someone as notorious as "Billy the Kid" suffered in part, from a bad reputation. What's yours?
People like Michael Jordan and Bill Gates were beneficiaries of the politics and positions of their industry and their time. During the late 70s and into the mid 80s, America was becoming more athletic and more business friendly.
Michael Jordan's athleticism and skill arrived at the perfect intersection of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) international branding and a shoe company in Nike that wanted to feed America's new fitness craze. Bill Gates founded Microsoft in 1975 but it wasn't until the market forces of a growing American economy allowed him the best opportunity to go public in 1986. On March 14th, 1986 William Henry Gates became an instant millionaire.
Both Jordan and Gates are known to many as the best in their fields -ever. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored more points and earned 6 to Jordan's 5 MVP awards. John D. Rockefeller, adjusted for inflation was the richest man in history. Do the reputations of Jordan and Gates represent the truth?
What matters most is that all four of the men mentioned were known to be great in their time. At this moment in history, how can you be great for yourself and for your country? The answer, is up to you.
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