Award Presentation
The Leader of the Future Celebration (2006)
- Thoughts for the Evening
- Award Presentation
- Reflections from the Celebration
Leader of the Future Award Dinner
October 24, 2006 -- 6:00 PM TO 9:00 PM
Mutual of America Building, 320 Park Avenue, 35th Floor
By Frances Hesselbein
Alan Mulally has never had a job. He always has been called to serve. His brilliant record is long and well documented -- the record of a great leader with a passion for his calling. Always committed to the mission -- the purpose of the enterprise. Always living the values, always the visionary -- seeing the big picture of creating vehicles as a way to bring people together, in our country, in the world, connecting people to people, creating the better community, the better world. His transformation of Boeing Commercial Airplanes is legendary. Business school students study his exemplary case, his enormous success, created, sustained against fierce competition.
All his life Alan Mulally has kept before him a vision of the healthy community that cares about all of its people, expressing this in his work, believing that we are here "to love and be loved."
Last December when Business Week named Alan Mulally one of the ten best business leaders in our country -- Alan was right up there next to Steve Jobs who was listed first, much to the delight of his 16 year old son, who was tremendously proud of his father, but as he said to him, "I'm glad you were second because I love IPod."
Tonight in the darkness of our times, when there is a hunger for ethical, principled, effective leadership in all three sectors, here we have Alan Mulally -- "The Leader of the Future: Ethics in Action," in person.
In September, Alan was called once again, to a position exactly right for him, right for the company, right for his times, right for the country. This is his moment.
Called to transform an American icon, the fifth largest company in the United States, to once again provide safe transportation for American families, restore an industry to greatness, and for the American families, restore an industry to greatness, and for the American people and our friends abroad, "Creating vehicles to bring all of us together."
The new President and CEO of Ford Motor Company, in the months ahead with provide us with an inspiring, live example of a Leader who moves beyond the old walls, gives spirited leadership to a great, historic corporation and always his focus -- his people, the customers, the company, the country, the global community.
This is the big picture of one of my great heroes -- a hero to many in this room.
If Peter Drucker were here tonight, he would say, "Know Thy Times." Alan does. Then Peter would add, "The leader of the future asks, the leader of the past tells. Ask, don't tell."
Alan asks.
If Jim Collins were here, he would remind us that the Level 5 Leader "builds enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will." Personal humility coupled with determination, fierce resolve for the work defines Alan Mulally.
By the way, when I called Alan several months ago to ask if we could honor him tonight, his response was, "Oh, Frances, you don't mean me." Level 5 all the way.
We celebrate your brilliant past, we cheer your tough and demeaning, highly visible present, and we look to that great day, when in your own way, you will redefine the leader of the future for leaders across all three sectors.
Alan, many are here tonight who have been part of your journey in the past. All of us here tonight want you to know we are fellow travelers on your journey into the future. Our gratitude, our appreciation of all you've done, all you will do to light up our lives - the lives of millions, will always be with you.
We love you Alan and celebrate the leader you are, the leader you will be. Thank you for reminding us that we are here "to love and be loved."
Ladies and gentlemen, this evening join me in honoring Alan Mulally our first recipient of our annual "The Leader of the Future." Alan, you shine a light and we are grateful.
