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CONFERENCE FEATURE
2015 PAUL A. ELSNER
INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE
IN LEADERSHIP
BRUCE A. BARKER
LIFETIME WORK
OF LEADERSHIP
AWARD RECIPIENT
LEADERSHIP JOURNEYBruce A. Barker
The concept of leadership has been researched, examined, dissected, written about, and discussed to the “nth” degree.
I’m not sure how much I can add to the topic, but my friends at The Chair Academy have asked for my thoughts on
leadership and the journey I took that led to the Paul A. Elsner Excellence in Leadership Award. So to honor that request,
and in thanks for receiving this award, I would like to offer some keys to success that became evident to me along the way.
My frst memorable experience in a leadership role occurred a few years after graduating from law school. I was retained
to represent a number of local school boards, city and county governments, as well as a few corporate executives and their
boards. My legal practice specialized in employment and labor law, so I was often leading high-level discussions trying to
make sound decisions that could signifcantly impact the organization’s employees and their bottom line.
KEY #1 – PREPARE KEY #2 – LOOK, LISTEN, LEARN
I was usually the youngest and least experienced person in the Tose early leadership opportunities were valuable for another
room. I remember reverting back to using glasses instead of reason. Tey provided me with wonderful opportunities to work
my contacts and I always wore a suit; in fact, I did everything directly with community leaders, successful business executives,
possible to try to look older and, therefore, presumably, wiser. as well as some remarkable teachers and administrators. Most
Over time I came to realize that my age and looks had little to do of the boards had individuals from diferent professions. I was
with my credibility and my ability to lead those discussions. My able to work with bankers and engineers, retail shop owners
credibility and my leadership depended upon my preparation and CPAs, attorneys, managers, and staf employees. Each
and knowledge. Sir Francis Bacon said, “Knowledge is power,” represented a diferent viewpoint. Each brought diferent
and I found if I was prepared, knew the law inside and out, skills and knowledge to our discussions. Many were extremely
understood fnancial ramifcations, and the impact on employees talented, and it was quite obvious to me that I could probably
… if I could demonstrate that I had considered and prepared learn a lot more from them than they would learn from me.
for every possible outcome…then those corporate leaders would I was surrounded by great, real-life teachers. All I had to do
follow my lead. I might not have been the smartest person in was look and listen, ask a few questions, but most importantly,
the room, but I could be the best prepared. My knowledge of the observe. Why did they do that? How did they do that? When
subject matter gave me the power to lead. do they do certain things? I’ve learned a lot from books and I’ve
18 LEADERSHIP Vol. 21.1 Spring/Summer 2015
Client: The Chair Academy Job: CHAIRAcademy_Journal_20.4 spring/summer 2015 Final size: 8.5” x 11” Colors: CMYK Bleeds: Yes
Created by: Goldfsh Creative - Laura Dvir • 602.349.2220 • goldfshcreates@q.com
2015 PAUL A. ELSNER
INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE
IN LEADERSHIP
BRUCE A. BARKER
LIFETIME WORK
OF LEADERSHIP
AWARD RECIPIENT
LEADERSHIP JOURNEYBruce A. Barker
The concept of leadership has been researched, examined, dissected, written about, and discussed to the “nth” degree.
I’m not sure how much I can add to the topic, but my friends at The Chair Academy have asked for my thoughts on
leadership and the journey I took that led to the Paul A. Elsner Excellence in Leadership Award. So to honor that request,
and in thanks for receiving this award, I would like to offer some keys to success that became evident to me along the way.
My frst memorable experience in a leadership role occurred a few years after graduating from law school. I was retained
to represent a number of local school boards, city and county governments, as well as a few corporate executives and their
boards. My legal practice specialized in employment and labor law, so I was often leading high-level discussions trying to
make sound decisions that could signifcantly impact the organization’s employees and their bottom line.
KEY #1 – PREPARE KEY #2 – LOOK, LISTEN, LEARN
I was usually the youngest and least experienced person in the Tose early leadership opportunities were valuable for another
room. I remember reverting back to using glasses instead of reason. Tey provided me with wonderful opportunities to work
my contacts and I always wore a suit; in fact, I did everything directly with community leaders, successful business executives,
possible to try to look older and, therefore, presumably, wiser. as well as some remarkable teachers and administrators. Most
Over time I came to realize that my age and looks had little to do of the boards had individuals from diferent professions. I was
with my credibility and my ability to lead those discussions. My able to work with bankers and engineers, retail shop owners
credibility and my leadership depended upon my preparation and CPAs, attorneys, managers, and staf employees. Each
and knowledge. Sir Francis Bacon said, “Knowledge is power,” represented a diferent viewpoint. Each brought diferent
and I found if I was prepared, knew the law inside and out, skills and knowledge to our discussions. Many were extremely
understood fnancial ramifcations, and the impact on employees talented, and it was quite obvious to me that I could probably
… if I could demonstrate that I had considered and prepared learn a lot more from them than they would learn from me.
for every possible outcome…then those corporate leaders would I was surrounded by great, real-life teachers. All I had to do
follow my lead. I might not have been the smartest person in was look and listen, ask a few questions, but most importantly,
the room, but I could be the best prepared. My knowledge of the observe. Why did they do that? How did they do that? When
subject matter gave me the power to lead. do they do certain things? I’ve learned a lot from books and I’ve
18 LEADERSHIP Vol. 21.1 Spring/Summer 2015
Client: The Chair Academy Job: CHAIRAcademy_Journal_20.4 spring/summer 2015 Final size: 8.5” x 11” Colors: CMYK Bleeds: Yes
Created by: Goldfsh Creative - Laura Dvir • 602.349.2220 • goldfshcreates@q.com
