While visiting my daughter Shannon in Los Angeles this past weekend, I had the opportunity to stop by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. What an outstanding example of a values-based leader! What impressed me most was the personal history of Ronald Reagan, a man who came from a very modest background in Illinois and rose to become the governor of California and was later elected the 40th president of the United States of America.
I enjoyed touring the museum with Shannon and learning more about such an inspiring statesman and fellow citizen, especially given the current American political environment, which to me feels absolutely crazy. It doesn’t seem to matter whether you are a Republican, a Democrat, or an independent; most people are having a hard time believing what’s happened to our political process. I recently read that less than 1/3 of Americans want either Biden or Trump to be the nominee for president in 2024!!! Reflect for a moment on that interesting perspective🤔
In my values-based leadership classes, my students often ask why there seems to be a lack of values-based leaders in politics and government. It seems as if name-calling, self-interest, and personal egos run amok. I believe a true leader should spend less time conducting polls and worrying about getting reelected and more time focused on what are the right things to do to move the country forward in a positive direction.
Reagan’s Presidential Library and Museum also includes a replica of the White House Oval Office from the period of his presidency (1981–1989) as well as the actual Air Force One plane (on loan from the United States Air Force) that was used by seven US presidents including Ronald Reagan.
Never one to waste a fun photo op, Shannon made sure we took the requisite souvenir photos in the Oval Office and also on Air Force One 😉
The library includes pictures and videos that highlighted many of Reagan’s quotes that are very consistent with what it means to be a values-based leader.
Here are a few examples:
The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one who gets the people to do the greatest things.
Here is another President Reagan quote on a plaque on his desk in the Oval Office:
There’s no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.
And here’s a quote at the memorial site of President Reagan and his wife, Nancy:
“I know in my heart that man is good; that what is right will always eventually triumph; and there is purpose and worth to each and every life.”
I keep reading this quote over and over because in our current political environment, it seems to me that we have forgotten this last line, that there is “purpose and worth to each and every life.”
If every human being truly believed this, the world would be a much better place today. 🙏
Here’s wishing you a great start to 2024!
