Leadership Lessons from an American Hero

Last week, I had the honor of joining my colleagues at the ‘Forty under 40’ Luncheon at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers, Arkansas. What is ‘Forty under 40’? According to the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal, the ‘Forty Under 40’ class is “forty men and women who’ve made their mark on Northwest Arkansas; who with every daily ethical decision and every small personal interaction, persistently move themselves, their companies and Northwest Arkansas toward greatness.”  

This luncheon created a lot of hype around the office for two reasons:

1) Ryan Hale, Director of Business Development at the Center, was a recipient of the 2010 ‘Forty Under 40’.

2) Roger Staubach was the keynote. 

Who is Roger Staubach? That is the same question I asked.

Dumb question? That is the exact response I received.

Someone put it into perspective for me: it would be like in 20 years someone asking me who Brett Favre is! Dumb question, I know. I guess I will blame it on my age, or my lack of football knowledge. I didn’t even watch NFL football (unless it was the Super Bowl) until 2 years ago, and I have never played organized football in my life. Makes me sound like an American nightmare.

Staubach on the other hand is a true America hero. After my embarrassing question, I figured I better do my research before I shake hands with the infamous Staubach, especially since I was to do so in front the Soderquist Center’s Founding Executive, Don Soderquist, and CEO, Chuck Hyde.  Chuck probably knows more about Staubach than Staubach himself, and he sure talked about this moment for days. Here is Chuck Hyde below in the 1980’s supporting Staubach in their Dallas Cowboys attire.

 

(Chuck Hyde [right] and his brother)

Personally, I believe Staubach’s heroism comes from more than his Heisman Trophy at the Naval Academy in 1963, or his two Super Bowl victories in 1972 and 1978, or even his inauguration into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. What I believe gives Staubach his heroism is that after he graduated from the Academy, he volunteered to go to Vietnam before returning to the U.S. and joining the NFL. And, in 2006, Staubach received the Patriot’s Award which is the highest award given by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to individuals who are dedicated to freedom and patriotism. Like I said, this man is truly an American Hero.

While most people were enthralled to hear Roger Staubach speak about his football career, Don Soderquist asked Staubach to speak about his leadership influence on his teammates, family, community, and nation. Staubach was able to share with the ‘Forty under 40’ class, and the others in attendance, his ideas and keys to success in leadership. This man has truly impacted more people in 68 years of life than most people could do in three lifetimes. Roger Staubach is an example that we can all follow. For as Don Soderquist said, “Roger Staubach is the man I hope that my kids model their life after.” I would echo Don’s sentiments that we could all learn from the values, focus and leadership of Roger Staubach.

(Left to right: Chuck Hyde, Roger Staubach, and Don Soderquist)

By Brock Erdman, 1st year Soderquist Fellow

Comments

[Bryson Moore]

Nice post Brock! Keep it up.

[Chuck Hyde]

For lots of reasons, meeting Roger was a life highlight for me. For most of that day, I was 7 years old again and the Cowboys were beating the Broncos in the Super Bowl.

Roger was incredibly gracious that day. He signed every football, napkin, and card put in front of him. Posed for every iPhone pic. We put him through the ringer of multiple meetings, keynote address, and video interview (coming soon). He didn't even flinch. Sure, he's probably used to it at this point but I'm confident he handled himself in a manner way to 1 side of the curve.

Plenty of times, our heroes disappoint. And really, perhaps our expectations are overly-inflated, well past what's reasonable. But Roger is a true rodel - the real deal in every way. And like, Don, someone I'm going to talk to my boys about as someone they can look up to in how to carry themselves.

[William Wilkie]

Since we were not in attendance, please inform us about his message.

WHY?
HOW?
WHAT?