Bob Graham
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Bob Graham
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Leadership:
Leadership:
Over the last 38 years, Senator Graham has not only learned the principles of leadership in what is considered one of the most competitive environments, American politics, but he has also mastered these principles to the point of being able to teach them to management teams. The Senator has learned over the years that the fundamental differentiation between management and leadership is the former takes what is and attempts to make it as efficient and productive as possible while a leader challenges the status quo. To challenge, Senator Graham shows management teams how to possess:
- A sense of place - to "know the territory." The two initiatives which most contribute to this sense of place are a study of the history - a leader cannot lead for the future unless he has an understanding of how he got to the present - and personal experience.
- Anticipation of what is coming over the horizon: it is not sufficient to change - to move from A to B. To stay ahead of the competition requires constant transformation; a pace and depth of change that will keep the true leader with a winning edge. The sooner a leader understands what will be required to win in the new world in which he will be living, the sooner he will be able to make the transformations necessary to do so.
- Non-arrogant self confidence: a true leader is not a weather vane - he brings a set of personal values and experiences to the position of leadership. However, a leader is open to new information which will challenge those previously held beliefs and cause him to modify them or be strenthened in the validity of previous convictions.
- Presence to be able to persuade others to follow the lead: the best form of leadership is by example. If you want others to follow, demonstrate by your actions your personal commitment.
Every society, organization and community depends on its leaders for growth and survival. These characteristics of leadership are learned not inherited. Everyone can be a leader if you are willing to make the sacrifice to acquire the qualities necessary to challenge the status quo and shape a new future.
Healthcare:
Healthcare:
Healthcare has been a primary focus of Graham's public career. In the Florida State Senate, he was chairman of the Healthcare Committee, where he established the state's landmark community care for the elderly program. As Governor he initiated major healthcare reforms. In the United States Senate, he was the primary Finance Committee Democrat on national healthcare policy.
Work days
Work days
One of the hallmarks of Senator Graham’s public service career was the long term commitment he undertook that became known as “Work Days”. From marine scientist to garbage collector, college professor to nursing home orderly, work days (an astounding 408 different jobs over 30 years) and the people with whom he worked, the lessons learned from them and their friendship through the years have been an important and defining part of his public service. No American public official has ever done this; no one has had such a close connection with the people he served. Work days also enhanced his understanding and leadership capabilities, and allows him the opportunity to present a combination of motivational and humorous speeches primarily told through stories of his experiences on the job. During the 1978 gubernatorial campaign he wrote a book “Work Days – Finding Florida on the Job.”
Environment:
Environment:
Having spent eighteen years on the Senate environment and public works committee and as Governor in 1983, he initiated a series of programs to Save Our Coasts; Rivers; the endangered manatee and his signature the Save the Everglades program. This initiative became the largest environmental restoration undertaken in American history. In June of 2005, he received the National Park Trust Public Service Award.