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North Carolinians and their secrets to success
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Published: June 28, 2009
Normally I shy away from books and television programs with titles that involve "Success," not that I have been way too successful in life and need no pointers, but many such books and programs seem to be questionable — to me, at least.
A notable exception is the recently published "Secrets of Success: North Carolina Values-Based Leadership," by the General H. Hugh Shelton Leadership Center at N.C. State University, (Raleigh: Ivy House Publishing Group, 2009).
The premise of the book is that there is such a thing as "North Carolina values," and these values, if followed, may lead to success.
North Carolina was settled, some would say, mostly by a class of yeoman farmers that came here seeking individual liberty, freedom of worship and religion, and land and opportunity. These were people who didn't like to be told what to do and how to do it, people who rejected vain and empty show, a feeling reflected in the state's motto, "Esse Quam Videri."
These people were proud of their humility, and the Tar Heel State has been referred to more than once as a "vale of humility between two mountains of conceit."
"Yes," our ancestors might have said, "we have tar on our heels, and it got there by working among the pine trees."
Thirty-three successful people, each with strong North Carolina connections, were interviewed, and are, in effect, the authors of the book. They give their thoughts on how they became successful in this 65-page "coffee table" volume.
Those interviewed ranged from golf great Arnold Palmer to Billy Graham's son, Franklin, to the late Kay Yow (N.C. State and U.S. Olympic women's basketball coach) to Richard Petty. I believe most of us would term these people as being somewhat successful.
I noted that many times the people said basically the same thing. The words "leading from the front," "being able to communicate" being persistent and having a sense of humor were voiced repeatedly, and references to role models, particularly fathers, were frequent.
Let me give you some examples.
Herman Boone, who was played by Denzel Washington in the movie "Remember the Titans," shared something his father, Frank Boone, used to say.
"He couldn't read or write, but he was a brilliant man, the man who taught me about leadership, about opportunities and optimism. He used to say, 'Children, there's nothing you can do about the break of day. It will come whether you like it or not. If you don't plan to make a difference during that day then you can take yourself back to sleep."
Another example would be Donna Chavis, of Pembroke. Chavis is the executive director of NCGives and a past executive director of Native Americans in Philanthropy. Ms. Chavis quotes her father, who was a sort of jack-of-all-trades: "You know, girl, it's not what you have that counts. It's what you do with what you have."
She continued, "There were two kinds of Indians in Pembroke — brick-house Indians and outhouse Indians. We were outhouse Indians because we didn't have indoor plumbing."
Chavis talked about her father, who although sick with a terminal illness at an early age, nonetheless led her to a career path in grassroots philanthropy.
"It was funny," relates Chavis, "but when Daddy passed away we found an old ledger book of his, and he'd written down everything he'd ever repaired. We laughed and said, 'You know if he'd gotten paid for all this, we wouldn't have been poor."
Erskine Bowles, who was White House Chief of Staff under President Clinton and who is now the president of the 17-branch University of North Carolina, made an important point. "Leaders can't be afraid of failure," he said. "What we have to be is not afraid to try. It isn't always glamorous or glorious."
Bowles quotes his father, too. "My dad used to always talk about how in the old South when you went to chop firewood for your own family that you'd always throw a few logs on the community woodpile. He'd say, 'I want you all to feel that it's always important to add to the community woodpile.' "
Franklin Graham emphasized how a leader has to lead by example. Said Graham, "In the early days, Samaritan's Purse was small, only me and a secretary. So we did everything. As more people came in, we still shared the load. And even today (more than 500 employees), when there is a heavy snow day and the parking lot gets full, we all take turns shoveling snow. I think that's part of being a leader, you set an example."
A further example I liked was from the only local person in the book, Ambassador Jeanette W. Hyde, who is America's ambassador to seven small Eastern Caribbean nations.
Said Hyde, "Growing up in Hamptonville, nestled in the foothills of North Carolina, provided me with healthy and competitive opportunities that encouraged leadership — my family, my church, school, the 4-H Club, and other youth organizations that encouraged service and helping people. I have tried to keep the valves I learned from my progressive-minded family and church as a part of my life. ... My father was in retail business, owning country stores, a farm, and a milling company. He was a great influence, very kind, generous, and always helping others."
Half of the 11-by-11-inch book is composed of black and white photographs by Simon Griffiths of the contributors. Griffiths' carefully posed photos add much to the appeal of the volume.
While I'm not sure these values are intrinsically Tar Heel values, or just common-sense values shared by successful leaders everywhere, I believe there is some good advice to be found here.
By the way, General Hugh R. Shelton, USA (R), an N.C. State graduate and under whose auspices this book was published, was successful. Gen. Shelton was the 14th chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
O.C. Stonestreet is a retired Iredell County history teacher and works in the newsroom at the R&L. He can be reached at ostonestreet@statesville.com.
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