By Dr. Ben DeSpain
“The first responsibility of the leader is to define reality,” wrote Max DuPree in his book, Leadership is an Art. “The last is to say ‘Thank you.’ In between, the leader is the servant,” he concluded.
DuPree, now past 90 years of age, is the former CEO of the Herman Miller Company, a manufacturer of upscale office furniture. I begin this bi-monthly series of thoughts about leadership by acknowledging the importance of his thoughts on my own thinking. DuPree is a giant in both theory and practice of “servant leadership,” and has been kind enough to mentor and encourage me as I moved from professor to president.
Three days after being chosen president at Life University, I found myself before hundreds of students, faculty and staff in what could be described kindly as an impossible situation. I held in my hand a just-received letter from the Council of Chiropractic Examiners (CCE) with the signature of Dr. Joseph Brimhall, chairman, Commission on Accreditation, stating that “LUCC is not eligible to apply for CCE accreditation at this time”. The effect was, LUCC was facing a minimum two-year wait to become eligible to apply for accreditation.
As I continued my brief remarks to those in attendance, I noted a significant number were fighting back tears while others wept openly. Later, several in attendance would relate that they were simply overcome that I had chosen to begin this new era for Life University with a simple but profound act of reading such a terse message to those in attendance. In my mind there had never been any question as to what to do with the letter or how to handle the news. It is a part—no, it is the sum—of who I am and what I think about the role and responsibility of the leader. To define reality is truly step one.
It has now been almost a year since that day and I have often reminded our Life family of the role I feel rests upon me by the office, the role that is entrusted to me. Frequently, we take time to “define reality” as we move into this “new season” as Dr. John Downes, acting dean of the College of Chiropractic, has labeled it. This “new season” at Life University is about what is best for the institution; its students, faculty, staff and alumni. It is about making and keeping promises. It is also about providing the best quality program possible. The emphasis is not on size but rather on being the best. Size that lasts is determined by quality. Just as happiness is not a worthwhile goal but rather the by-product of a fulfilled life, the size of Life University is a by-product of being a quality program.