Thursday Keynote Luncheon: Jerome Bettis and Laila Ali on Leadership & Quality
The defining qualities of leadership include authenticity and integrity. So said Jerome Bettis, NFL Hall of Fame and Laila Ali, TV host and author. Both shared the stage Thursday at the Keynote Luncheon, which was moderated by Terrance Williams, executive vice president chief marketing officer, Nationwide."Leadership can’t be manufactured. It must be genuine," said Bettis. Ali credited her father, Muhammad Ali, for teaching her about quality leadership. "A leader must have integrity in everything you do." Ali and Bettis answered a range of questions that touched on a defining moment of leadership, their mentors and the advice they would give their 18-year-old selves. Ali, who is appears on the upcoming edition of "Celebrity Apprentice," said her most recent defining leadership moment occurred on the show when she stepped up in a strong way to keep her teammates from stepping on each other’s feet. Bettis recalled that his defining leadership moment happened when he was 17 and playing in a high school All-American game. His team was losing, but back in the locker room his teammates were talking about everything except the game. Outraged, Bettis asked his coach to leave and addressed his teammates. "From that moment on I had the fire in me to say something." On mentors, Bettis said he looks up to Colin Powell, Ken Chenault and President Obama for the way they carry themselves. Ali said her mentors include her dad for all of his accomplishments and "he stood up for what he believed in." |
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