[July 25, 2019] Great leaders don’t suddenly arrive on the world’s stage; they work hard to get there. So it was with H. Ross Perot, a complex man of many talents, but because of his daring, I am highlighting him today as one of those special people we should all consider emulating.
A hero in many aspects, Perot was born in Texas and became involved early in the computer business where he made his fortune. Before his computer business venture, he was a Distinguished Boy Scout and U.S. Naval officer; helping establish the Navy’s honor code. Like many others, we saw him in action in 1970 when he attempted to airlift supplies to American POWs in North Vietnam and then again in 1979 when he helped rescue two of his employees that had been imprisoned in Iran (a good article on the rescue can be found here, see link).
“You don’t have to be the biggest to beat the biggest.” – H. Ross Perot
From an early age, it was clear that Ross Perot was someone special. Some of his leadership traits were:
- Man of action
- Highly intelligent
- Determined and highly motivated
- Exceptionally creative and original
- Courageous
- Creative planner, organizer, and superb at carrying out those plans
- Patriot
Ross Perot was small in his physical stature, but he came with a big personality. His wealth, fame, and a confident prescription for the U.S. nation’s economic ills propelled his 1992 presidential campaign. His desire for a better United States is what drove him but being the third-party candidate doomed his presidential candidacy to failure.
The world is better off with people like him. The U.S. media had mixed reviews, but such negative press by the media of great men and women is common. They often get it wrong; as they did with H. Ross Perot. He passed away earlier this month; he was 89.1 Perot was one of the world’s greatest business leaders.
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Perot had many honors. One among them was the Winston Churchill Award (presented by Prince Charles in1986; third recipient and first businessman to receive the award; given for exhibiting character similar to that of the late British prime minister).
H. Ross Perot was from Texas (and that should be just enough for you to like him … ha ha). If you want to read a relatively short bio on him there is a good website that I will link to at the end of my comment. Perot was, indeed, a great man by any measure. But what struck me as to his personality that he was willing to go anywhere and do anything for his employees. The rescue in Iran of his men was just one example. Caring for your people is a key to folks following you.
http://www.famoustexans.com/rossperot.htm
Thanks Yusaf. I read it. A good biography and there are many more on the Internet. It is worth the effort to read about him and his success. I only wish I knew how he ‘thought.’
Yusaf from Texas. Yes, Ross Perot was a man of many talents and he was, yes, from Texas.
Thank you sir for your comment.
Interesting aspect of being a TEXAN and the deep psychological idea of being a Texan. From the biography you mentioned, Yusaf, “Reportedly, Perot came to loath George Bush because he believed Bush did not do enough to search for POWs in Vietnam. Perot’s hatred for President Reagan’s vice president grew during Bush’s run for president in 1988. Perot, a native Texan, learned that Bush, the son of a senator from Connecticut, was a resident of Texas only because he rented a hotel suite in Houston.”
Thanks Tony.
I enjoyed reading of the recently passed Ross Perot. He was a great gentleman.
Excellent man for today’s profile. I always did like to read about Perot’s exploits.
Good to see you on Gen. Satterfield’s leadership website this morning, Army Captain. I always look forward to your comments and, by the way, thanks for your service.
Good article on a great man. Thank you for giving us another very successful, focused and kind man.
Anita, some people will disagree with you that he was a “kind” man because he was so driven to do well. He was sometimes short tempered and aggressive. I liked his style however and this is what made him great.
Instead of ‘kind’, I think the word ‘good’ might be better. He was a religious, selfless, and caring person but sometimes he would be pushy to get things done. Nothing wrong with that morally.
Good point, Greg. Yes, I do believe Ross Perot was a good man and we would be better off to try and emulate his success, not because of the success per se but because of his goodness.
I agree with your point. Thanks guys.
I see also in your daily favorites that there is an article about Bernie Sanders and the realities of socialism. H Ross Perot hated socialism and did his best to get the word out on its destructive influence.