Deputy Secretary's Speech

Deputy Commerce Secretary David A. Sampson
Commencement Ceremonies Lubbock Christian University
Lubbock, Texas

Thank you, Dr. Jones. Good morning!!!

Let me be the first to congratulate you. This is YOUR day!! And we're all very proud of you.

I'm deeply honored by the invitation to talk with you today. Commencements are very special. They mark a very important event in all of your lives, and in the lives of your families.

This day will be one you'll never forget. I am honored to be here to see you on your way to the next chapter in your lives.

I have a strong passion for mentoring young people. It's been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career, both in the private and public sectors. Opportunities abound for those who embrace rigorous academic preparation but recognize that learning doesn't end with a college degree. More important than any academic credential is character. Whether in business or public service, character counts.

Like you, I had a Christian education, starting at Lipscomb University. I had my first sampling of politics and leadership there when I was elected as president of both the student body and the Tennessee College Republicans. More important, it is also where I met my wife, Karen. And it is where I developed the world view that stays with me to this day.

So I understand why you chose Lubbock Christian University. And it was a good choice. You will leave here with a world view, with strong values, and a mind full of knowledge as you take on the many responsibilities of living productive lives.

Today our nation enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world. We have much to be thankful for. Having strong and courageous citizens is a major reason for our success.

But as we continue growing as a nation, adding to communities and diversifying our culture, America needs more people like you. We need people who think beyond their own immediate needs--people who are willing to give back as well as receive. People with purpose.

I believe that men and women serving in business, schools, government and the family--all play indispensable roles in building a society. Here at Lubbock Christian, you would say that those roles are all ministries

All of you have an opportunity, indeed a responsibility, to be leaders who move your families, your communities and our country, forward.

One of the great blessings in my life is to have been mentored by, and to work closely alongside, great leaders every day. Over the years, I've seen a lot. I've learned a lot. And to be honest with you, I'm still learning.

I do not consider myself a great leader today. But I do aspire to become one.

The key is to know who you are, and to be who you are. Then, surround yourself with people who complement and balance your style.

This is something you will have to work out on your own. But let me help a little by sharing what I've learned about leadership.

Every organization--a family, business, a government agency or the military, all require a leader who sees the entire scene in strategic terms. This is a person who inspires confidence, who energizes the "troops."

At home, at church, in college, in the boardroom, in Austin at the Governor's office, and now, incredibly, at the Commerce Department and the White House, I've had the opportunity to observe great leaders in action.

Each has had a unique leadership style.

President George W. Bush has a very different style than his father.

I've worked for two Secretaries of Commerce. Both were very successful as private sector CEOs: Secretary Evans at Tom Brown Inc., and Secretary Gutierrez at The Kellogg Company. And both are very effective and highly respected Cabinet Secretaries.

Yet, their personalities and leadership styles are completely different.

Still, the great leaders I have known, been mentored by and studied, have similar traits.

A Will to Lead
The first trait is a will to lead. They want to lead. They embrace leadership opportunities.

Leadership is hard work. Great leaders actually enjoy the challenge, the demands, the pressures of leadership. Leaders must desire to persuade others to embrace their vision for change.

It can be a risky business.

On one hand, they ask people to follow. And they don't want to let them down, so there's always the pressure of showing them that they were right and that their people were right to follow.

There's pressure to deliver results, and great leaders are associated with great results. They get results for their people.

But on the other hand, leadership can be a lonely business.

When things are rough, when spirits are down, when everyone is wondering if the roof is going to crash on them, and the pressure makes people second-guess themselves, a leader doesn't have that luxury. Everyone is waiting for the leader to show the way.

Make tough decisions
Second, I have found that great leaders are willing to make the difficult decisions--the tough decisions that no one else wants to make. Great leaders never pass the buck to a future generation. They confront problems, right now, today.

They confront the brutal realities. They meet them head on. They don't ignore them. They address them as best they can. It's a matter of honor.

Today, President Bush is confronting the problems that face our nation and threaten our security and continued prosperity.

He's not about to back away just because the issues are extremely tough: global terrorism and the war in Iraq, corporate scandals, Social Security reform, keeping America competitive in today's global economy, improving public education or reducing our dependence on foreign oil. He won't pass the buck. It's not in his DNA.

Great leaders are also willing to make the tough call even if it is unpopular. Leaders are willing to take the hit, even if assailed from every side.

The desire to please people is simply not part of a leader's psychological makeup. Rather, it is the commitment to do what's right regardless of the personal costs that drives them.

Bigger than self
Third, great leaders believe in something bigger than themselves. People will always follow those serving the greater good.

If people see a leader focused on self-interest alone, they will not follow. At least they won't follow as far as they are being asked. They won't go the extra mile.

People are searching for someone who is willing to look at the bigger picture, to serve a transcendent good.

And so, while it runs against the conventional wisdom, great leaders are the greatest servants. Great leaders lead by serving because they believe in something greater than themselves.

Humility
The last quality of great leaders that I have observed is a sense of humility.

Ironically, those who accomplish the most are the ones who brag the least. In making this point to senior executives at the Department of Commerce, my boss, Secretary Gutierrez, recounted one of his father's favorite Cuban sayings: "Tell me what you brag about, and I'll tell you what you lack."

I believe you can tell a lot about a leader by observing how they treat people who can do absolutely nothing for them, the "invisible people" in an organization.

Last November, I was in Beijing and spoke at a trade and diplomacy conference at the invitation of former President George H. W. Bush, who sponsors the biannual event.

At a reception on the first night, someone approached the former president to have a picture taken. As he turned to face the camera, he bumped into a young waitress, causing the entire tray of drinks she was carrying to crash to the floor.

The room fell silent. And I was amazed--and humbled--to see President Bush on his knees helping the waitress pick up the shattered glass.

Immediately, one of the hosts said, "Oh, Mr. President, please don't worry about this. We'll get someone else to clean it up."

He replied: "I bumped into her. The least I can do is help clean up [the mess]."

Great leaders have a profound sense of humility.

Conclusion
In closing, let me leave you with a final thought that goes to the very nature of leadership, and what separates great leaders from ordinary leaders. And I think this especially applies to Christians.

Great leaders are optimists. Optimists focus on the future--a better, more hopeful future. They have faith. They make decisions. They don't dwell on the past. And that's true whether leading in the family, at church, in business or in government.

On winning the Rose Bowl in 2005, Mack Brown, the Texas Long Horns coach, may have said it best in the locker room after the game.

After congratulating the team on its win over USC, Coach Brown said:

"Finally, this is the most important thing I want you to hear tonight. Remember that we love you. Be proud of what you have accomplished, and enjoy this moment. Let this be a great thing in life, but don't let it be the best thing that ever happens in your life. Go on from here, be great husbands and great dads, and make a difference."

Today, we are proud of you. But don't let this be the best thing that happens in your life. Be someone great and make a difference.

Good luck to you all. And God bless.