“Why do they bury lawyers 12ft under instead of 6ft… because deep down, everyone has good in them.” Steve Forbes, an American publishing executive and politician, came to Reid Chapel to give a speech on leadership. The event was held on Oct. 24 by the Howard College of Arts and Sciences and the Birmingham Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society.
The former presidential candidate was introduced by Jenny McCain of the Calvin Coolidge Commission; the Mayor of Mountain Brook, Stewart Welch III, attended the event to hear from the former presidential nominee.
Forbes ran for president as a Republican candidate in 1996 and 2000. He is now a chairman and editor-in-chief for Forbes Media.
With his latest project, What’s Ahead, Forbes came to share his wisdom and political view. His speech consisted of political leadership and artificial intelligence; his primary leadership points focused on communication, individual quality and effective leadership.
To demonstrate his points, Forbes referenced decisions made by former President Calvin Coolidge. He used Coolidge’s background and upbringing to explain that anyone can be a leader.
“He grew up poor in Vermont…he saw how taxes really hurt people,” Forbes said.
He also discussed how Coolidge was able to use his early life experience to become the only president who left office with a lower federal spending budget than he started with.
To demonstrate how leadership is shown through actions, Forbes detailed the events of the Boston police strike in 1919. Forbes used the example of Coolidge ending the police strike as a leader having the ability to stand up for what is right, instead of falling under pressure.
Another point Forbes made was about communication and how it is crucial for a leader to be involved in and listen to those around him. According to Forbes, Coolidge was engaged in conversations with his citizens in order to best serve them through his presidency.
“He actually went to voters and listened to voters. It wasn’t a one-way conversation,” Forbes said.
Forbes maintained that for someone to achieve great leadership, they should try to make decisions like Coolidge.
Staff Writer
