By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush recently made a special stop in the Midwest, not for political purposes, but to share his secrets to successful leadership.

Invited to the state of Indiana by the Indiana FFA Foundation, Bush was the keynote speaker at the Foundation’s first annual Indiana Leadership Dinner on May 15.

However, the first item of business for Bush was to offer complimentary comments to the state’s Gov. Mitch Daniel, calling him a “good guy” and “one of the funniest governors in the Union,” causing an uproar of laughter across the room.

Then Gov. Bush opened his discussion on the importance of leadership by describing the “best example of what leadership is about – Tiger Woods.”

“Tiger Woods was at the peak of his game and decided he needed to retool his swing,” said Bush. “Everyone was critical.” According to Bush, Woods “realized that he needed to manage a change” in his career and to continue to challenge himself.

“That is the key to success in leadership,” Bush said, adding that business, industry, private and government employees should continue to challenge themselves everyday.

Bush also complimented the “outstanding leadership of Tony Dungy,” head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“He is one of the best coaches in the NFL and a close friend of mine,” said Bush, recalling Dungy’s leadership and transparency in the Colts’ recent Super Bowl win.

Bush explained that transparency is another key to success in public or private leadership.

“Lay out what you’re going to do and do it,” he stated. “It all comes back to the promise you make, follow through is essential.”
Bush also described the importance of creating a B-HAG, or a “big, hairy, audicous goal.”

“Create a goal that seems impossible, but one that you believe can succeed,” he explained. “Second, create a type of bait – you gotta measure things that you aspire to achieve.

Bush explained a personal example of a B-HAG that he learned from his mother “to always ask the why not question.”

“She likes it when I question things, and I believe it’s really important in leadership,” he said. “If we weren’t doing it this way, how do we do it.”

An example of a B-HAG for the evening was the evidence of no Florida state flag on the capitol when Bush first took office in 1998.

“There was no state flag on the capitol, I couldn’t believe it,” laughed Bush. “They told me there was no room for the state flag and I said why not.”

Describing numerous state employees who scurried and stressed for a solution, Bush said the original proposal was to spend $275,000 to build a new pole atop the capitol.
“I told them that simply wouldn’t work and eventually they figured it out - smaller flags,” he said. “It was an immediate end to everyone’s frustrations.”

During the end of the keynote, Bush answered audience questions, including one about his mother, Barbara.

Lisa Chaudion, who is the executive director of the Indiana Young Farmers Assoc. asked Bush to entertain her fondness for his mother by sharing a funny story about her.

“My mother has been stereotyped as such a nice and funny lady,” joked Bush. “You call her the Silver Fox and the Bush kids call her the Enforcer, she was tough on us.”

Also throughout the evening at the Indiana Rooftop Ballroom in Indianapolis, Ind., FFA supporters, officers and Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman shared the experiences and impact FFA has had in their lives.

“What has impressed me the most is the attitude of FFA members,” said Skillman. “This is our opportunity to pay tribute to the FFA leaders. Your mentorship has truly made a difference and Indiana is rejuvenated because of it.”