Stennis Lecture Series
MidSouth Community College Fellowship Program
Mississippi State University - July 25, 2001

By: Dr. Clyde Muse

As I began to prepare for this lecture, I was reminded of the fact that my good friend John C. Stennis' 100th birthday celebration, had he lived, would be August 3, 2001. A great celebration is planned for this day on board the USS JOHN C. STENNIS aircraft carrier in Seattle. I plan to be a part of this celebration.

I don't think you can separate leadership from the fact that if a person is going to be a good leader, he/she must first be a good person. Stennis was a great man and a good man. Goodness makes greatness truly valuable. We all have the opportunity for doing good.

The following is taken from the web page (http://www.stennis.gov/) of the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service, a federal, legislative agency created by Congress in 1988 to promote and strengthen public service leader leadership in America. The Stennis Center is located in Starkville, Mississippi.

"John Stennis offered himself for public office 13 timed during his 60-year political career, and never lost.

He took his final breath on April 23, 1995, and slipped quietly away from the world he had impacted greatly. He accumulated immense power and influence during his 93-year lifetime, and used it to benefit those with whom he always said the power ultimately resided: the people. He never lost perspective through a political career that spanned six decades and took him to the highest pinnacles of power in the legislative branch of the United States government. His leadership and wise counsel are sorely missed, but we continue to have the one thing we need most: his example.

To virtually everyone who knew him personally, John Stennis was a role model. Not only to his colleagues in the Senate, who call him a "Senator's Senator," but to all who admired the way he lived his life. For those who labor in fields of public service, his example is especially meaningful and applicable. John Stennis demonstrated the qualities and characteristics Americans desperately want, and deserve, in their public officials.

Integrity, courage, commitment to duty, and hard work are among the principles that mark the life and career of John Stennis. At the root was his unwavering faith in God and love for people that drove him to overcome obstacles and persevere through physical hardships that would have overwhelmed most.

His achievements are legend, and we need to illuminate his example."

Born in Kemper County out from DeKalb is an example of how a person can have very humble beginnings and become one of the most influential people in the world. If Senator Stennis was living today, "What would he have to say to us as well as the nation?" I think he would say, "Remember where we came from, who we are, and what we are."

I am concerned that is a recent Gallup poll, 1 out of every 4 persons polled did not know what the 4th of July was all about. They were not aware of the sacrifices paid for freedom, the loss of loved ones, the financial sacrifices, and all things involved in maintaining a great nation and our freedom.

We all have the opportunity for doing good, so let's look at some of the characteristics of a good leader and, as we all know, we can also have bad leaders. As I go through these characteristics, I am reminded that Senator Stennis possessed all of these characteristics and more.

1. Those among us who desire to be leaders must first become servants-We cannot really be a leader without showing compassion and caring for others. A leader must -

· Be sensitive to the needs of others.
· Not be afraid that compassion will be seen as a sign of weakness. It will be seen by the wise as a sign of strength.
· Think of others.
· Watch for hurt, pain, fear, all forms of distress in those with whom you come in contact.
· Be willing to listen. Many need a listener.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life that one cannot sincerely try to help another without helping himself."

2. Kindness-Kindness is an outgrowth of compassion. It is a deep, ingrained sensitivity to the needs and frailties of others. A sensitivity that recognizes that all people are God's creatures. A kind person recognizes everyone's humanity. He or she is sympathetic, considerate, caring, affectionate, loving, helpful, solicitous, gentle, forbearing, patient and lenient. Kindness is wonderful because while it doesn't cost the giver anything, its effects can be priceless. It makes every beneficiary feel richer about themselves. It is the pat on the back, the words of encouragement, the willingness to listen, the sharing of laughter, the unexpected smile, passing along a pearl of wisdom, a gentle touch. Kindness reminds us of that oft-quoted admonition from Scripture: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."

3. A leader can accurately assess the focus and determine appropriate behavior at any given time-Most people are so caught up in their own troubles they rarely have time to be aware of others.

4. Truthful and Trustworthy-(Example - Senator Stennis - Plowing a straight furrow right down to the end of the row.) All men are created equal. Every individual is important. Stennis served over four decades (1947-1989) in the Senate and advised eight presidents from Truman to Reagan. Only two senators in American history served longer than Stennis, and none with more integrity and personal judgment. Stennis wrote the first code of ethics for the Senate and became the first chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics. At different times, he chaired two of the most powerful committees in the Senate: Armed Services and Appropriations.

5. Humility-Senator Stennis was one of the most powerful people in the world but one of the most humble. A humble person realizes he owes much to a lot of people. (Examples - speech and the cafeteria line at Hinds Community College.)

6. Places common good above the individual-People who feel good about themselves produce good results. (Example - Senator Stennis in the effort to save Title XX in the state of Mississippi.)

7. A good leader must be accessible and understandable-You must not place yourself in an ivory tower and not be available to those who need to see you. You must be understandable to a large group, they must understand your principles and values and not spend valuable time trying to find out what the leader wants.

8. How to swim with sharks-

· Assume unidentified fish are sharks-Not all sharks look like sharks, and some fish, which are not sharks sometimes, act like sharks.
· Do not bleed-It is a cardinal principle that if you are injured either by accident of by intent you must not bleed.
· Counter any aggression promptly-Sharks rarely attack a swimmer without warning.
· Get out if someone is bleeding-If a swimmer (or shark) has been injured and is bleeding, get of the water promptly.
· Use anticipatory retaliation-A constant danger to the skilled swimmer is that the sharks will forget that he is killed and may attach in error.
· Disorganize an organized attack-Usually sharks are sufficiently self-centered that they do not act in concert against a swimmer.

This article appeared in Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, Summer, 1973. Little is known about the author, who died is Paris in 1812.

9. Consistent and fair-The Four-Way Rotary Test-
· Is it the TRUTH?
· Is it FAIR to all concerned?
· Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
· Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

10. Hard work-A person must be willing to pay the price in time, effort, and energy in order to provide leadership. You cannot be a clock-watcher. (Example - Joint Chiefs of Staff)

11. Ability to build coalitions, develop consensus, partnerships, and consortiums-One of the most difficult roles for a leader is the ability to provide leadership but not be in a position of power. (Example - Pushing a long chain.) King Juan Carlos I helped transform Spain into one of the world's healthiest and wealthiest democracies. History will relate how common people of the humblest origins shaped the future with their own hands.

Remember, you have some of every quality necessary for success.

FRIENDS

There was a church where the preacher and the song leader were not getting along. This began to spill over into the worship service. One week the preacher preached on commitment, and how we should dedicate ourselves to service. The song leader then led the song, "I shall Not Be Moved."

The next Sunday, the preacher preached on giving and how we should gladly give to the work of the Lord. The song leader then led the song, "Jesus Paid It All."

The next Sunday, the preacher preached on gossiping and how we should watch our tongues. The song leader then led the song, "I Love to Tell the Story."

The preacher became very disgusted over the situation, and the next Sunday he told the congregation he was considering resigning. The song leader then led the song, "Oh, Why Not Tonight."

As it came to pass, the preacher resigned and the next week informed the church that it was Jesus that led him there and it was Jesus that was taking him away. The song leader then led the song, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

Finally, as I close my comments this afternoon, I want to share with you a parable that Don Phelps, Chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District, has used effectively. It is titled: 'Do We Have as Much Sense as a Goose?' and was taken from a presentation before the Seattle Downtown Rotary by the Rev. Todd Fast, Associate Director, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Next spring when you see geese heading back north for the summer flying along in a "V" formation, you might be interested in knowing what scientists have discovered about why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

· Basic Truth #1: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on each other's thrust.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.

· Basic Truth #2: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are going.

When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates to the back and another goose flies point.

· Basic Truth #3: It pays to take turns doing hard jobs-with people or with geese flying north.

The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

· Basic Truth #4: We need to be careful what we say when we honk from behind.

Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group.

· Final Truth: If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.

One of the last discussions I had with Senator Stennis was at St. Catherine's. He was concerned about how he could help me.