Leadership Lessons from History

 As Black History Month comes to an end, we want to share our thoughts on some influential black leaders.

ROSA PARKS
She was small but determined. Rosa had the courage to stand up for her beliefs. She was jailed for refusing to give up her bus seat for a white passenger. Effective leaders should make the right decision – even if it is not a popular one.

GEORGE CARVER
He was a strong proponent of personal responsibility. “Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.” This profound statement from the notable agricultural scientist highlights the significance of integrity. The values of an organization flow from the top positions.

SARAH BREEDLOVE WALKER
This inventor and businesswoman created and sold her own brand of cream/shampoo in the early 1900s to ease the problem of itchy skin due to a lack of indoor plumbing. Her company trained thousands of African American women to sell the products in stores, through the mail and door-to-door visits. Ms. Walker knew the importance of employee recruitment and training.

JACKIE ROBINSON
As the first African American player in Major League Baseball, Jackie was ostracised by players and fans. His non-violent approach to the Civil Rights movement emphasizes the impact of leading by example.

URSULA BURNS
She holds the distinction of being the first African American woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. She was the top executive at Xerox from 2009 to 2016 in her role as CEO and chairwoman. Organizations thrive with strong leadership.

It is crucial to have the right people in the right roles for success. Organizations rely on the Davidson Group’s experience to hire and retain the right employees. We specialize in employee training and development.