Leader to Leader Reflections
November 2, 2009

The Leader of the Future Celebration (2009)

Remarks by Susan Phillips Bari, Leader to Leader President & CEO 

We thank Mutual of America for their incredible generosity in hosting this Leader of the Future Award dinner. We are grateful to our Patron Sponsors and Benefactors for their generous support.

May we also recognize the contributions made by the board and staff of the Leader to Leader Institute to the success of tonight’s award dinner and to Taryn Lubin and Alfie Tucker of Mutual of America for their invaluable assistance?

I searched for an apt quote that would capture the importance of the contributions that General Shinseki has made to our country and each of its citizens. The following was written in the late 17th century by Irish dramatist George Farquhar. It is from his most famous play, The Recruiting Officer, based on his experience as a commissioned army recruiter. He could have been referring to our guest of honor when he wrote:

Courage, the highest gift, that scorns to bend
To mean devices for a sordid end.
Courage--an independent spark from Heaven's bright throne,
By which the soul stands raised, triumphant, high, alone.
Great in itself, not praises of the crowd,
Above all vice, it stoops not to be proud.
Courage, the mighty attribute of powers above,
By which those great in war, are great in love.
The spring of all brave acts is seated here…