CIVIL RIGHTS “T3” LEADER: DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born January, 15 1929.  He was more than America’s greatest civil rights leader.  He was one of America’s greatest leaders, period. A Nobel Peace Prize winner, he is the only non-President to have a national holiday named in their honor.  Inspirational leaders have a vision of what needs to be done and the energetic drive that influences others to help them achieve common goals.  MLK did that and more.  He built coalitions, always chose the inspirational, non-violent high road and persevered with purpose in pursuit of racial equality.  Examples of his “T3” leadership style include: 
  • TEAMWORK:  MLK asked, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”  He was a servant leader, putting the welfare of others and the communities to which he belonged ahead of himself.  He was a tireless traveler, making effective connections on a personal level with the goal of building civic, commercial and religious coalitions to raise the national consciousness of racism beginning in the mid-1950’s in the deep South.  The results of his team building efforts at the local, regional and national level resulted in landmark national civil rights legislation during the 1960’s.  
  • TONE: MLK never wavered in his steadfast commitment to non-violence.  He traveled to India in 1959 to learn lessons about the peaceful practices of Ghandi.  “Non violence is a powerful and just weapon,” said King, “which cuts without wounding and enables the man who wields it.  It is a sword that heals.”  When MLK provided a keynote speech, people were moved.  His oratory skills were second to none.  Napoleon declared, “A leader is a dealer in hope.”  MLK’s 1963 “I Have A Dream” speech was one which reverberated with hope.  Its focus on the hope of equality, freedom and ending racism makes it one of the most iconic speeches in US history. 
  • TENACITY: MLK could not and would not be deterred in the struggle for racial equality. He was often assaulted, repeatedly arrested and imprisoned 30 times.  MLK was a tireless champion for justice, working 18-20 hour days for years trying to end racism.  Between 1957 and 1968 it is estimated he traveled six million miles and spoke 2,500 times.  His indomitable will never be exceeded. 
MLK was a transformational “T3” leader who’s boundless energy and extraordinary communication skills inspired people to connect and motivated them to act.  His life was tragically taken by an assassin in 1968 but his legacy of leadership and dream for racial equality will endure forever. 

Rear Admiral Paul Becker, USN (Ret) is a leadership expert.  He is CEO of The Becker T3 Group, a platform for his motivational and national security keynote speaking.  A former Naval Intelligence Officer, he’s successfully led large, diverse, high-performance teams afloat and ashore in peace, crisis and combat.  In 2016, The Naval Intelligence Community established the “Rear Admiral Paul Becker Teamwork, Tone, Tenacity Award for Leadership” in his honor.  To book Paul for your next virtual event, contact us today!

 

No Comments

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.