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Virginia Bauer Leads from the Heart
Steve Adubato, Ph.D.
By any standard, Virginia Bauer is an exceptional leader. What
is particularly interesting about her is that she didn’t come
to leadership by any traditional route. Virginia lost her husband
David, who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center,
on September 11. Years back, Ginny (as she likes to be called) worked
for Merrill Lynch. But for the next 17 years she dedicated most
of her life to her 3 children. But as was the case for thousands
of people in our area, 9/11 changed everything.
But Ginny felt she had no choice but to step up and lead. While
dealing with her own grief and loss she began organizing the widows
and family members of 9/11 victims. There was a narrow window of
opportunity from September 11 to the end of 2001 to enact federal
tax relief legislation for surviving family members. She testified
before Congress and communicated very directly with US Senators
as well as White House officials about the need to get this legislation
signed quickly. She went on countless television programs to persuade
the public that sympathy wasn’t enough and that action was
essential. In January 2002, along with her three children, Ginny
stood next to President Bush while he signed the tax relief legislation
benefiting 9/11 family members.
Because of those efforts, Governor Jim McGreevey asked Bauer to
serve as executive director of the NJ Lottery. Today she leads the
lottery effort in the state with the same passion and enthusiasm
that she showed after 9/11. For Ginny Bauer, the key to her leadership
style comes down to a few simple but powerful tools:
--Get to know your team. Says Ginny, “At least once or twice
a day I make it a point to walk around and talk with the 150 people
in our office. I simply say hi, wave or stop to have a one-on-one
conversation. It creates a stronger sense of unity. For the lottery
to be successful, I need to know my people. If I can help to make
their jobs better, success will follow.”
--Connect with your audience in order to persuade them. “I
let them know that I care about them.” What Ginny Bauer understands
is that people have to know you care in order for them to care about
what you have to say. Again, a simple but powerful leadership tool.
--Don’t try to copy someone else’s leadership style.
Ginny says, “What has always helped me is being myself. If
you are who you are and don’t try to pretend to be something
you are not, that is the key. Be comfortable in your own skin.”
But she warns, knowing yourself isn’t enough. You also have
to “know your material and know your subject.”
--Know that you don’t need to have all the answers. “I’m
not afraid to ask questions. Sometimes a leader tries to fudge things
and pretend he knows all. Some leaders feel that by asking a question,
they will lose respect. But you really gain respect by asking honest
questions and the wealth of information I’ve gained from my
employees and those around me has helped me make some really great
decisions.”
The lesson of Ginny Bauer is pretty clear. Leaders come in all
shapes and sizes and they don’t all have Harvard MBA’s.
Often, people are put into positions because of unforeseen circumstances
(sometimes tragedies) and find out what’s really inside of
themselves. One might say, these people lead from the heart. It’s
about an intense desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
There are millions of Ginny Bauer’s out there that lead in
this inspiring way on a daily basis. We just don’t know their
names.
Dr. Steve Adubato coaches and speaks on the subjects of communication
and leadership and is the author of the book "Speak from the
Heart." Write to him at The Star-Ledger, 1 Star-Ledger Plaza,
Newark, NJ 07102, visit his Web site at www.stand-deliver.com,
or e-mail him at sadubato@aol.com.
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