I had the opportunity last year, on a flight back to LAX from Nashville via Dallas, to sit a couple seats in from of Ben Stein and his wife Alexandra.  I’m not normally a star struck person but I wanted to engage and introduce myself to him.  So I did.  During cruise flight, I got out of my seat turned around and introduced myself and mentioned to him it was a pleasure to meet him and that I enjoy his discussions on Fox News and his ultimate role in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.  He laughed and immediately introduced me to his wife Alexandra and then was the most friendly, humble person I have met in a while.  He and I briefly talked politics, movies and I snapped the above picture.

You may be thinking, “what is the big deal here?”  Well, what I learned is that being cordial, humble and thankful to whoever wants to talk with you weather its family, an old friend, a client, a team member, doing it with a smile and being genuine is the key.  Ben could of turned away, been stand offish, etc.  He was not.  I think about this sometimes when people want to pick my brain about different things and being a very succinct person it’s hard for me to engage in long deep conversations.

As a leader we are always learning weather it’s from books, trainings or just simple conversations and reflection on a flight home.  Never pass up an opportunity to do some introspection and learn!

As a continual student of leadership and constantly reading, watching, listening, and doing, I have been reflecting on how and why am I motivated and gifted to be a leader and entrepreneur?  One of my greatest leadership examples, aside from Jesus Christ himself, is President Lincoln.  How could I not be interested in the leadership style as well as the perseverance of President Lincoln…right?  Take a look below at events in his life that most of us would quit.  Maybe it is here that Winston Churchill reflected to come up with his “Never Give In” speech?

Albeit Lincoln is a great historical figure and I believe there is a lot to be absorbed from his style there is still the option of leadership being “caught.”  By being caught I mean learning from people around you.  I “caught” leadership, drive, perseverance, Love for the Lord, hard work and the value of a dollar from my father, Joseph Reichenberger.  He IS a quiet man and leads by silence and is good at it.  When my brother and I were kids all my mom had to say is wait till your father gets home.  We knew we were screwed and yes we did receive spankings and we deserved every one and yes we are good people because of the course correction.  Most of the time he would come home and I would cower and tell him what I did and that I was either stupid or sorry or both and 9 out 10 times that was the lesson.  He taught us by saying and doing very little because he quietly taught us accountability that would reflect in each of us our whole lives.

What is it that YOU are “TEACHING” other around you weather it is co-workers, family or children?  When you walk circumspectly, others will follow.  Have an ethical and moral true north and always course correct to stay on track and you will become the leader you want to be!