Army's future leaders set stage for 'Meeting of the Minds'

By Mike Strasser, West Point Directorate of Public Affairs and CommunicationsSeptember 22, 2010

West Point sets stage for "Meeting of the Minds"
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The U.S. Military Academy's Corps of Cadets made up much of the audience for CNBC's "Meeting of the Minds: The Future of Leadership." The special, taped at Crest Hall on Sept. 15 and aired that night, featured CNBC host Maria Bartiromo and an expert ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Meeting of the Minds
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – NCBC's "Meeting of the Minds: The Future of Leadership," taped at Crest Hall on Sept. 15 and aired that night, featured CNBC host Maria Bartiromo and an expert panel including the U.S. Military Academy's adjunct professor in the Department of Behavio... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Future leaders question the experts
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CNBC's "Meeting of the Minds: The Future of Leadership" was filmed at the U.S. Military Academy on Sept. 15. Standing in line to ask a question to the panel is Class of 2012 Cadet Michael Gorman, who asked Anne Mulcahy, former chairman and CEO of Xer... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WEST POINT, N.Y. (Sept. 23, 2010) -- It's a subject that has been studied, debated and theorized at West Point for more than two centuries, but one rarely televised for a national audience. Leadership took center stage Sept. 15 when a panel of expert decision-makers, business influencers, policy makers and visionaries assembled at Eisenhower Hall's Crest Hall for a CNBC special called "Meeting of the Minds: The Future of Leadership."

With a Corps of Cadets audience surrounding the stage, CNBC host Maria Bartiromo welcomed the panel which included the U.S. Military Academy's adjunct professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership Alison Levine, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and West Point Class of 1966 graduate retired Gen. Wesley Clark and New England Patriots CEO and Chairman Robert Kraft.

Bartiromo described the one-hour event as an opportunity "to unite one generation of leaders with another so we can keep America thriving through all the challenges ahead."

In that spirit, Bartiromo handed the microphone to several cadets to ask leadership questions to the panel.

Class of 2012 Cadet Richard Hood asked Jim Owens, Caterpillar Inc. chairman, whether leaders are born or made.

"I personally think (leadership qualities) are developed through training, through life and through the learning cycle you go through in life," Owens said. "Take every opportunity to learn. It's a lifetime journey and you keep building on that learning experience to prepare yourself for leadership in the future."

The forum also delved into discussing the characteristics of a leader-courage, integrity and learning from failures.

Levine, who served as the team captain for the first American Women's Everest Expedition, said there's intolerance to failure in America.

"I think when we are intolerant of failure that really stifles innovation in America, because failure is one of the greatest learning experiences," Levine said. "I think if we became more failure tolerant that would grow innovation, I think it would grow the economy and I think it would grow more people into responsible, successful leaders."

Bartiromo asked West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. David Huntoon Jr. why a poll of cadets showed integrity was the most critical leadership issue today.

"In the Army, integrity is defined very simply as doing what's right legally and morally every single day," Huntoon said. "That's fundamental to the way we speak about leadership here at West Point. I think cadets live with this values-based leadership at West Point each and every day and integrity must be at the top of their list."

After the taping, several cadets interviewed panel members one-on-one for a Psychology for Leaders course project.

Class of 2012 Cadet Rachel Stuhlmiller interviewed Levine to gain more information and insight into the leadership principles addressed in the PL300 course.

"Interviewing and getting to escort Ms. Levine around West Point was the highlight of the experience," Stuhlmiller said. "Being an interviewer allowed me to essentially have a conversation with an incredible leader. I was able to gain greater insight into her motivation and character."

If the tables were turned and Stuhlmiller was on the panel, what would she say if Bartiromo asked her what makes an extraordinary leader'

"Integrity, focus and confidence," Stuhlmiller said.

Of the panelists, she said U.S. Airways Capt. Chesley Sullenberger III best reflected her idea of a leader.

Sullenberger is best known for successfully landing his malfunctioning plane on the Hudson River in January 2009, thus saving the lives of 155 passengers.

"He made two clear points with which I identified strongly. The first, that he maintained a sense of calm in an emergency, and the second, he stayed focused on the task at hand," Stuhlmiller said.

The program wrapped with each panelist sharing their final thoughts on leadership.

"I think when you're a leader you have to look at your situation, your problem that you're facing and you have to have a plan," Clark offered. "You have to have a sense of responsibility and you create and live that plan. Whether it's how to take your company through an inspection or how to run a raid in Afghanistan or how to lead an alliance-the leader has to have the vision and the technical confidence to have the plan."

This is the fifth installment of the "Meeting of the Minds" series which previously hosted panels to discuss technology, capitalism and industry in America.

Producer Mary Duffy told the cadets prior to taping that the show has been in development for months, with a staff of 96 working several days at West Point to erect the stage, install the lighting and film intros and segues.

"This is the ultimate place to come for a talk on leadership," Duffy said.

The program has not been rebroadcast yet, but several clips can be viewed online at: http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232'video=1592373403&play=1.

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