Successful Leaders Discuss Transitioning from College to Career
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 6, 2012) -- Anyone who has ever worked or played on a successful team can point out the transformational leaders, even if they have never heard the term. It’s the individual with passion and the ability to communicate that passion with a clear vision which inspires and motivates the rest of the group to action. As people, these transformational leaders are energetic and enthusiastic; they are involved in the process and strive to help every member of the team succeed. Those qualities transform into a leadership style that creates positive, collaborative change, a paradigm shift that can bring about a progressive revolution within a scout troop, a basketball team, a business, a university, even an entire nation.
In his writings in 1985, researcher Bernard M. Bass developed the Bass’ Transformational Leadership Theory, which postulates that these particular leaders, while wildly successful in their chosen field also garner respect, trust and admiration from their followers.
Two of the most successful transformational leaders of our time will visit the University of Kentucky on Wednesday, April 11, for the public forum “Transformational Leadership in Action." William Johnston, former president and chief operating officer and director of the New York Stock Exchange (1996-2002), will speak on “Navigating a Successful Career Path Through Good Times and Challenging Times.” Paul Rooke, chairman and CEO of Lexmark International, Inc., will address “Transitioning from Collegiate Leadership to Developing a Successful Career Strategy.”
The Transformational Leadership in Action forum is slated for 4 p.m. April 11 in Worsham Theater of the UK Student Center. Tickets are required for admission and are available at the Student Center Ticket Office. Tickets are free for students, faculty and staff, and cost $5 for the general public.
The event is organized and sponsored by UK’s chapter of the national leadership honor society Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) in collaboration with Big Blue Starters, UK students’ entrepreneurship club; the College of Communications and Information Studies, the College of Engineering, the Gatton College of Business & Economics; and the UK Student Center Director’s Office.
"The reason why I chose to help organize this event was because I felt that my fellow students and I would most benefit from the talks about how to transition from college life and leadership to professional life and leadership, a topic which we have not been spoken to about but of which is very important to learn," said Amber Gay, vice president of the UK chapter of ODK.
"Leadership at the professional level requires much greater responsibility than we have at the collegiate level. Student leaders would greatly benefit from hearing these two exceptional leaders address what it takes to make the transition from college to successful careers," said Austin Mattingly, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering. "For most college students, we are only truly responsible for ourselves, so I think it will be very beneficial to learn what it takes to lead an entire company in times of adversity from these two exceptional leaders."