Economic Policy Lecture Series
April 4, 2007
"Effective Leadership"
Michael R. Hogan
Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Sigma-Aldrich Corporation
On Wednesday, April 4, 2007 Michael R. Hogan, became Lindenwood University’s second presenter in the Distinguished Executive Lecture Series. He spoke from experience and from the heart about the critical characteristics of a leader.
Mr. Hogan defined leadership as, “The ability of an individual to influence, motivate and enable others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the organizations of which they are members.” Fundamentally, he agrees with Carolyn Losos of Leadership St. Louis that “things get done by those who show up.”
He provided several personal examples and from the lives of famous leaders
to examine the question “What makes a leader?” Mr. Hogan concluded
that leaders:
• Know what to do because they do their homework
• They tell others what to do, not how to do it
• Lead by example
• Take care of their people
• Exhibit integrity
• Are persistent.
During the question and answer period, he was asked, “What should
you need to keep in mind when you work for an international company?”
He responded: “You should not assume that headquarters is always
right. Learn the culture, customs, needs, wants, desires of the people
in the country in which you work and conform, as much as possible, to
their culture.”
Michael R. Hogan Presents Distinguished Executive Lecture on "Leadership."
Mr. Hogan Takes Questions from the Audience.
President Evans Gives a Memento to Michael Hogan.