Kevin Bautier
861239196
Business 156
Wrote for J. Scott Burd, PhD
Final analysis
Introduction
The subject of my work is called David G. I met David during the summer of 2016 as I
was enjoying summer in Florida. Back then, the political campaigns:
– local for congress, state assembly
– national: for presidency
were in full swing.
I was in city hall meeting in a city in central Florida, close to where my mother lives.
Candidates running for the Republican Party were introducing themselves and telling why people
should vote for them. Most of the people were boring, their message was all plain and honestly
none of them caught my attention.
Until this man who was tall and lanky with grey hair, started his speech by saying
“Everybody who likes Ted Cruz raise their hands”, at least half the hands rose up then continued
by saying “Everybody who likes Donald Trump raise their hands” once again a little bit more of
half the hands rose up. After that he concluded by saying “Well, I’m like Ted Cruz because I live
by the Bible and the constitution and I’m also like Donald Trump because I am a very successful
businessman”.
I thought his introduction was very clever as the race between these two was fierce and
on everybody’s lips. Additionally, this was a sincere way to introduce yourself and reach the
most people. Because the constitution, the bible and also that desire of getting ride of career
politicians by favoring a new profiles of leadership.
Granted this was a cocky way to introduce oneself because Ted Cruz has been a star for
years for all the constitutionalist while Trump is a billionaire. Meanwhile, David G. was running
a campaign and was perceived as the underdog.
I immediately loved his sincerity and from listening to him I thought that he was a doer
and a go getter who wanted to get things done.
I love the people who like to get things done rather than those who talk forever and get
nowhere.
When he was done, I went to speak with him, told him I admired him, that I understood
his vision and wanted to help.
Living in California, I couldn’t help with the heavy duty work: walking precincts, go to
other town hall meetings, meet outreach to the community. So I just helped by making phone
calls and set up websites.
Unfortunately, his political career stopped really quickly, he was eliminated in the first
round and suffered a disappointing defeat.
Analysis of individual’s leadership
The first lesson I’ve learned from this encounter is that when things don’t go your way
aka when you loose, it hurts but it’s also when you get the best lessons and learn the most.
We first met at a political meeting but build a fantastic relationship through the months.
that goes well beyond the political issues. I grew up with no dad and it’s only today that I think
I’ve found a true positive father figure.
As of today, David advises me on all matters: relationships with the ladies, professional
life all to help me make the right decisions.
So how come in a matter of just a few month, a stranger met at a political meeting could
change my life?
The answer is long and I will like to share the interview I’ve recorded with David as I
was in Florida for my birthday on my week end birthday (January 29th).
Interview questions
Q: Hello David, I am going to ask you some questions. I am taking this class: Business 156, it’s a
leadership and we have to write about someone I admire in order to get practical experience in
understanding the leadership qualities of someone you admire.
A: Sounds good Kevin, I am an open book.
Q: Please David, could you tell us about your early life?
A: I am a hillbilly (laughs), grew up in a poor mining city in west Virginia. I essentially grew up
with my mother and grand mother. My father was the pastor of our city but after everybody knew
he had an affair with my mother, he had to find an other church.
So, I grew up away from my father but I was very grateful to have both my mother and
grand mother with me. They were incredible women.
Q: What impact did these two women had on your life?
A: A huge one. We lived in a small house, I even shared the bed with my mother until I moved
out and got married.
They were both a model of virtue but what I admired the most about her is that they just
wouldn’t want to get handouts. They worked hard to raise me and I’ve always food on the table
and cloth on my body.
They put the bible and god first.
Q: What impact did god had on your life?
A: I find truth in two books: the bible and the constitution. These two books shape how I live my
life and give me moral checks and balances. Through churches, I’ve met fantastic people.
Additionally, it put some controls in my life. I’ve never got drunk in my life. I’ve had high
objectives since my early years and I feel that with some hindsight that drinking, drugs, partying
would’ve not help me reach them
It also allowed me to have a fantastic marriage because we both believed in something bigger
than our imperfect selves.
Q: Could you tell me more about your marriage?
I met my wife Judy when I was 16 years old, she was two years younger. We used to go
to the same church. I loved the way she was, a great woman. As soon as I turned 19 years old I
proposed and got married. We kept our purity until marriage.
We’ve had a fantastic marriage, we never had any arguments. I was working hard
providing for her and our 2 children. I’ve always found a lot of love in my household when I
came back from a long day of work.
We lived in Ohio, moved to Michigan and my wife and I retired in Florida. We were
living the American dream: grew up poor and through hard work, playing by the rules we
achieve self reliance and wealth. Until that day.. the 5th of February 2005.. Super Bowl XL.. my
wife and I were playing golf with two other couples. Something tragic happened and there’s is
not a day where I don’t think about this.. it’s almost been 12 years now.. But anyway.. I was
driving the golf cart and my wife felt and she immediately died.
On that day, I lost my better half and the love of my life.
Q: Thank you for sharing this sir. How did this terrible loss shaped how you lived your life
afterwards?
A: I stopped living in the flesh so much and started living more in the spirit.
I am going to share some bible verse to give you a better idea:
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of
the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are
opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. But if you are led by the
Spirit you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16–18
For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of
God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans
8:6-8)
For me living in the flesh is living the please others, conform and ultimately think about
your life on earth as the most important whereas the most important in living in the spirit is
living your life after death.
I used to work 60 hours a week, now I cut back. I used to only invest to make more
money, now I am involved in philanthropy. I told my children that they won’t have any
inheritance and will give all my wealth to various churches and christian projects to broadcast
the work of god so it could reach the most people.
In my opinion, I already gave enough to my children: a loving household where they had
their mom full time and could flourish. Additionally, I paid for their education in christian
schools from middle-school through college. So I believe all gave them all the cards to succeed
in this hard world.
Now I want to help the less fortunate ones.
Q: In that business or activities have you been invested throughout your life?
A: Right after graduating college, I started working in the trucking industry as a sales
representative. At just 25 years old I was using the jet of the company to fly all over the east
coast where I was assigned.
After that, the company paid my way through law school and I took the bar in the state of
Ohio and worked for the law department of the same company.
Then, I moved in Florida where I opened my law firm. Life has been great to me, can’t
complain. My family always lived very frugally so we saved and invested a lot.
Q: What do you think about me David?
A: Kevin, I’ve known for a little under a year and I think we have some shared attributes. We
both believe in something bigger than our lives. We both have objectives and we know that many
things, distractions don’t help us reach our goals so we have that gift of discernment to focus on
what really matters and not get lost on what’s irrelevant and wasteful. I am proud to know you
and in the future I am expecting you to do great things in your personal and professional life.
Lessons learned from person :
Meeting and getting to know David has been a total blessing. he has helped me a lot
finding a purpose for my life and I look up to him because in a way we didn’t had a head start in
life, we don’t make excuses and we just get it done. From him, I learned that nothing beats hard
work, the harder you work the luckier you get. David wakes up every morning early and goes to
bed late. I also learned that they are things bigger than our worries and that we should live, serve
a bigger purpose than just getting through life. We can all make a difference, for him it is to
invest and give back to others, for me it might be this or something else. As of today, I try to give
back: being a good brother and helping my siblings as much as I can, calling my family who
lives oversea; and also going out of my way to help friends.
I’m not a big fan of my dad because he shows a facade of someone very friendly but deep
down, he never goes out of his way to help other, is rude to his parents and his family. If my dad
took the Holt’s test I don't know where he would stand.
Use of Types Test
But I asked David to conduct a Holt’s test. His results are on the right and my estimation
are on the left.
Analysis of answers to questions
David has been a man on a mission since day 1. Extremely driven, focused like a laser on
his task he made sure never to be distracted by the life.
Through his answers I would’ve expected high scores in will, organizer and ideal. I am
surprised by his low love score but I expected a low harmony type.
Integration between student (taking for leader) and leader’s – How do they compare
I was pretty close in many ways: very strong will, ideal and organizer. I was expecting
that he would be more of a scientific and less of a lover. But I am pretty proud of myself I
guessed his top 3. To be honest, thinking about it, I should’ve expect him to score higher in love
because David is one true caring individual.
For the will type:
The will type focus on his own position in an organization and ultimately seeks power.
They differentiate themselves with super strength and courage. They lack sensitivity in both their
professional and sentimental lives. I agree with the first statements alt ought I think that David is
a very loving and caring human. At least today, it could be fair to assume that before his wife
died he could’ve been different.
He plays water volley ball in the +55 community he lives in. He is very proud to tell me
that he plays with the advance groups and that he is one of the very best in the pool.
So after knowing what we have studied in the past weeks I told him that life isn’t always
about performance and that on the lower level strong will types can come up as closed
emotionally. I shared him some of the things from Holt’s test and your “Profiles of leadership”
and how much it has been a revealing experience for me.
David is definitely a will types because he is an excellent leaders. He is self-confident
and knows that he was "born to lead."
The Ideal type:
David loves to inspire and strive to influence people to my ideas. That’s definitely why he
ran for office in 2016. In fact. Furthermore, he is deeply set in his ideas. On the lower level, the
ideal type are stubborn and closed to other ideas and for David that might be the case..
The love type:
I was very surprised David scored low in the love type: I had a feeling he was a romantic
spouse, he always listen to music, even attends concerts frequently and he is very tuned into
other feelings. Being highly will typed might be handicapping in that regard. He might be having
a hard time understanding people and relating to them emotionally. He could appear to be very
stiffed neck in his ways, very set in his religious ideals.
How did the class enhance your leadership style
What are your plans to integrate class material into your life
This class made me aware of my strength as my top 3 personality types were:
#1 Will
#2 Ideal
#3 Scientific
I fully agree with my high score in Will. I am very oriented towards my own
opportunities for success. Success has been at the center of my life as soon as my early teen
years. My definition of success is different from many, I value much more power, influence,
prestige than money. Prestige and power are like the old stone building who stays for centuries
while money is just a beautiful beach house that starts falling down rapidly. I am very
competitive and always wanted to be the best in anything I did. At almost 26, it destroys me from
within when I don’t achieve my goals. Unfortunately, this traits often lead me to hurt people. The
ladies reproach me to be introverted or cold by not expressing my emotions and I agree. I think
that if my emotions are too strong they will jeopardize my chances of reaching my goals. In fact,
the leader I admire the most, Tom Brady, quarterback for the New England Patriots, never lets
his emotions distract him from his goals. He seems to strive under pressure and unlike many,
uses his emotions to his advantage.
I’ve grew up in France and I’ve always dreamed of living in America, this was my vision.
The only hurdle was getting the money to live my dreams. Therefore to reach this goal, after high
school I’ve let my feelings aside and worked hard for 3 years making huge sacrifices.
My second type is idealistic. I can also relate to some extent because I love to inspire and
strive to influence people to my ideas. Just like David. In fact, I started a political club last may
because I am deeply rooted in some political and social ideals. The whole purpose of this club is
to open hearts and minds to political conservative ideals and ultimately have more like minded
political elective in place. As of today we have over 50 members and worked with candidates in
last election cycle. Furthermore, I am deeply set in my ideas. I am 100% sure what I believe is
right and when I listen to people with different point of view it’s to find their flaws and influence
them even better.
My third type is scientific which didn’t surprised me. I am very detail oriented and in
permanent research for truth. Actually, my favorite way to influence people is to use facts. The
downside of this type is the handicap it brings in regards to emotions. I often appear as
insensitive and almost inhuman. To illustrate this, I always compare girls, taking them to some
sort of combine where I use metrics: height, body type, hair, eye color and also judge them on
their aptitude. This might shock many put that’s really how I am. Along the same line, scientific
are very humble in their leadership and I am exactly like that. I am always very thankful when
people attend the meetings of the political club I preside. Furthermore, my engagement in
politics is all based on the premise of humankind betterment. As of today, politics has not earned
me a $ and I am not in there for that. I strongly believe that individuals and society in general
would be stronger (more intelligent and more able) if they had to take charge of their lives
instead of relying on the welfare state.
I think I am strong willed, very active, motivated and goal driven.
I am having a problem sharing my emotions with others and I sometime wish I was less
competitive because it bring a lot of destructive behavior when I don’t win. In fact,
People
can feel my passion and it’s generally contagious. Being active allows me to complete a lot of
task and lead by example.
I am sometime having trouble leading because I want things to go fast with no question
asked. I need to have a better ear for my peers requests
I am very grateful for this class but now I know better who I am. My qualities and
imperfections makes me self aware and a better leader. Like a boxer who has a weak uppercut,
his coach can correct him and turn his weakness into a lethal weapon.
Therefore by knowing who I am I can work better on my flaws while reinforcing my
existing qualities. Finally, I need to become more like one of my favorite french expressions:
“une main de fer dans un gant de soie”, literally “An iron fist in a velvet glove”. This means that
I need to keep my authority and my will to get things done but be more diplomatic.
Moving forward from this class: I will be more attentive to other’s feeling, choose better
words when leading others.
As I am reading and going through what I wrote for myself I think that I admire David
because I am impressed by what he has accomplished and to some extent I want to live a similar
life than the one he is living. By talking to him and getting to know him I got awareness of his
strengths but also his weaknesses. Might sound cocky, but I want to take all the positives he has
to offer and correct his flaws. He appears as a stiff neck christian and that’s not appealing to most
people nowadays, in California even more than in Florida.
What major ideas did you gain from exercise and class
This class made me understand the power of meditation. I believe that praying intensely
is one from of meditation. I try to meditate more frequently. I will forever remember two
meditation, the first when we had to talk with our leader:
– The leader I pick was Tom Brady, quarterback for the New England Patriots. What I love about
him is that he leads by example and is able to turn average players, his linemen or receivers into
the best of the leagues because he inspires them to be the best they can.
So as I was starting to focus and as crazy (or imaginative) is this might sound, I was hearing Tom
Brady’s voice telling me what leading by example really was. It was like he was taking to me
like I knew him forever, he basically told me 10 things:
1. Take responsibility. Be the first to arrive and the last to leave the meeting room 2. Be truthful.
Don’t lie.
3. Be courageous. Push your teammates/partner to do even better.
4. Acknowledge failure. Loosing is part of the game and even if it’s not pleasant it’s always a
good lesson.
5. Be persistent. Practice makes perfect.
6. Create solutions. Innovate and don’t dwell on problems.
7. Listen. Ask questions to your superiors and make sure the ones you lead don’t have any
questions.
8. Delegate liberally. You will need people you can trust and you will have to empower them
with responsibilities.
9. Take care of yourself. Appearance plays a major role in your success. Eat well and work out.
10. Roll up your sleeves.
The other one that I won’t forget was meeting with our demon sub-personality. My big one was
the critic and I confronted him. This terrible critic personality told me I had a need to critic
because I liked seeing others in misery. Which sadly is true. After that I remember that we talked
with a stranger about it. I spoke to a classmate who was very interesting and sharing with her my
problem wasn't an issue.
How did the class enhance your leadership style
I told in a earlier paper that I was the president of a political club here in Riverside. We
held our elections Monday night and one girl who was hoping to get elected vice president did
not got elected. In fact when I called for new nomination from the floor and someone wanted to
get an other person to fill this office.
Instead of fighting for the job she just withdrew. Then after the meeting she ran away.
I knew I had to talk to her.. Back in the days I would’ve told her that she was
disappointing and thought she should've fought for it that her entitlement mentality can’t take her
anywhere.
But since I took this class I knew I have to work on my love approach so I called her and
instead of taking control of the conversation I let her go and tell me why she gave up.
She admitted me that she has been going though a lot of things in her life, definitely her
family that she also felt that the person who was opposing her would win the election and she
ultimately didn’t want to suffer the defeat.
I told her that I would’ve voted for her and also that she has all my support. I asked if she
wanted to stay involved and she agree. I’m very happy because she did a good job,