June 2017

James Le Blanc & Perry Stagg on Peers and 2nd Chances

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The Complete Biographies For Today’s Guests:

Secretary James M. Le Blanc has worked for the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections for more than 40 years. He has served the past nine years as Secretary, being appointed to the Cabinet position by two governors.

Le Blanc enlisted in the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War. After an honorable discharge in 1971, he returned to school and received a B.A. in Business Administration from Southeastern Louisiana University in December 1972.

His career in corrections began in 1973 at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. Le Blanc promoted through the ranks, serving as Undersecretary (1992-1995), interim Director of Probation and Parole (1998-1999), Warden at Dixon Correctional Institute for 12 years, and Acting Chief of Operations (2007).

Secretary Le Blanc’s commitment to Louisiana’s justice system includes a focus on the fundamental importance of public safety while giving all citizens the opportunity to live productive lives. He routinely emphasizes “reentry” as a major factor of the Department’s mission. Reentry is his passion. Le Blanc believes that establishing valuable, real-world vocational, educational and life skills training for offenders in all institutions is one of the keys to ensuring the core mission of public safety. Reducing Louisiana’s number one (in the world) incarceration rate is a tall order, but Le Blanc’s enthusiasm for seeing offenders succeed is all the motivation this leader needs.

His many awards include being selected as the National Association of Wardens and Superintendents (NAAWS) “Warden of the Year.”

Perry Stagg is Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C). He oversees the Office of Adult Service, and has worked in the field of Public safety and Corrections for 21 years with experience in Investigations, Finance, Programing, Security and Administration

Mr. Stagg served 10 years as an Assistant Warden at Louisiana State Penitentiary. Angola. While at Angola, Mr. Stagg became heavily involved in the Corrections Court Reentry Program, an innovative approach to rehabilitating short term offenders using Lifer inmates as mentors.

Mr. Stagg received his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University in 1994. He is a member of the Louisiana Association of Wardens, the National Association of Wardens and Superintendents, the Louisiana Correctional Association and the American Correctional Association. Mr. Stagg is also a Certified Corrections Executive.

Louisiana Department of Corrections Website

Scott Mordell Talks About the Value of Shared Experiences and Having a Safe Haven

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Scott Mordell has been CEO of a number of privately-held organizations. He has served as YPO’s CEO for six years. YPO is the global platform for chief executives to engage, learn and grow. YPO members harness the knowledge, influence and trust of the world’s most influential and innovative business leaders to inspire business, personal, family and community impact.

Today, YPO empowers more than 25,000 chief executives in more than 130 countries, diversified among industries and types of businesses. Altogether, YPO member-led companies employ more than 15 million people and generate USD6 trillion in annual revenues.

Next week’s guests are Jimmy LeBlanc and Perry Stagg, Louisiana Department of Corrections.

Christina L. Martini Speaks to the Power of Diverse Perspectives

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Christina L. Martini is a partner with DLA Piper – a global law firm with lawyers in more than 40 countries. Tina is Chair of the Chicago Intellectual Property Practice Group and serves as DLA Piper’s National Hiring Partner – Associate Recruiting. She has received numerous professional accolades, including an “AV Preeminent” rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

In addition to Tina’s full-time practice and various leadership roles at the firm, she is a thought leader, author, columnist, and speaker. Tina frequently shares her business and legal expertise on media outlets such as Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, WGN Plus Radio, Chicago Lawyer Magazine, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Huffington Post, and Fast Company, among others.

Next week’s guest is Scott Mordell, CEO of YPO.

Rep. Barton and Rep. Doyle Reflect on Civility

In the wake of this morning’s (6/14/2017) senseless shooting in Alexandria, Virginia, Representatives Joe Barton (R-TX) and Mike Doyle (D-PA) held a joint news conference on the congressional baseball practice shooting, updating reporters and assuring everyone that the annual game will go on as scheduled. Their extemporaneous and poignant reflection is something that should give all pause.

Here are a few excerpts provided by CSPAN, along with a video of the press conference. The full press conference is well worth watching.

Rep. Doyle: “IT SHOULDN’T TAKE AN INCIDENT LIKE THIS TO BRING US TOGETHER. I KNOW IN TIMES OF TRAGEDY WE AS AMERICANS DO THAT. BUT JOE AND I HAVE BEEN REFLECTING A LOT LATELY JUST ON HOW WE CAN STILL MAINTAIN OUR PRINCIPLES AND OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDAS BUT IN A MORE CIVIL WAY. AND WHEN THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS COUNTRY IS CIVIL TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER, MAYBE THE PUBLIC WILL START BEING CIVIL TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER, TOO. AND THE NEWS MEDIA WILL BE CIVIL TOWARDS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC. AND WE CAN CHANGE THE MOOD IN THIS COUNTRY SO THAT PEOPLE DON’T GET FILLED UP WITH THIS KIND OF HATRED.”

Rep. Barton: “IT’S A DIFFERENT CLIMATE TODAY THAN IT WAS IN 1985 WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED AND PART OF IT IS TECHNOLOGY AND THE ATTACK POLITICS AND THE 15-SECOND ATTACK ADS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. MEMBERS ARE NOT LOOKED AT AS PEOPLE ANYMORE. WE’RE KIND OF LOOKED AT AS, I DON’T WANT TO SAY TARGETS, BUT PEOPLE THINK THEY CAN COME TO OUR TOWN HALL MEETINGS AND SAY JUST THE MOST OBNOXIOUS THINGS AND WE NOT FEEL IT PERSONALLY. I CAN ASSURE YOU, EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS IS A PERSON. HE HAS FAMILY.”

Here’s where we can all take Kouzes and Posner’s advice to model the way.

Come Up With The Title Of My New Book and Receive A Copy For You and 11 More For Your Peers!

As many of you know, I dubbed 2017 the Year of the Peer. Throughout the year, I’ve learned (and continue to learn) a great deal from the people whom I surround myself – including the new people I have met. These are the guests on my podcast, audience members for my keynotes, and participants in the several dozen CEO/Key Executive workshops I’ve conducted. I’ve also learned a great deal from what you’ve all offered in the form of blog posts, articles, videos, etc.

My new book provides leaders, aspiring leaders, and educators with 12 practical takeaways about the value of surrounding yourself with the right people and the power of tapping into the unlimited potential they can create for your business and your life. It’s not focused on neuroscience, how to become part of the collaborative economy, or how to start or join a peer group. It’s focused squarely on our greatest (and most underutilized) source of success and happiness – the people we surround ourselves with each an every day.

Since you are playing such a prominent role in informing the content, I’d like to practice what I preach and not attempt to sit in a room by myself to craft a compelling title. So here’s what I’d like to do:

Starting today through July 31st, I invite you to submit a book title – a title that captures the essence of something you’d love to read. Assume that the subtitle will be 12 Timeless Takeaways From The Year of the Peer. Understand that I’m not the sole decision maker when it comes to selecting the final title. Fortunately, I have a wonderful publisher (the Taylor & Francis Group) which will have a hand in helping us make the best choice.

In early August, I’ll post our favorite submissions and ask you to pick among your favorites on the list. That doesn’t mean the top vote-getter will be selected, because there are a host of other considerations when it comes to picking a title, yet your preferences will provide us with another important data point that will undoubtedly be helpful to reaching a final decision.

The working title to date is: Winning With Your Peers. Another option under consideration is Who You Surround Yourself With Matters. I believe you can offer other powerful options! The person who comes up with the title selected for publication will receive 12 signed copies of the book – one for you and 11 others for you to give away to the people you value in your life. I hope you see this as 12 valuable takeaways for your efforts. Please send your suggested titles to leo@leobottary.com (submit as many ideas as you like), and I will confirm receipt of your email(s). Game on!

*No purchase necessary. The decision of the author and the publisher is final. If I receive multiple entries of the same title, the one I received first will take precedence. Once you are notified that you have won, the signed books will be shipped to you free of charge when they become available in Spring, 2018.

**Book artwork is not meant to represent the final cover.

Jeffrey Hayzlett on Paying It Forward

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Jeffrey Hayzlett is the primetime television host of C-Suite with Jeffrey Hayzlett and Executive Perspectives LIVE on C-Suite TV and is the host of the award-winning All Business with Jeffrey Hayzlett on C-Suite Radio. Hayzlett is a global business celebrity, Hall of Fame speaker, best-selling author, and Chairman of C-Suite Network, home of the world’s most trusted network of C-Suite leaders.

Next week’s guest is Christina L. Martini, Partner at DLA Piper LLP (US).

Peers and Beers

Heineken recently invited us to open our world. If you haven’t seen it already, take time to watch! It will be the best 4 minutes of your day! This is what the Year of the Peer is all about!

Leo Bottary’s Year of the Peer Update

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Leo Bottary is an author, keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and thought leader on the topic of peer advantage. After eight years as an instructor for Seton Hall University, where he was named adjunct teacher of the year in 2015, he now serves as an instructor for Rutgers.

During his tenure at Vistage Worldwide, Leo Bottary led the rebranding of the company and directed a thought leadership initiative on the power of peers in business. This work resulted in a book he coauthored with Leon Shapiro titled: The Power of Peers: How the Company You Keep Drives Leadership, Growth & Success. Leo (and publisher Taylor & Francis Group) will release a new book in Spring 2018, which he’ll tell us more about on the show!

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