Scholar Scott Eisner reflects on his experience in the PLS program
On June 27, 58 members of the 2019 class of Presidential Leadership Scholars graduated in a ceremony at the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
With the
culmination of the 2019 class of the Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS)
program, we now turn of the page to the next chapter of our lives. Lives that
were inspired by presidents who gave this country their all in an effort to
shape the path for those who will come after them. For me, PLS was a seminal
reflection point to never forget our roots, as different as they might be. It
reminded me that we are all one in the same – a set of DNA markers that define
us as who we are to ourselves and how others perceive us.
But
perception is not always reality. Throughout human history, we have taken these
simple markers and layered value, meaning, and, at times, prejudice upon them.
Throughout
the PLS program, our class studied at the feet of our nation’s leaders who
sought to make the next generation better.
Presidents
George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Lyndon B. Johnson taught us that
we are all evolving, we are all valuable, and we are all fallible. Within our
failures, we can find life lessons:
President Johnson taught us
to know what others need so that you are prepared to make the necessary concessions
“without giving away the ranch.”
President George H.W. Bush
taught us that personal and lasting relationships matter, and personal
connections count.
President Bill Clinton
taught us about the narrative of life and how to turn those narratives into
convictions.
President George W. Bush
taught us that faith, regardless of its form or origin, was something that
binds us all together.
All four presidents taught us to stand behind our decisions, no matter how hard they might be to make.
But these are just lessons. What sets great leaders apart is their ability to inspire those around them to be better and to act better. The PLS program brought together a group of inspired individuals from different walks of life, all yearning to find a commonality among their collective vision of the world and what can truly make it a better place: the understanding that all viewpoints are valid and none should be shunned. In our class there were veterans, survivors of gun violence, and survivors of sexual violence, politicians, private sector leaders, tech entrepreneurs, doctors, civic rights leaders and artists. Although we were all different, we were taught to learn as one.
We no longer need to be reminded of the amazing qualities of our fellow citizens and what this country has to offer. But we do need to be reminded that each of us have a voice and that there are always lessons to be learned from our fellow Americans, no matter what their position is in life.
So, the
next time you see someone on the street, who looks different from you or a
little rough around the edges, stop for a second, ask them their name, and see
how they can inspire you.
How a dinner during the PLS program inspired six strangers to discover a shared American identity
The Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program enables a deep, one-of-a-kind leadership experience that equips changemakers across the nation with leadership lessons and insights from the presidential experiences of Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Throughout the program, Scholars, each representing unique cultural backgrounds, heritage and experiences, often find themselves sharing meals with people they may not have had the opportunity to interact with before, and they use it as a chance to learn from one another. During the first 2019 PLS session in D.C., we overheard a lively discussion with Scholars about the experience of PLS, and what civic engagement means to them as veterans, refugees, public servants, social entrepreneurs, and educators. Below are highlights from their conversation.
Scholar Alfia Ilicheva participates in the first session of the 2019 Presidential Leadership Scholars program in Washington, D.C.
Alfia Ilicheva (Russian-American, co-founder of Women in Innovation and Managing Director at R/GA Ventures, New York, NY)
“Civic engagement means action with purpose. The PLS program has been a transformative experience in making the personal leadership narratives of historical and current leaders, from David Rubenstein and Alexis Herman to George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, real and tangible with vivid examples and inspiring principles behind their decision-making. As Presidential Leadership Scholars, or broadly as American citizens, we are committed to solving major problems and catalyzing a positive difference in the world. Our ability to succeed as public servants, to participate thoughtfully in our communities, is contingent on our efficacy as leaders, to persist against adversity and uncertainty with composure and grace.”
Scholar Dilafruz Khonikboyeva participates in the first session of the 2019 Presidential Leadership Scholars program in Washington, D.C.
Dilafruz Khonikboyeva (Pamiri-American, Global Lead for Aga Khan Foundation, Washington D.C.)
“I continue to be humbled by the insight and personal stories that our Presidents have faced, recognizing better the enormous weight in the face of uncertainty that civil engagement can be. We continue to hear at every module how leaders have put aside their personal views and made decisions that they think were best for the American people; the most memorable is George H.W. Bush’s decision to raise taxes.”
Scholar Jamila Thomas participates in the second session of the 2019 Presidential Leadership Scholars program in College Station, Texas.
Jamila Thomas (African-American, Founder and President of Women Divine, Dallas, Texas)
“Essentially, civic engagement is the process by which governmental entities interact with communities they are designed to serve. Conversely, as a citizen, I think about my responsibility to engage the entities that are supposed to represent my best interest in the community in which I live, work and breathe, and I have come to the realization that my exposure to civic engagement has been superficial at best. I plan to pay closer attention to the candidates that are vying for my vote, read their legislative agendas, and am committed to being a more engaged citizen.”
Scholar Scott Eisner participates in the second session of the 2019 Presidential Leadership Scholars program in College Station, Texas.
Scott Eisner (American, son of a World War II-era Jewish father, President of U.S.-Africa Business Center at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Washington, D.C.)
“Civic engagement, to me, has always meant public service. The ability to put your personal interests off to the side and to represent your fellow citizens in a body of elected officials was always the highest of callings. And to paraphrase President Clinton, we all do better when we work together.”
Scholar Vivian Greentree participates in the second session of the 2019 Presidential Leadership Scholars program in College Station, Texas.
Vivian Greentree (Navy Veteran and Military Spouse, Head of Global Corporate Citizenship at First Data, Washington, D.C.)
“Studies have shown how involvement in community service motivates students to consider underlying political issues and develop habits of long-term civic participation. Ultimately, society is progressed when its members develop and value devotion to caring for and feeling a responsibility towards the well-being of others in their communities—a “patriotism of benevolence,” as some Scholars have termed it. During every PLS module, a Scholar has asked at least one speaker how we, as a country, move forward amidst the challenges that face us and the issues that divide us. I believe a common thread in the answers we’ve heard has been service to others. Service reaffirms our social contracts with each other and each Presidential experience has highlighted this theme to me.”
Scholar Dan Savage participates in the first session of the 2019 Presidential Leadership Scholars program in Washington, D.C.
Dan Savage (Army Veteran, Head of Programs at Sequoia Capital, San Francisco, CA)
“By sending me to West Point, and by accepting me into PLS, my country and its leaders have made significant investments in me. I feel a deep responsibility to ensure that I live a life and follow a career, which provides our country and the world as much value as I have derived from these amazing life experiences. I’ve heard President George W. Bush (no doubt echoing the attitudes of his father as well) say that “life is service to the end.” While my personal journey will likely meander between sectors—public, private, and nonprofit—I always aim to ensure that I am providing value to my community in some way, and that I ensure that as I make professional choices, I align myself with others who seek to make a positive impact on the world around them.”
The PLS program is a testament to
the power of a narrative to bridge ideological divides and gaps to forge new
relationships, new meanings, and new strategic partnerships.
In the words of Scholar Dilafruz Khonikboyeva, “conflict is a perceived divergence of interests.” As observed by the presidential era of George H.W. Bush and his deep commitment to strategic partnerships built on values, conflict is something that can be overcome with tools, resources and a genuine intent to understand each other and explore viable opportunities for collaboration.
Through a personal and a public commitment to collaborate, the Presidential Leadership Scholars are finding their place in the world, each in his or her own way, and with a shared purpose to make the U.S. and the world a better place for all.
