Month: May 2022

The Presidential Leadership Scholars Class of 2022 completed their fifth module in Austin, Texas, last week. This module focused on the leadership skill of working collaboratively to influence and persuade stakeholders through the lens of President Lyndon B. Johnson and his administration. 

Scholars were welcomed by Mark Updegrove, President and CEO of the LBJ Foundation, and Mark Lawrence, Director of the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum, and they also had the opportunity to tour the LBJ Presidential Library to learn more about President Johnson. Special guest Luci Baines Johnson, younger daughter of Lady Bird and President Johnson, spoke of her dad’s authenticity in his approach to building relationships with stakeholders, as well as his courage during a pivotal time in our Nation’s history. “When [President Johnson] had the authority to do the right thing in a way only he could, he said: not only I can, but I must. I wish that more of us in this life could find the courage to seize that moment for the betterment of our neighbors.” 

Bill Moyers, White House Press Secretary under the Johnson Administration, spoke to Scholars about working with President Johnson. He highlighted how careful President Johnson was to truly listen to people without judgment and how to move an agenda forward. He said, “President Johnson knew what his key principles were, so he knew where he was willing and able to compromise—and where he wasn’t.” This allowed him to truly understand others’ motivations when it came time to build a coalition around a key agenda. 

Dr. Michael O’Leary, Teaching Professor of Leadership, Management, and Innovation at Georgetown University, tied these influence and persuasion techniques to skills Scholars can use in their own work focused on making social impact. He led exercises to help Scholars recognize who they needed to influence, what challenges they faced, and how to overcome those challenges to get stakeholders on board.  

Admiral William H. McRaven inspired Scholars through a talk on his own leadership journey. He said, “Every single day you go into work, you have something to prove. And if you ever get to a point where you don’t think you have anything to prove, you better reflect on whether or not you’re in the right job.” He also spoke about the importance of being a positive leader who inspires others.   

The Scholars will travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in June for their final module.  

Today, the Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program opened the application process for its 2023 program cycle. PLS invites a diverse network of established leaders to learn about leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. Applications will remain open through July 10 at midnight.

Each year, a select group of mid-career professionals begin a journey to hone their leadership abilities through interactions with former presidents, key administration officials, leading academics, and business leaders. They gain the insights and skills necessary to work across divides and develop a diverse network that spans traditional geographic, professional, political, and economic boundaries.

Scholars put their learning into action through a personal leadership project, intended to solve a problem or pressing issue in their community, country, or the world. Examples of these Scholar-led efforts include working to deliver caring, easily-accessible, and high-quality health care for all women across the United States; providing employment opportunities and mentorship to veterans; and fighting for change against the generational harms of systemic racism.

“We have a unique opportunity with PLS to inspire and empower leaders from across the country by utilizing the exceptional resources the presidential centers provide,” said Holly Kuzmich, Executive Director at the George W. Bush Institute. “I continue to be encouraged and energized by the Scholars in this program and the lasting impact of their work.”

 “Scholars in the PLS program have a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn, grow, and collaborate to make a positive difference in the world,” said Stephanie S. Streett, Executive Director at the Clinton Foundation. “Working on this program has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career, and with every graduating class, I grow more optimistic about our future for our communities, our country, and our world.”

Alumni of PLS include veterans, educators, physicians, public servants, corporate professionals, and nonprofit leaders at the forefront of their industries who all have one thing in common— their mission to drive social impact. Since PLS launched in 2015, more than 400 Scholars have participated in the program, building a strong, robust, and active alumni network across the United States.

Program tuition, housing, meals, and travel are fully funded during the course sessions in the host cities.

To apply for the 2023 program cycle, visit https://www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org/apply/.

View program photos at the PLS Flickr account.

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