Do You Care to Lead?

Introduction

In a New York Times interview, Charles Schwab CEO, Walt Bettinger, was asked what he learned in college. He chose to share one particular life changing experience that had a huge impact on him as both a businessman and leader.

Bettinger was a senior and preparing for the final exam in his business strategy class. At the time he had a 4.0 grade point average and had every intention of keeping that intact until graduation. He spent hours reviewing, studying, and memorizing formulas so that he could successfully do the calculations for the exam case studies.

As the teacher passed out the test, Bettinger noticed that it was on only one piece of paper. That surprised him because he thought surely it would be longer than that.

Once all students had received their exam, they were instructed to turn it over. Another surprise: both sides of the exam were blank. The professor said, “I've taught you everything I can teach you about business in the last 10 weeks, but the most important message, the most important question, is this: What's the name of the lady who cleans this building?”

Bettinger said, “…that had a powerful impact. It was the only test I ever failed, and I got the ‘B’ I deserved. Her name was Dottie, and I didn't know Dottie. I'd seen her, but I'd never taken the time to ask her name. I've tried to know every Dottie I've worked with ever since. It was a great reminder of what really matters in life, and that you should never lose sight of the people who do ...