Shelton forum will stress leadership
Values-based leadership is in crisis. It doesn’t take too many scrolls down our local and national news feeds to find a world where heroes are truly unsung and often vanity, greed and scandal overshadow the hard work and sacrifice so many of us give every day.
We live world desperately in need of integrity, service, responsibility.
Enter Gen. Hugh Shelton.
Upon retirement and returning to North Carolina, Gen. Shelton didn’t feel his work was done. Sixteen years ago, Shelton – along with a small group of longtime friends and family – formed The Gen. Henry Hugh Shelton Leadership Center. It’s mission: To inspire, educate and develop values-based leaders committed to personal integrity, professional ethics and selfless service. Its home: right here in Raleigh at Centennial Campus.
Leaders both current and future will come together Nov. 3 for the 16th annual Shelton Leadership Forum, an all-day event featuring Gen. Shelton and keynote addresses by three inspiring American athletes, former N.C. State basketball player Thurl Bailey, four-time Super Bowl winner Rocky Bleier and Paralympic gold medalist Mallory Weggemann. In its history, the forum has sent thousands of current and future leaders back into their communities, businesses, schools and families armed with the potency of value-based leadership.
The center embraces a multi-generational approach to leadership training, with leadership development ranging from high school through college and reaching industry executives as well. Current and future leaders can find mentoring and values honing through the center’s many events and programs.
An Edgecombe County native and alumnus of N.C. State University, Gen. Shelton gave his country 38 years of service and in 1997 became the highest ranking military officer in America as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Clinton.
“I remain firmly convinced that in a volatile and chaotic world, our best chance for continued success is values-based leadership at all levels,” Shelton said. “The cornerstones of values-based leadership revolve around honesty, integrity, diversity, social responsibility and compassion. Whether you are a high school student, a college student, or someone in the workforce, these cornerstones are a foundation for our nation’s progress.”
For both the general and me, developing values-based leaders is needed now more than ever.
Bob Etheridge is the former N.C. superintendent of public instruction and former U.S. Rep. for North Carolina’s 2nd District.
This story was originally published November 1, 2017 at 11:20 AM with the headline "Shelton forum will stress leadership."