TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Concise Lesson In Leadership

ADVERTISEMENT

By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: February 21, 2009

DADE CITY - Anyone can become a leader.

And one Pasco High School teacher says he can tell you what you need to know in about 30 minutes.
Lonnie Smith just published "Lifelong Lessons on Leadership," which offers eight critical lessons in less than 50 pages and about 5,000 words.

"It could be read in about a half-hour," he said.

Smith's credentials include a doctorate in education, more than 20 years as a teacher and administrator, and a 33-year stint in the Air Force.

Now, he's sharing those lessons, and they seem to be in demand: There's a waiting list for his classes.

"He has a lot of life lessons to share with the kids, and by sharing real-life experiences he makes learning real for them," said Pasco High Principal Patrick Reedy. "He makes that connection with kids, teaching them that there is a purpose to what they're learning because it can help them down the road."

"As I get older, I want to put in print things I've learned along the way," Smith said.

Smith encourages would-be leaders to be persistent but not stubborn, to be flexible and to give credit where credit is due. Each of his eight leadership lessons ends with a bottom-line statement, such as, "Bending is better than breaking."

He says people of all ages can learn from those concepts, whether they're students getting their feet wet in student government, middle managers or chief executive officers of major companies.

Along with teaching psychology, sociology and American history, Smith works with Pasco High School's student government. Several of his students have bought his book and asked for his autograph, he said.

"The main thing about the book is that it's succinct and to the point, and points out things that will get positive results in life," Reedy said. "It's down-to-earth, and he brings in the leadership experience he has learned through his education career and the military."

Aside from inspiring leaders, Smith hopes people find his book entertaining.

"I wrote this book to teach and to entertain," he said. "If they learn from this, if I've put a smile on their face, that's my goal."

For information on Smith's book, go to www.publishamerica.com or www.amazon.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT