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No matter what one may think of the Wal-Mart empire, good bad or indifferent, its founder Sam Walton was a great man and is still a great example of a leader. This man who was born March 29, 1918 and died April 5 of 1992 leaves us with a legacy of an example of how we too can be a leader and perhaps present to the world something of value as he has.
Sam attended the University of Missouri and was elected the senior class president. But like most people who get ahead in life this person worked hard to pay his tuition bill. WHILE ATTENDING SCHOOL: He worked as a lifeguard, a waiter; he also maintained a newspaper delivery route of 160 customers. Then after he graduated he wanted to attend the Wharton school of business but soon he found that he was not able to afford that. But that did not stop him. He took a job as a manager trainee at J.C. Penney. Today, the Walton College of business at the University of Arkansas bears his name.
All of this is good. But what I get from all of this is that despite having billions, Sam Walton still drove a pickup truck and you wore clothes he bought from his own discount store, Wal-Mart. So let me expound on a couple of things, he remained humble and did not require flashy things to let the world know that he had money. You will find that in life typically people who have money don't really have to prove anything by showing off their worldly possessions. And people who don't have money, have to or choose to show off whatever nice things they have. Now either way it doesn't matter because again if you're letting people see that you have nice things so that they too know that they can do what it takes to attain and have nice things, that’s good. Because he did not have to prove anything, he was happy to drive his old truck. My point is, do not fool yourself. Know who you are.
Secondly, Sam Walton bought from his own business. This may sound crazy, but many business owners who I know that are involved in a business, a multilevel type business, etc. sometimes they do not buy from their own store. I know this is crazy as I've mentioned, but it happens. Sam Walton did not go to a competitor's place of business to purchase things. So obviously if you are involved in a business that sells certain items, believe in yourself, believe in your business, and purchase things from your store.
Finally, I currently drive an older model pickup. While I'm driving it, it is a reminder to me that I do not need to show off worldly possessions, unless I choose to. Also it reminds me of this example of a great business person who first worked hard all of his life but had a goal in mind of helping others and was rewarded for it. And we as a society reaped the benefits of the Wal-Mart stores worldwide. I've not met Sam Walton but we can now stand on his shoulders and build on what we can learn.
I would encourage you to find books about Sam Walton, read them, study them, and emulate the good things about this man. You can purchase books about Sam Walton to the right of your screen.
Make it a great day and best of success!
Ter Scott!
Capital isn't scarce; vision is. Sam Walton
Each Wal-Mart store should reflect the values of its customers and support the vision they hold for their community. Sam Walton
High expectations are the key to everything. Sam Walton
I had to pick myself up and get on with it, do it all over again, only even better this time. Sam Walton
I have always been driven to buck the system, to innovate, to take things beyond where they've been. Sam Walton
Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish. Sam Walton
There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else. Sam Walton
We let folks know we're interested in them and that they're vital to us. cause they are. Sam Walton
We're all working together; that's the secret. Sam Walton
Each Wal-Mart store should reflect the values of its customers and support the vision they hold for their community. Sam Walton
High expectations are the key to everything. Sam Walton
I had to pick myself up and get on with it, do it all over again, only even better this time. Sam Walton
I have always been driven to buck the system, to innovate, to take things beyond where they've been. Sam Walton
Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish. Sam Walton
There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else. Sam Walton
We let folks know we're interested in them and that they're vital to us. cause they are. Sam Walton
We're all working together; that's the secret. Sam Walton
1. You don't hear too much of a successful person, living an everyday normal life, like not showing their money.
ReplyDelete2. Leadership to me is someone who is accessible to others, who teaches them, who shares this information.
3. Success to me is getting ahead in life, going to school, getting degrees, learning more about life.
1.The article was of Sam Walton the co-founder of WalMart and how he was just a simple humble man, who didn't flash his wealth.
ReplyDelete2. Leadership to me means its someone you can trust, help you with your success, someone you can alway count on.
3. Success is reaching your goals, having a happy family. Humility and owing things comes from not bragging about what you got but knowing you worked hard for what you got.
1.I like the fact that as founder of Wal-Mart he remained true to the store and only shopped there and not at competitors. He remained loyal to his stores. I also liked the fact he didn't have to flash his wealth around while so many do and that he drove a pick-up truck.
ReplyDelete2. What leadership means to me is being able to give direction but also being able to receive feedback good or bad. So many leaders today are good about giving’s orders but never want to listen to what their employees might have to say in that it might benefit their company. I ran across this several times and was quite frustrated that I was not being heard. To be a good leader you have to be someone that your employees trust and would follow your every order knowing that you put them first and would never jeopardize their rights or position.
3. To me success is when you have obtained your goals you set for yourself, humility is something learned and gained from knowing when to be modest and not being arrogant or presumptuous in thinking everyone has the same thing or can obtain such, and owning I believe we all brag a little if we just bought something new and had worked really hard for it. I know that some people have no humility in bragging about what they own and this is wrong but I don't find it horrible to say; oh! I just bought a new TV we have been saving forever for this model and finally were able to buy it.
The experience of not being wealthy and working hard for a goal in his younger years, gave Sam Walton the valuable benefit of seeing a need for affordable products and of relating to his market.
ReplyDeleteGood leadership is not dictating rules but rather leading by example. It is a much more successful way because you show credibility and empathy. Success comes easier if you "sell" something you believe in and put your money where your mouth is.
Showing humility tells the world where your priorities really are. Someone who is a show off just puts people off and that person doesn't achieve their goal of impressing people.
Owning lots of things becomes more of a burden than benefit. As my kids are now leaving home, I'm really realizing that. Getting rid of stuff is very freeing and you can focus on the more important things in life like Sam Walton seems to have done.
Hello. This is a test to first see if this is working correctly, and to see everyone's post! Great job all! Ter
ReplyDelete1. I think the secret of Sam Walton’s success was that he related to his market due to his modest, hard-working background. The fact that he bought from his own stores showed customers that he believed in his products and so could they.
ReplyDelete2. Good leadership involves working with people as a team and letting everyone know they are valuable. Then employees take pride in their work and the company. They then feel more of a responsibility to do a good job.
3. Sam Walton seems to have known what real success is – taking pride in your work and helping people – not showing off wealth. The fact that he showed such humility made employees and customers alike feel that he was “one of them” and could be trusted.
As my kids are leaving home, I really want less and less things. They become more of a burden than a benefit. Sam Walton seemed to understand that from early on and knew what was really valuable in life.
I liked reading this article. I knew some about Sam Walton but after reading this I think he is a very interesting man.
ReplyDeleteMy definition of leadership is someone who takes charge and makes things happen no matter what obstacle is put in front of them.
I think being successful is great, but showing humility by not showing off your possessions really makes a great person. You don't have to have possessions to be successful.
This article about Sam Walton was interesting to me. I liked the fact that Mr. Walton wasn't just worried about "making money" and flaunting his success. He actually cared about what he was doing and stood behind his company, he believed in himself.
ReplyDeleteI think that leadership is when you are able to lead by example. To be able to not only give direction but to also follow your own directions is a big plus.
If you are able to get through any form of humility is a success in it's self. We are all faced with humility at one time or another in our lives. To not act on it in a negative way and learn from it helps us grow into a stronger person. I think it is great if you can be successful in the path you are on in life and to be able to purchase what you would like to show your success. When you flaunt your possesions and don't really care about how you are "making", that is when I don't believe you are successful.
Sam Walton's vision changed the world of retail. One thing he was known for was that a customer could return anything, even at his own expense. Wal-mart and Sam's Club are still that way today. My definition of leadership is someone who has a vision and then inspires and motivates others to help achieve that vision. Good leaders build people up, recognize and utilize their strengths while maintaining overall integrity. Fo me, money doesn' mean you are successful. You certainly need money to live. However, compassion, empathy, sympathy,and generosity are qualities that I think make up a successful person.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Sam Walton worked and paid his way through school on his own. In this day and age, it's nice to read about someone who had a wealth of money that didn't feel the need to flaunt it. My definition of leadership is having confidence, self-awareness, and staying true to your moral and ethical code. I think by simply creating your own path and staying true to it will lead people (whether its one person or thousands). My thoughts on success are simply that you are successful when you work hard, lead by example, and don't change who you are at the core, you have achieved success. I guess I don't define it by how much money a person has or makes. Humility and owning what happens to you in your life should come with the knowledge that you can be successful and still have flaws.
ReplyDeleteKaty B
I knew quite a bit of these facts about Mr. Walton as I studied him in my economics class in high school. His willingness to juggle full-time schooling with multiple jobs is very commendable. He was a fascinating man with a vision and plenty of ambition. I believe that he built the foundation for a retail empire that he could have been proud of, but I don't think he would be if he saw how WalMart has turned out.
ReplyDeleteMy definition of leadership is having the ability to be driven but still stay true to your beliefs. Being able to climb the "ladder" without stepping on people as you climb is very important, rather helping those people climb with you.
My thoughts on success, humility, and owning things are varied. I don't really put much stock in owning a lot of things. I'm not a very material person. I would rather buy something for my son than buy something for myself. I feel that I am successful every day because I set reasonable goals for myself. I try to remain humble about my successes so that they don't "go to my head" and I lose my humility.
I enjoyed reading that Sam Walton drove a pick up truck and shopped at his own store. It is truly a gift to remain humble and still worked hard to help others.
ReplyDeleteMy definition of leadership is someone who can guide or lead others and do it in a way that is honorable and out of genuine care for others.
I think success comes from within, not by “getting” things. For instance, I will be successful at completing my college classes, not because I will get a piece of paper at the end that says I finished, but because I was able to have the courage to go back to school when I needed to and remain disciplined to finish, even when it was hard to do.
Humility is a very important characteristic that everyone should have and evaluate from time to time. All of us are important and we need to respect ourselves and each other.
I think that in this materialistic society, there are many views about how to take care of things you own. Many people do not seem to value the things they have and just want more. I personally do not want more things, I want the things I have and take care of them.
I think the article of Sam Walton was interesting, it was amazing that he had three jobs while attending school.I really liked how he drove a pick up truck, and showed that he didn't care what other people thought.
ReplyDeleteMy definition of Leadership is someone who can lead others well, but still care alot for the people they are leading.
My thought of success is about having a great accomplishment in life.
I think humility is like being embarassed of yourself or of someone. Humility is never something I like to feel.
To me owning things is about haveing things more closer to your heart or family orientated. Buying things at a store isn't as important than getting something hand made out of wood from my grandpa.
This is a very inspiring story you shared. It is wonderful to hear of a great success that remained true to who he was rather than getting caught up in the materialistic show of success.
ReplyDeleteI beleive leadership is the ability to selflessly and postively guide others in reaching a common goal.
I feel success is only obtained when it is earned...through dedication, self-sacrifice and hard work.
To me, humility is the ability to be proud and confident without being arrogant. To treat others respectfully and admit when in the wrong.
We have evolved into a very materialistic society. We are judged not for the person we are or the morals and values we hold, but for the possessions we show. I do not feel that owning things makes a person happy. These things merely temporarily fill a void; a void that can never be filled by possessions.
Corissa N.
1. I really liked that he didn't flash his money around.
ReplyDelete2. To me leadership is when you can take any thought and turn it into something great.
3. My thoughts about success are if you are happy in your life then you have succeeded. I don't believe that I have to have the best of everything and I don't feel the need to show off what I do have.