Neumann seniors learn leadership from Army general

Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Dr. William Held shared with the students five basic tools for leadership that served him well.

BOB REDDY | FC
Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Dr. William Held speaks to St. John Neumann High School students Oct. 6.

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Posted: 10.23.09

NAPLES | Teaching high school seniors valuable lifelong lessons can be challenging in the best of circumstances, so St. John Neumann High School officials decided to invite people who have been leaders in their communities and companies to share what they know for a lecture series on leadership for the senior class.

Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Dr. William Held shared with the students five basic tools for leadership that served him well through his career in the Army and in civilian life.

Held is a U.S. Military Academy graduate who served in Vietnam and was an Airborne Ranger. He is the former head of the Foreign Languages Department at the Military Academy, a former adviser to the Pentagon, a Soldiers Medal recipient and even played basketball for Coach Bobby Knight. He currently travels around the country talking to students about how they can achieve their “star.”

When the students entered the Neumann gymnasium they were each stamped with a red star on their hand. Using the acronym “STARS” he gave the students five words that he said can lead to success in the world, no matter what path they choose: smile, tenacity, adaptability, respect and support.

Held described why each word helped him advance in the Army and how they can help anyone advance in life. “These are simple words, which if applied individually cannot stand up, but by smiling, you can be tenacious. But if you are only tenacious, you won’t be able to adapt to change. If you don’t respect yourself or others, you will never get the support you need to lead.”

To demonstrate his point, Held had students perform an exercise in which they needed to work as a team, in this case to help a teammate do a headstand without their hands.

“I was able to direct the students because I used the five STARS,” Held said. “In a short amount of time, I demonstrated how easy it is to become a leader. Hopefully it will sink in and help them in the future.”

Neumann senior James Maher was impressed with Held and what he shared with the class. “He made a strong argument for leadership that goes beyond whatever else we learn in school. Knowing his background made the difference.”

Neumann Development Director Tricia Sarcone said the school will bring in more speakers throughout the year to coincide with the students’ “Leadership” retreat theme this year. It is hoped that the speakers will provide knowledge to help the students use their gifts to succeed.

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