LAS VEGAS – It's customary to announce a guest speaker with a brief biography of past accomplishments, awards and honors – especially when introducing who NACS Chairman Sam Turner called "a true American soldier."
As the final order of business at the NACS Show 2006, General Tommy Franks (Ret.) came on stage as the Closing General Session speaker with a standing ovation and commented that Turner's kind words and introduction "almost makes him feel like going into politics."
Franks provided attendees with a heartfelt, honest and straight-forward perspective on leadership, motivation and issues facing today's workforce on a global scale. He began by noting that enjoys speaking before groups he respects, such as NACS, because of the values the industry possesses: entrepreneurial spirit, vision and leadership. "You are a piece of the rock," he said.
"You represent the breadth of experience, interest and commitment to our world and your country," noted Franks, adding that in today's environment, those values are not always easy to uphold.
"The time you spend with NACS gives you the opportunity to learn from each other and get things done that are good for you," said General Franks, adding, "If it's good for you, then it's good for America."
Franks delved into anecdotes about his "misspent youth" to give Show attendees insight into where he came from, and where he is today. After flunking out of college, he enlisted in the Army for three years – three years that turned into an amazing 38-year journey in the U.S. military.
During his service, Franks noted that he learned about government, communication, technology, and most importantly motivating the "youth cohorts" of the nation – a task that taught him the differences between leading and managing. As a leader, he recognized that it was his responsibility to motivate the troops to make them feel like they own a piece of the action and to get them to do the right thing "when nobody is watching," which he called discipline.
"It's important to satisfy the needs of the people on the ground who get the work done," said Franks.
Following September 11, Franks was tasked with developing a plan of action for the United States. "What are you going to do about it," was the question posed to him by Secretary Rumsfeld. Franks went back to an acronym his father taught him as a kid for "feisty:" focus, energy, integrity, solve the problem, take the blame when no one else will, and yes, I do windows. "There is no job too small," he said.
Today, when asked if the countries of Afghanistan and Iraq will make it, Franks comments that he doesn't know what the future holds, but he does know that today, those countries and their people have a chance to change; to better their lives for the children, grandchildren and their future.
In closing, Franks noted that there are no guarantees for an easy tomorrow, but we have a choice. And as painful as today may be, it will be even worse if we sit around waiting for something bad to happen again on American soil.
"I'm proud of you and what you represent," said Franks, "to our country and the future you provide."
The NACS Show 2007 will take place November 6 to 9 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.