Dear Doctor:
I had the honor of attending the presidential inauguration ceremony for Guy Riekeman at Life University last week, and as expected, there was a tone of cautious optimism, with the new administration facing the challenge of rebuilding what was once the largest chiropractic school.
Riekeman’s style of leadership is consistent with that of other charismatic leaders – set the vision, inspire the constituency, and strive to construct a team that can exemplify the values and carry out the mission. He should be able to do this effectively at Life, with a clear path toward his objectives, and apparent cooperation from the powers that be.
Unlike his task at Palmer, where he had such a firmly established tradition to build on, Life poses problems that are more immediate and critical – financial issues, public relations issues, accreditation issues, political issues that complicate an already difficult job. It will take all of his skill as a communicator to address these complexities, and all of his ability as a motivator to convince legislators, donors and students that Life is alive and well and ready to handle whatever adversities arise, on its way back to prominence.
In a day gone by, it would have been solely up to some icon or another to seize such a responsibility and make things happen – but in today’s chiropractic, it is all too evident that a team effort is required. While someone must stand forward as a figurehead, it will take a concerted effort of many to put Life, and for that matter chiropractic, in its rightful place. Guy seems to understand this, and to be willing to act on it.
The day of the hero in the white hat is passing – singular role models are useful for marketing, but only teamwork, solidarity and passion from many individual leaders will position us as primary agents of the new wellness lifestyle. Let’s look for opportunities to work together instead of nitpicking our differences, and support each other in bringing chiropractic to the health care consumers who so desperately need and want it.
Dennis Perman DC, for The Masters Circle
PS Our third quarter seminar, “Success Systems That Never Fail,” rocked the house for 600 chiropractors and CA’s in Chicago, from the wit and wisdom of Dr. Danny Drubin’s ironclad formula for creating a million dollar practice, to the coolest, highest tech, yet most user friendly documentation system ever, by Dr. Maurice Pisciottano -- add in Dr. Peter Gratale’s PowerCentering Experience, specialized staff training, and so much more, and you’ve got a weekend you can’t afford to miss! This program will be presented only two more times – in LA, August 6-7, and in New Jersey, August 27-28. To register, please call 800-451-4514, or visit www.themasterscircle.com.
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