Kristin Woods, co founder of emergingleader.com, recently met Mr. Ray Ackerman, Chairman Emeritus of Ackerman McQueen, who was being inducted into the Academy of Achievement Hall of Fame by Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI). Mr. Ackerman, who was recognized for his vision, diligence and entrepreneurialism, has played a major leadership role in both his business and in the community. He agreed to be interviewed by emergingleader.com to share his philosophy and vision for the leaders of tomorrow.

EmergingLeader: Mr. Ackerman, you have spent a total of 35 years active and reserve duty in the United States Naval Reserve, rising to the rank of Rear Admiral. Recognizing that America's military is noted for developing leaders and leadership traits, what does the military do that makes it unique in the development of leaders?

Ray Ackerman: I don't think of the military as being unique in the development of leaders. Many companies, big and small, are expanding leadership programs to deal with the growth their companies are experiencing. We are seeing advanced educational opportunities available throughout these companies - recognizing the people within their own company and investing in them for the future. But a career of leadership starts with that old cliché "cream rises to the top" rather than from formal training.

In the military you start out in a billet. If you are going to get out of that slot and move forward; you have to be good and have a desire to grow; then you will get promoted and move up the ladder! This is the way it is in the civilian world also.

I believe all people are created equal. Then we are shaped by our environment. As an example, I was raised in an environment where my parents taught me honesty, integrity and the importance of trying to do my very best in everything and their teaching served as the core foundation for my later development. Now, in today's world, this sounds corny, but it is my personal belief. Real leaders evolve from a solid background-----with that, they reach out and take control. These are the people who hold up their hand in the classroom and ask questions and explore concepts. Leadership is much more reaching out and taking control than it is the study of how to be a leader.

EmergingLeader: Has your concept of military leadership, crafted over your long career in the Navy helped you focus on the leadership and management issues that drive the success of your organization?

Ray Ackerman: Yes. I have always made it a point to observe people doing things - learning from them and emulating them if you will. In the military you always have officers who are senior and more experienced than you and I found myself adopting many of their talents. When an officer walks into a room, he or she is immediately in command----and the way they present themselves, how knowledgeable they are on the subject at hand and whether or not they are articulate in their presentation----these are factors that determine the effectiveness of their leadership. You look for these same characteristics in department heads, supervisors, officers of your business. Leaders in the military or business have a commanding presence, one others naturally want to follow.

EmergingLeader: What do you look for in a person that helps you determine they may have leadership potential?

Ray Ackerman: Obviously knowledge and/or talent is important - I then like to see ambition and that they are influential in getting others to work with them. I like to see someone who will put extra time into their work. I like to see someone who is in the office before me and who leaves after me and who will, if necessary, work on the weekends. Leaders are not satisfied with a project until it is the very best they are capable of doing.

Let me illustrate: A presentation to a client is due on Wednesday morning and at five o'clock on a Tuesday afternoon you have a campaign that looks good, you like it, but at 2:00 a.m. Wednesday morning you have a better idea. If you are an outstanding leader, you call the artist and copywriter together, and by 6:00 a.m. you have a different campaign----a better campaign. This is what I look for. A leader who is never satisfied as long as there is time to do better.

EmergingLeader: What leader or leaders have you studied and why?

Ray Ackerman: I can truthfully say I have never consciously gone to work at studying leaders. Instead, I subconsciously evaluate and learn from people in leadership positions at every opportunity. This has been my education in leadership in the military, civilian life and doing pro-bono work.

EmergingLeader: What activities can today's youth engage in that will help them develop leadership skills.

Ray Ackerman: I don't believe there are any better organizations for young people today than the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to help develop leadership skills at an early age. While I am sure there are many other very good organizations, my own personal experience was with the scouts and the experience impacted my life. It reinforced what I had been taught by my parents.

I got into scouting late, and because I was extraordinarily tall for my age----even taller than the scoutmaster----I felt awkward. Because of that, I dropped out of the scouts early only reaching the Star level and I have always regretted not going on to be an Eagle Scout.

During a flood, our scout troop on a pitch black night when the electricity was out, distributed "boiling water" flyers to homes. The next day, we took food in rowboats to people who were cut off from supplies. When young people take action to benefit others, it helps develop leadership skills.

EmergingLeader: You were recently honored by the Sales and Marketing Executives International Academy of Achievement. You have been recognized in the past as well by many other organizations. What key characteristic brings you to the forefront for this recognition? And, what is the lesson to be learned by our younger generation to be "givers" to the community rather than takers in their quest for recognition?

Ray Ackerman: First of all, let me say there is always an element of luck in being selected for an honor like induction into the SMEI Academy of Achievement. There are others as deserving, or more deserving than you being considered so one is always a bit lucky to be selected from worthy contenders. Most of the honors I have received have been for my pro-bono work rather than for my advertising career. I think most of my recognition has come from the fact that I have always been one to reach out to see that a project is completed in the best way possible, to never settle for second best. As a dead-center Leo, I think I have a fairly big ego. I would take charge of projects because I think I felt like I could do them better than others could. Taking charge to do work for which you do not get paid gets noticed.

EmergingLeader: Ray, while you were participating on the panel at the recent Sales & Marketing Executives International Academy of Achievement, you mentioned your concern for our younger generation and how they are not as acclimated to giving back to the community - they appear to be more takers than givers. What is the lesson to be learned for our younger generation?

Ray Ackerman: I think the younger generation needs to observe what is happening with those in their peer groups who have made millions, even billions, because they have been smart enough to take advantage of exploding technology. More and more of these new young rich are deciding that there is more to life than making money. They are taking time from their work to get back to the human race and give away large amounts of money and time to others. Just in the last couple of months, I have observed more and more people are giving back, rather than just being takers.

EmergingLeader: Over the years, you have shared a podium with some of the countries brightest and most successful - What is the common denominator you see among this group of "greats"?

Ray Ackerman: There are certainly common traits of successful people. They are confident, articulate, knowledgeable, ambitious, good listeners, good conversationalists - most often highly intelligent and generally team players. We have always heard "clothes make the man"; not always true because there are empty suits out there. On the other hand, the presentation of a person, "that first impression", is impactful. I call this the front - you have to have the brains, but the front is what first commands attention.

EmergingLeader: There are many books written about leadership - it is one of the most studied issues in both academic circles as well as in business circles. Can a person build these "well researched" characteristics, or do you feel they purely come from within?

Ray Ackerman: There are elements of leadership that are best learned through formal study. I think of such things as negotiating, diplomacy and learning to be a good listener as examples of skills that must be learned.

EmergingLeader: "When you think of your own characteristics as a leader, what would you describe as skills you have gained and what would you consider traits you have always possessed?"

Ray Ackerman: Through the foundation that was set for me by my parents, I have always possessed the desire to succeed. I have always had the "Golden Rule" as guidance - the importance of being honest and acting with integrity. My parents instilled in me a sense of humor. We had a "fun" household and I think I am a relatively charismatic guy. One thing I fight all of the time is my tendency to be a "one man gang". Many leaders frequently have this problem; if they don't have a hands- off management style, they too tend to jump in and not let others find their own way. It is hard for a leader not to jump in and take charge. I seem to have that same inner characteristic - it's been there from the beginning.

EmergingLeader: "Who have been influential people for you in terms of leadership?"

Ray Ackerman: Stanley Draper who ran the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce, nationally known and respected. He could get the most diverse interests of the community working together for the good of all. He would call people at three a.m. and they were glad to hear from him! He was charming, charismatic. We used to say he could charm birds out of trees.

Also Ronald Reagan was an extraordinary leader. And, in the sports world, I think Vince Lombardi was an inspirational leader. I have been influenced through my knowledge of these leaders.

EmergingLeader: Do you see yourself as a huge ego, exhibiting a charismatic style?

Ray Ackerman: As I said before, I am dead center Leo and while I don't study astrology, I read a book about Leo's one time and it hit me right down the middle. I refer to Leo's as being extroverts by day and introverts by night----you know how it is when you wake up in the middle of the night and you are worried about your health, a business decision you made that was wrong, or one you are going to make tomorrow that you are afraid of making. We are scared to death in the middle of the night, get up in the morning, brush our teeth and we are ready to whip our weight in wildcats. So yes, I do I have a pretty stout ego, that goes away at night. And as I said earlier, I think I am reasonably charismatic.

EmergingLeader: "What is the most difficult aspect of being a leader for you?"

Ray Ackerman: The hardest thing is having the tendency to take charge of everything you get exposed to. I have been a chief for so long and in so many ways and I loved the role, but I am moving away from this to being an Indian. People my age need to make room for new chiefs, or as you call it, emerging leaders.

EmergingLeader: If you had a one- hour opportunity to mentor an emerging leader, what would you share in that hour?

Ray Ackerman: Despite what I said earlier about more and more young people starting to give back, the country still is desperate for good leadership-----more people who will work for the common good. In the pro-bono world, the success stories I know of can always be traced back to one person who decided to make it happen. One person who will take charge and lead a Chamber of Commerce project, a United Way project or a drive for the Arts. When a group of people get together and ideas are generated and people get excited about what is possible to accomplish and leave a meeting all pumped up about the possibilities, nothing will happen unless one person in the group decides "I am going to make it happen" and does. My advice for today's leadership student is the next time he or she is in a meeting and everyone is looking at each other to see who will take charge and get the job done, hold up your hand.

EmergingLeader: "What advice do you have for today's leadership student?"

Ray Ackerman: Our country is desperate for good leadership - people who will work for the common good. The success stories I know of can be traced back to one person who can make it happen. It is the "I" - the person. I would encourage a student of leadership to extend their expertise beyond earning a living. To take charge and lead and be involved in the community - because if we don't have an extension of leadership for the common good, eventually the foundation will fail. When a group of people get together and ideas are generated and commitments are made, somebody has to leave the room and say, "I am going to make it happen". That person is the leader - they have the drive to succeed and draw others together.

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