HARRISBURG, Penn.–PSECU President and CEO George Rudolph served as the keynote speaker at Leadership Harriburg Area’s Executive Leadership Series graduation ceremony. Rudolph used his remarks to share a poignant perspective on leadership essentials with the program’s 20 graduates and to offer them advice on applying their ELS knowledge to the workplace, the credit union said.
“To be asked to speak before such an accomplished group of professionals as the ELS program graduates is a real honor,” Rudolph said. “I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to share with them some of the lessons on leadership I’ve picked up over the years. I hope they can build on that learning and it will contribute to their efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of others.”
Rudolph’s speech, presented in front of the event’s nearly 150 attendees, centered on a quote from famed American poet Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
“I try to keep that concept in mind in everything I do,” said Rudolph. “The meaning it holds is so strong, and it can be applied to nearly all parts of our life, including and especially, leadership.”
He continued on to explain how the quote relates to LHA’s key teachings of servant leadership and encouraged graduates to find ways to put the needs of others first – to make them feel good – in their respective workplaces.
“So, how do we make others feel good? How do we make them feel productive and capable, welcome and secure, valued…? Well, you put them first. You serve them. You let them know they are wanted and appreciated. You make sure they have the resources and support they need to grow and succeed. You take actions – large or small – to make things better for them in some way,” Rudolph explained. “That’s what people remember. That’s what’s at the heart of leadership.”