Leadership is more than just a title. It is about setting an example for others to follow. Joe Franzese, a U.S. veteran and DePaul alumnus learned what it means to be a leader when he served in the Marine Corps.
Franzese talked about his leadership experience to DePaul students and other guests at “Inspiring Voices,” a leadership presentation series co-sponsored by Vincent on Leadership: The Hay Project and the Student Leadership Institute last Wednesday.
Franzese currently works as a Warrior to Work specialist with the Wounded Warrior Project, and he helps physically and mentally injured veterans successfully transition into the civilian workforce.
“Leadership is not easy,” Franzese said. “It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of dedication, and it is a constant learning experience through trial and error and making mistakes.”
Franzese said that being a leader is not about making all the right moves or having the 4.0 GPA. Rather, leading “is about setting the right example for others to emulate by taking initiative and respecting others and their differences.”
Franzese is convinced that another important principle of being a leader is doing what is necessary to get a job done. “It takes a lot of commitment,” he said.
In addition, improvising for the unexpected and being sincere is another facet of being a leader.
“Open the door for somebody, thank people, greet people,” Franzese said. “It leads to a sense of community and everything you do has an impact on the larger scheme of things.”
The one thing that Franzese encountered and did not like in the Marine Corps is when people did not take the time to listen to each other.
“When you’re put into a position of being a leader, take the time to listen to the people you’re work with; be open to change,” Franzese said.
“Joe summarized many of the key values and attitudes of successful Vincentian leaders,” Patricia Bombard, the director of DePaul’s Vincent on Leadership: The Hay Project, said. “These include respect for every person, listening to the opinions of everyone, taking initiative, and being sincere.”
Students had many takeaways from Franzese’s Leadership in Action presentation.
“I found it most beneficial that he talked about his individual leadership traits, and he talked about how he brought humor into how he leads,” Gary Scott, a DePaul graduate student majoring in public administration, said. “I will try to figure out what qualities of leadership I have or I need to build on,” added Scott.
Fangfang Li, a graduate accounting student, learned that leadership is about responsibility and how to manage people around you and get the work done.
“I liked that he pointed out that leadership is more about people around you, that you need to take care of them,” Li said.