A Nostalgic Touch
Modesty, Humility, and What We Can
Learn from Our Senior Attorneys
By Matthew D. Keenan, Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP, Kansas City, Mo., [email protected]
J
im Collins, in his best-selling book, “Good to Great,”
And on Tuesday, April 10 it happened.
identifies leadership styles that typify the most successful
The honorees were 14 attorneys and one spouse: Russel N.
corporate leaders in America. One trait that Collins de- Barrett, Vincent L. Bogart, Aubrey J. Bradley Jr., Ralph R.
scribes caught some off-guard – humility. Collins wrote Brock, Donald B. Clark, Bruce Fitts, Wilbur D. Geeding,
that the most effective leaders had personal qualities de- Jack Glaves, J. Francis Hesse, Albert L. Kamas, Ernest McRae,
scribed as “modest, shy, quiet, self-effacing, understated, and Arnold C. Nye, Richard Render, and Hon. Keith Sanborn
humbled.”
and his wife, Wanda.
Collin’s finding was shared by another well-known expert
These men included some who joined the services as young
on leadership – Bill Taylor. Taylor wrote, “Practically Radical: as 17 (Arnold Nye), were awarded the Purple Heart (Aubrey
Not So Crazy Ways
Bradley and Francis
To Transform Your
Hesse), were one of
Company, Shake Up
the first Americans
Your Industry, and
to Hiroshima after
Challenge Yourself.”
the atomic bomb
Taylor profiled an
(Bruce Fitts). OthIBM executive who
ers were interroused the term “humgated as a prisoner
bitious” to describe
of war (Bradley and
her style – a blend
Hesse). Al Kamas
of humility and
went to Iwo Jima
ambition.
with the Marines,
While
Collins’
and Ernest McRae
and Taylor’s work
piloted B-24s in the
is drawn from the
South Pacific. Rick
business world, their
Render was a POW
findings are never- Front row (l-r): Hon. Keith Sanborn, J. Francis Hesse, Bruce Fitts, and Wilbur Geeding. Back row at
Nuremberg,
theless instructive (l-r): Wanda Sanborn, Albert Kamas, Ralph Brock, Donald Clark, Aubrey Bradley, Arnold Nye,
and Keith Sanborn
for our profession. and Jack Glaves.
served in the Navy
There can be little doubt that the most successful lawyers share where he met his wife, who was also at the Navy base.
those same qualities. Whether it’s building a law firm, working
At the conclusion of the luncheon we asked them – how did
to make the profession better, wining clients, or gaining the your military experience help make you a better attorney? The
trust of a jury, all of us are attracted to those personalities who responses were insightful and inspirational – and all had one
deflect credit and share successes with other team members.
thing in common – diminishing what they did for our country.
Humility is found in our military veterans. Tom Brokaw’s
“This was a one-of-a-kind program that our members treabook, “The Greatest Generation,” describes how this genera- sured. We were humbled, and honored, and awed by their
tion felt they were not owed anything for their contributions. presence. I think we all hung on every word these men spoke.
And they made the most of what little they had. In my own I keep thinking ‘what if we had never had this event?’ We
fact gathering with our KBA veterans, I was reminded of this would have never known these stories,” said Jennifer Magana.
trait – my question – “are you a veteran, and if so, explain” WBA Executive Director Karin Kirk added this: “The WBA
typically earned a brief reply – “Yes. Navy. Injured, POW.” was thrilled and honored to be able to identify 15 World War
A more extensive follow-up would reveal significant military II veterans within our legal community and to have 11 of
service, distinctions, awards. Another example – when pressed them as our guests at the luncheon on April 10. Over 125
for photographs of their service – many had none. Those who attorneys attended and joined in recognizing the veterans for
eventually found a photograph – it was not something taken their service and thanking them for their sacrifices. We owe all
at a photo studio. Getting a glamour shot while posing in of our veterans a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.”
uniform wasn’t a priority. Beating the Nazis? Uh, yes.
Indeed. n
Last month the Wichita Bar Association members had the
occasion to see first-hand all these truisms. With the assistance About the Author
of Wichita attorney Jennifer Magana and Karin Kirk, execuMatthew Keenan has practiced with Shook, Hardy & Bacon
tive director of the WBA, the bar scheduled a luncheon to
since 1985. He may be reached at [email protected].
honor those living veterans who were able to attend.
www.ksbar.org
The Journal of the Kansas Bar Association | May 2012 11