12 “Wisdoms” That Built a Legacy

On July 9, 2019, H. Ross Perot (Amercian Business Magnate and two time U.S. Presidential Candidate) entered the hallowed halls of history, never to be seen on the world stage again. He was known for his signature look, his Texan twang, and his wildly down-to-earth approach to speaking with people. Even though he is gone, the wisdom he bequeaths to all of us is priceless.  

When Leadership is done well, it produces great projects, great companies, great families, great communities, and even great nations. Every group, regardless of size, needs Leadership. H. Ross Perot built EDS, an incredible IT services company, which I worked for before it was acquired by HP. EDS did not become that way without great leadership.   The foundation of Perot’s leadership is one of the simplest and most profound resources I have ever seen. He called it the “Grassroots Wisdoms”. Of course “Wisdoms” is not a word, but it is the kind of word that only H. Ross could coin and still be taken seriously.  His “Wisdoms” are so strikingly common-sense that you could almost see H. Ross using them to cut through the silliness that often pervade business and life. While I feel tempted to provide my own editorial to each of the following “Wisdoms”, I think I will refrain and allow H. Ross to speak to us directly. I especially like number 10:

1. Be upfront, blunt and candid
2. Leaders are not obligated to perpetuate foolishness
3. Leaders are in charge
4. Leaders must choose which problem to live with
5. Run the company so the best people love it
6. Sit in the grandstand
7. Run it like it’s your company
8. Take out your checkbook
9. No second chance to make a first impression
10. Bad news does not improve with age
11. Get all the liars in the same room
12. If your people are not doing what you want, it’s your fault  
    

H. Ross Perot was a pioneer in the IT field who was known for his deep pragmatism, thoroughness in thinking, and frankly his ability to influence virtually anyone through straight, practical, and unambiguous talk. So many people make themselves out to be something they are not, but not Perot. He was authentic through and through, and his “Grassroots Wisdoms” served as the practical philosophy that allowed him to build a multi-billion dollar empire. “The Grassroots Wisdoms” served him,  and now he lives on in the wisdom he leaves to us.  

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