On Friday, November 15, PSECU President and CEO George Rudolph served as the keynote speaker at Leadership Harrisburg Area’s (LHA’s) Executive Leadership Series (ELS) 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 25-hour Executive Leadership Series is dedicated to connecting class members with local leaders who embody a purpose greater than themselves - to add value to our region,” said LHA President and CEO Una Martone. “As the final speaker in the entire 2019 Executive Leadership Series, PSECU’s President and CEO, George Rudolph, brings the perfect combination of purpose-driven success and significance to complete this important curriculum.”
“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.”
Rudolph was announced as PSECU’s new President and CEO by the credit union’s Board of Directors in January of this year following an extensive, nationwide search. He brought with him more than 28 years of leadership experience from previous executive-level positions with $11 billion Alliant Credit Union and United Airlines.
The ELS program was founded in 1995 as Preview Capital Region, designed for new executives relocating to the area. Popular demand led to a tremendous expansion of the program and it is now open to all executives who care to raise their profile; gain insights to the issues and challenges of the Capital Region; and partake in exclusive tours, networking, business, and community collaborations. ELS is offered each fall for an average of 20 executives who are defined as senior decision makers in their places of business.
LHA’s ELS graduation ceremony was held in the Conference Center at Central Penn College in Summerdale, Pa.
PSECU President and CEO George Rudolph speaks at Leadership Harrisburg Area’s Executive Leadership Series graduation ceremony on November 15.