Leaders Matter

Reprint from MyOrange Update by Linda Gallicchio: http://www.myorangeupdate.com/2012/08/leaders-matter/#more-36662



Linda Gallicchio



Leaders matter. Their actions count – more than words. That’s why I am grateful for the kind of leaders we have in Clemson Athletics. In a variety of instances by a number of coaches and administrators, their actions have supported the Rutland Institute for Ethics.

That fact is important to an institute that continually strives to be recognized, appreciated and supported for seeking to “nurture an ethical environment across various life communities.” Terry Don Phillips didn’t have to agree to serve as an ex-officio on the Rutland Advisory Board. But he did. And over its 10+-year history he came to as many of the meetings as he was able to make.  He also went out of his way to welcome a new staff member of the team at an October 2007 meeting. Terry Don didn’t have to personally financially support the institute, but he did, as a founding member of the Rutland Ethics Alliance in 2004. And he continued to make other contributions for membership in the alliance. In 2008 when the Orange Wave Ethics Bowl Team won the National Championship, Terry Don quietly helped assure the opportunity for the team to get recognition at the half-time program of one of the football games.

Earlier in 2012, as we coordinated a 10^th anniversary gala for the Rutland Institute for Ethics, Terry Don committed Clemson Athletics/IPTAY to a bronze level sponsorship. A lot of actions. Not many words. Not a doubt about his commitment to integrity and ethics. For all these things, the institute considers Terry Don an advocate and friend. We wish him a happy and healthy retirement when he makes that transition. We had many other friends and well-wishers from Clemson Athletics/IPTAY who attended our tenth anniversary gala – coaches, administrators and student athletes alike.  It meant a lot to us, and to our other guests who had the opportunity to speak with them.

One of my favorite examples of leadership in Clemson Athletics occurred back in 2010 while I worked with Ashley Cowden and the Technical Writing class and the Client-Based Program to assist non-profits. Ashley directs the program and had one of her classes work with me and the Anderson 5 Career Campus’ Drama Class to create a DVD on the ethical challenges that high schoolers routinely face. Her class conducted focus groups to determine the main challenges. They collaborated on scripts and worked diligently with the students. They went to great lengths to acquire some sponsorships to organize a “premier party” and other things to make the project stand out. One of Ashley’s students was a student athlete on the football team. He approached Coach Swinney to ask if Coach would say a few words in introduction about the importance of integrity and ethics. Coach didn’t hesitate and the student taped a several minute straight from the heart message. Maybe I shouldn’t be telling this story because it wasn’t an “official” video. It isn’t perfectly produced. It is honest and authentic. It can still be viewed on our website under “Featured Videos.” As a matter of fact, it is there along with a new introductory message from President Barker. Please check them out sometime: www.clemson.edu/ethics/RIE

Having the chance to submit this article was a tremendous opportunity to access an audience that likely has little knowledge of the Rutland Institute for Ethics and our Rutland Ethics Alliance. Please check us out. If you are a business owner or executive who wants to give a strong message about your values and leadership, give some serious consideration to joining the Alliance!

About the author:

Linda Gallicchio is the associate director for outreach for the Rutland Institute for Ethics at Clemson University. Her current imperative is to grow the Rutland Ethics Alliance as a membership arm of the institute, bringing in contributions to fund programs, events and operations.
Active in service to her community, Linda is

• President of the Rotary Club of Anderson,
• Member of the District 7750 Scholarship committee,
• Member of the Women’s Leadership Council of the United Way of Anderson County,
• Board member of AlignSC (the Anderson Area Business and Education Alliance)

She received her MBA, with distinction, from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Linda has more than 22 years of experience in managerial and executive roles across a variety of industries in five states. Along with husband Vince and two daughters, she is happy to call Upstate SC “home” since 2006.