Dr. Chuck Lein

May 3, 2010 - Summary of Dr. Chuck Lein's visit

The inaugural meeting in the Meet the CEO Series was held in Moody Hall on May 3 and featured Dr. Chuck Lein.  Prior to his recent retirement, Lein had an impressive career as an educator, higher education administrator, college president and most recently, President/CEO of Stuller Inc located in Lafayette.  Stuller Inc, founded in 1970, is a global manufacturer and distributor of jewelry and jewelry-related products with 10 business operations located on three continents.

The meeting featured a number of short conversations on a variety of business topic, including:

    How UL might better connect the faculty with members of the local business community and vice versa.   Such a connection may include writing a check and/or the gift of one’s time.  Lein provided an example of his experience in “shadowing” a business leader during his time in higher education and the important insight he obtained from such an exchange.
    The nature of funding for higher education is beginning to change dramatically with unique challenges in difficult economic conditions.  Lein commented that in higher education, private institutions now lean on support from public funds and public institutions lean on support from private funds.
    Lein stressed the importance of cultivating, recognizing and capitalizing on “islands of excellence” in an organization no matter the size, scope or industry.  He also reminded the group that we are all in the people business regardless of the industry.
    People like to be associated with winners and so we should seek out the winners in our community.  Winners are in all corners of our community and can be at any level of an organization.
    In contrast, Lein said that over his 30+ years of managing people he learned that 20% of the people will give you 80% of the problems in an organization.  Various ways to deal creatively and constructively with those in the 20% group were mentioned.
    Finally, Lein noted the biggest challenge for CEOs now and into the future is the vast amount of information available to them.  This “data deluge” will require that CEOs seek and fine effective ways to be able to understand and use the information that the data provides.  Such easy availability of data opens a world of possibilities.

Summary Points submitted by:  Dr. Lise Anne D. Slatten, Assistant Professor of Management