Dear ladies and gentlemen! I am deeply honored to have been selected as the laureate to accept the Emerging Leaders TM award. I am one of the managers who have made their marks in Minnesota business. I am sincerely grateful for the recognition from the program sponsored by MDA Leadership Consulting Featured in the Twin Cities Business Monthly magazine which initiated the whole event. I should admit I was a bit stunned when I learned about my nomination. Without false modesty, I feel that other managers are also worthy of this reward. However, I realize that it can’t be divided into five, so again I want to express my gratitude to you. I am very pleased to receive this award. I am very pleased also because it was one of my child dreams to stand in front of many people accepting an award recognizing my qualities and achievements. So, today you are present at the fulfillment of my dream. I can’t express my excitement and inspiration with this award. Then, in the years of my unclouded childhood I couldn’t imagine how interesting my life would be. Of course, I faced a lot of challenges but I succeeded to overcome them and gained outstanding experience. Before entering the business sphere, I served in the U.S. Army. During that time I patrolled the east-west Germanboarder as Cavalry Scout until the wall came down. I also served in Operation Desert Storm. Those days are in the past but something invaluable remains with me. It is my character which was built up then. I had to overcome professional difficulties and personal storms of life, but I succeeded. I started my career as a pressman, and then worked my way to a plant manager that oversees two manufacturing operations. I think this is real success. And today’s award is the symbol of that success. I believe that six qualities which brought me here tonight were gained in the days of my youth. These qualities include professionalism, the demonstration of potential and capacity to grow under corresponding circumstances. I also tried to create the climate in which people are motivated to excel, so that they were engaged into work and contributed their best. Thus, I focused on the teamwork. I taught others to be selfless in achieving goals that will benefit the whole organization, without waiting for reward. But first I demonstrated this on my personal example. I was an intentional learner, who concentrated on self-improvement and encouraged it in others. I taught my employees to be courageous in taking well-reasoned risks and embracing productive conflict, showing good judgment in gathering input and investigating the company’s strategic goals. And certainly, I followed my instructions as well. But I should tell you that throughout my life I always meet people who are so inspired, talented or skilled that I can take something from them (of course, with their permission). I am always opened to new initiatives, new people, and new cooperation. I think it is the pledge of successful performance today, because the world is changing so rapidly that we can fail to keep abreast. Active position is beneficial today. So, guided by this principle I always take the best qualities of my employees, friends and family, apply them to my professional life and so you can see me here. Of course, it is a joke, but I do learn from my environment. People around are far cleverer than some might think. You only have to listen and watch attentively. I want to express my gratitude to my family, which supported me in all my undertakings, XYZ Company and everyone I work with everyday to make our operation successful. I am very pleased to have received this award. Thank for your choice and for your trust in me. I will do my best to justify your trust and contribute to Minnesota business with the products and services of our company. Thank you!
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