The Leadership Attributes of Lee Iacocca

The Leadership Attributes of Lee Iacocca

Business 220

Bennie Felts

Malcolm Davis

February 18th 2005

In this paper, I would like to introduce some of the leadership attributes that have been instrumental in making Mr. Iacocca a successful leader. A lot of people wish that he had taken a leap into the political arena. A man of his unique leadership skills would make for a great politician. From Ford and Chrysler, to his current adventure the E-bike project Lee has always been an innovator. First, I think that it is essential to take a short look at the early life of Lee.

Lido Anthony Iacocca was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1924. His parents were Italian immigrants who, by example, they taught the young Iacocca the values of hard work and perseverance. His family had to work hard and make sacrifices to make a living. Even as a boy, Iacocca earned his own spending money as he went through his school years.

Lee

Lee Vining, California

1993-1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee photographed in Alex...

He continued to work and help support himself as a student at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. After he graduated from Lehigh, Lido went on to earn a master's degree in engineering from Princeton University. In that same year that he graduated from Princeton, Iacocca accepted a job with Ford Motor Company. It was during this time period that Lido Anthony Iacocca decided to change his name to a more common one. From that time he has been known as Lee Iacocca.

Lee's parents worked hard to provide for their family. His father, Nicola believed in America. Nicola felt in America you had the freedom to become anything you wanted to be if you were willing to work hard for it, and he did just that. He opened a hot dog stand called the Orpheum Wiener House,