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Article published Jun 12, 2003
State Cabinet hears pep talk from Holtz

AMY GEIER EDGAR
Associated Press

COLUMBIA -- He's more accustomed to a playing field than a board room, but success in either arena requires leadership, said University of South Carolina football coach Lou Holtz.
The national championship-winning coach gave a motivational speech Wednesday to Gov. Mark Sanford and his Cabinet.
South Carolina residents and state employees, Holtz said, want to know three things about their government: Can I trust you? Are you committed to excellence? Do you care about me?
If agency heads can answer yes to all three questions, they are doing their job properly, the coach said.
Holtz said he talks to his own team regularly about leadership. He tells them they need each other and as their challenges grow, the need for teamwork escalates.
It's also important for the team to improve each day. A rule in life, he said, is "you're either growing or dying."
He said any team must have a good attitude and share core values.
"We're paid to succeed. We're not paid to try," Holtz said.
Burnie Maybank, Revenue Department chief, asked how agency heads could lead an institution like the General Assembly "who don't need us for anything."
They all share the same purpose -- serving the public, Holtz said.
"You've got to bury any differences because of the greater good of the people of this state who are counting on you," Holtz said.
Sanford heard Holtz speak at the MCI Heritage golf tournament in April and asked him to speak with the Cabinet and share thoughts on leadership, Sanford spokesman Chris Drummond said.
"We have folks that have amazing leadership responsibilities and amazing leadership opportunities," Sanford said of his Cabinet. "We also have a team that's beginning to forge both within their team ... and our greater team of administration, trying to push forward some changes."
Holtz said he was impressed by Sanford's administration.
"They have a vision of what they want to do and they have an energy and enthusiasm to do it. They're not just trying to maintain something, they're really trying to build something."