COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - He's more accustomed to a playing
field than a board room, but success in either arena requires
leadership, said South Carolina football coach Lou Holtz.
The national championship-winning coach gave a motivational
speech Wednesday morning to Gov. Mark Sanford and his Cabinet.
South Carolina residents and state employees 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, Holtz 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."
A team must have a good attitude and share core values, he said.
And it's important to remember, "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."
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/cornerspacerleft.gif){kind=spacer}
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/cornerspacer.gif){kind=spacer}
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/heraldonlinelogo.gif)
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/realcitieslogo.gif)
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/02.gif){kind=small}
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/spacer.gif){kind=spacer}
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/endspacer.gif){kind=spacer}
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/topnavigation.gif){kind=small}
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/square_logonew.gif)
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/mcclatchy_logo_small.gif){kind=logo}
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/printer.gif)
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/envelope.gif)
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/speakout.gif)
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/newspaper.gif)
 Holtz gives motivational speech to gov, cabinet_files/greatshopping.gif)