Daniel Roberts on Leadership

1. What do you think are the three most important characteristics or qualities for a globally minded, culturally component leader in the 21st century? Please explain why you have selected these three.
2. What is your own leadership story? Please write a brief biographical blurb (no more than 350 words) that includes your vision of leadership for yourself and how you have arrived to the point of where you are today as a leader (or emerging leader).

What I believe to be the most important characteristics for a global leader may be very different from what actually is important in terms of being successful. Successful companies seem to all have insight into accessibility, marketing, and cost saving. These are not however qualities I view as important. The three characteristics I believe are most important are altruism, environmental competency, and customer/staff appreciation. One of the most influential assignments in this course for me was the case study on Tom's of Maine. Tom Chappell exemplified to me what a CEO should be and how they should act. I'm one of those people who believe that all people are inherently good. Acting with altruism means that a company exists not for profits but for making the world better. If a company is only interested in their own success the environment around them will suffer and their product will be limited. Consider a bar that serves its customers without considering the health affects on their customers. They may turn a good profit but the bar may attract a rowdy crowd. Understanding the environmental effects of a company similarly plays a part in a company's ability to continue operating. If a company wrecks the environment by using its resources the company will have little to produce. A company that understands their your customers and staff ensures that you can keep operating with the best talent and an appreciative market. 

Daniel Roberts after the 2016 election became increasingly involved in his community and local politics. His career focus remained on homeless services co-leading a program to decrease hospitalization rates among the homeless. His program was highly successful. Outside of work he dedicated much of his time to local politics becoming the chair of the disability caucus with the queens county young democrats. Slowly taking on more responsibility, Daniel kept his focus local petitioning for resources and benefits for the homeless of New York City. After 2018 Daniel assumed the role of president of the Queens County Young Democrats and began working in tandem with the New York City Council, his focus always staying on the issues of homelessness. Professionally Daniel became a director with catholic charities working to prevent homelessness amongst at risk teenagers in New York City Public schools. Daniel's work with the homeless and his community led him to run for city council in 2021. His platform focusing on education, homelessness and substance abuse issues, the very issues which compelled him to become a leader in his community.