Jeffrey S. Raikes, the new CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, held an audience captive when he spoke Friday at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln about lessons learned in business and leadership.
Raikes, the former president of the Microsoft Business Division, was named CEO of the Gates Foundation in May 2008.
The first point Raikes made during his presentation, which was held in the Nebraska Union, concerned his childhood and family background. Raikes grew up on a farm seven miles outside of Ashland. By living and working on the farm, he said, he learned the value of having passion in what you do and the meaning of community.
In spite of being in the corporate business world for many years, these farm town values have remained important to him.
The next of Raikes' points were business lessons he had learned during his career. He explained that even though it's great to have a life plan, there are some opportunities that shouldn't be turned down based on if they do or do not follow the set plan.
On June 13, UNL changed the name of the J.D. Edwards Honors Program in Computer Science and Management to the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management. Raikes has served on the board of the J.D. Edwards Honors Program since its beginning and has been a role model and mentor to many of the students.
Raikes spoke of the talent he has seen come from his namesake and how innovation is sometimes misunderstood.
"Innovation comes from somebody transforming what they see in one part of life into something that can be used in another part of life," Raikes said, reminding students not to get discouraged when their innovation is seen as something trivial.
Finally, Raikes spoke of how leadership shapes culture, explained the process of leadership and how being a leader is not only about personality and charisma. There must be a process for leadership: creating a vision, assembling the right team and structure, executing by learning, coaching and inspiring and articulating clear goals, he said.
"I look forward to what these leaders will do for our state, our country and our world," Raikes said.
Nate Lowry, a senior computer engineering major, said he was inspired by the presentation.
"I'm just amazed that a small-town farm kid could be so successful," Lowry said.
Lowry attended not only because he is part of the Raikes School, but also appreciates the help Raikes has given the school.
Future UNL student Derek Guenther was equally impressed by the presentation.
"I've never had a chance to hear someone of such great importance speak," Guenther said. "Leading by example is a major thing I learned."
The 17-year-old is excited for his future at UNL as a computer science major and for the many opportunities he'll be offered by being in the Raikes School.
Raikes was also recognized at the Nebraska football game on Saturday for the renaming of the Honors Program.
allysonfelt@dailynebraskan.com
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