Meg Whitman Turned EBay into a Billion Dollar Business. Can She Help California?

Success: If you look up successful leadership by anyone’s definition, you would find Meg Whitman. The former e-Bay CEO took the Internet auction house from 30 employees to 15,000 in her ten years as chief. Revenues skyrocketed from $47 million to almost $8 billion under her leadership.

Meg Whitman, former CEO, e-Bay, and Judy Jernudd, CEO, Startegic.

At the time I met her, just before the November election, she was co-chair of John McCain’s finance committee. Her big vision speech, combined with futuristic goals, sparked the idea that she would be an effective politician. With education as her focus, she predicts science, math, technology and engineering are the fuel for future economic growth. One of her major concerns is with the United States falling behind in these crucial areas.  The financial condition of the golden state is an important issue on her agenda.

After her speech, I asked if she had plans to make a run for politics herself.  She was quick to smile with a non-committal response, “That’s a rumor isn’t it?” I hadn’t heard any buzz about it, but in listening to her talk, you knew politics could be her future. Well, it’s official. On Monday, she announced that she had formed an exploratory committee to seek the Republican nomination for governor of California in the year 2010.

Impression: Even if you didn’t know what Ms. Whitman looked liked prior to her entrance into the hotel ballroom to deliver her speech, you knew you were in the presence of leadership. She walks, no, she strides, into the room with confidence and purpose, appearing oblivious to all eyes cast in her direction. She is taller and more vibrant in person than she appears in her media interviews or televised speeches. I thought, she is a determined woman with purpose!

Lesson: Ms. Whitman delivers substance, not just a list of her accomplishments or e-Bay’s success stories. Her content helps her audience relate to her leadership skills.  She has the potential to be a great influential speaker. As a professional speaking coach, I would advise her to develop her personal stellar speaking style as she makes her political run for California’s Chief. Her winning, in part, will depend on her connection with a wide audience of potential voters, particularly through the TV cameras.

President Obama’s win reminds us of the essential connection with voters through electronic broadcasts. His communication skills helped him get the key to the White House. Presidents Kennedy, Reagan and Clinton each honed their speaking skills with powerful on-camera presence.  Media interviews and broadcast speeches are challenging for most people. It takes skill, coaching, practice and the ability to emotionally connect with  hundreds of thousands of people through the eyes of the camera.

Prediction: Political pundits are already talking about the uphill battle she faces, but you can take this to the bank: Meg Whitman will be a force in California’s bid for Commander-in-Chief. She has big picture vision.  She is different from many politicians who tell us what is wrong; she has ideas on how to fix the problems. Isn’t it time to put successful business minds in political leadership?

Judy’s Gold Star Action: Content helps you be of interest to your listeners. That’s only a part of successful speaking. I get to help executives look, talk, walk and speak like the powerful leaders they are. It takes coaching, skill, practice and rehearsals. Most great leaders receive private coaching to improve people skills, speaking and media skills. They look to experts to help them create executive image and presence. It is rare that anyone makes it to the top without coaching in all, or most of, the areas of leadership development.  The blending of these high level skills and qualities produces influential leaders. Make no mistake, every time you step in front of your staff, team, clients or potential customers, you are in a position of leadership.  You want to project confidence, and present with clarity and emotion, to connect with your audience of one or one thousand.

Stay Tuned!

Judyth

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