Photo Credit Willie Holdman Tribute to an Influencer–Dr. Blaine Lee
January 31st, 2009 by linkOne of the world’s great business influencers graduated this week. With honors! It is with great love and profound sadness that I report the passing of a great soul, friend and author last Saturday, January 24th, a few months shy of his 63rd birthday–Dr. Blaine Lee.
Blaine was a beloved friend and mentor of 26 years to me and countless customers and associates of FranklinCovey. His big heart and tremendous passion endeared him to all who worked with him. His ability to bring executives to the real issues of their personal responsibility, first surprised and then delighted them. But it certainly endeared him to them for life. I was with Blaine when we taught the 7 Habits to Oprah and the executives at Harpo. I remember O asking me how Blaine expected her to write a mission statement when she “did not know what was around the corner”. Watching Blaine challenge and engage Oprah was a sight to behold and he definitely influenced her with honor.
Blaine was a co founder of Covey Leadership Center which became FranklinCovey and he was instrumental in our success. Blaine inspired countless people to influence with honor and use their legitimate power rather than resort to coercive authority.
Blaine was the author of The Power Principle: Influence With Honor which Kenny Blanchard called “profound” and Stephen R. Covey called “life changing”. Yes it was both to me and thousands of people around the world. Blaine Lee was one of the most influential business thinkers and influencers of his generation.
I was moved by the reminder by Joseph Grenny, co-author of Crucial Conversations as we wept together at Blaine’s funeral that one of the core teachings of the 7 Habits is imagining you were at your own funeral and thinking about what you would want to be said about you. The idea is to live your life accordingly. Well there we sat at Blaine’s funeral and realized he did just that. Judging from the remarkable tributes to Blaine from his brother and sons and our own direct experience of him, Blaine lived up to that challenge. He left this world a better place than he found it and took with him the only thing that accompanies us out of this life, his indomitable spirit and a significantly informed intelligence.
We are confident Blaine will continue his influence beyond this world. It’s certain his influence will continue to touch our world. My dear Blaine you will be sorely missed and always remembered. As his son Ben said: ” See you in the morning Dad!”
Aug 09 at 1:59 pm
Thanks for the post, I love reading about photography and seeing other people’s artwork! How long have you been in the industry?