Remembering David Gergen
From Bill George:
“A Giant Has Fallen:
David Gergen was not only a great leader, but an intimate friend to Penny and me and so many people.
When David Gergen took his final breath last evening, he left a huge hole in my heart - and the hearts of so many he has not only touched but helped along their paths. To the world, David will be known as an amazing moral leader, who was truly authentic, always speaking the truth, and doing so with kindness. He never wavered in his beliefs, his values, and his integrity.
Throughout his service to four U.S. Presidents - both Republican and Democrat - he was the epitome of a loyal advisor offering candor drawn from a deep well of understanding of the world, our country, and its leaders. As a CNN commentator, he was the sole person who offered original insights that went far beyond the standard wisdom.
It was at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government where he did his most enduring work. There he developed the next generation of public leaders as Founding Director of its Center for Public Leadership in the last 25 years of his life, and counseled so many public servants during and in between their years in government. His mentoring and coaching of these leaders will have a lasting impact for generations to come.
Most of all, David was a close personal friend who did so much to help and encourage me in making the transition from corporate executive to teacher, writer, and mentor to leaders of all ages. When I wanted to publish my book on "Authentic Leadership," it was David who introduced me to Warren Bennis who took me on as a mentee. David wrote the Forward to all three editions of "True North." We taught together, worked together, and traveled together, and our spouses are also good friends. But most important of all, we cared about each other. His passing leaves a huge hole in my heart.
I hope in my years ahead, I will do my best to carry on David's legacy.”
Click here for the New York Times article on David Gergen
Click here for the Washington Post article on David Gergen