Chicago Mayor Richard Daley on ‘Being in the Eye of the Hurricane’

Being a leader means finding a balance between sticking with your principles and values and knowing when you should compromise, according to Richard M. Daley. The Chicago mayor spoke to more than 100 students and friends of the GSB June 4 at the “Theories in Leadership” class taught by Marvin Zonis, professor emeritus of business administration, at Gleacher Center. As a mayor and as a leader, Daley said he finds himself in the eye of the hurricane often. Realizing he can’t please everyone all the time, he told the crowd, he goes with his gut.

Among initiatives he’s most proud of currently include the Chicago Public School’s Summer Fellows Program, which he dreamed up with schools CEO Arne Duncan. The internship draws stellar undergraduates from across the country for a summer’s study between their junior and senior year; some of them study at the University of Chicago. When they graduate, the best fellows are offered teaching positions by CPS. Daley said the program has helped him reach his goal of improving the quality of teachers at the elementary school level. David Vitale, ’76, chief administrator at CPS, is among backers, the mayor said.

Daley also told the crowd he’s happy with his efforts to boost green space and parks around the city. He is particularly proud of plans to develop the former tiny airport, Meigs Field, into a park.

Zonis’s speakers often draw a standing-room only crowd.

 Patricia Houlihan with Bernie Zanck and Kris Mackey