Herbert Hoover

Full Name

Herbert Clark Hoover

Lifespan

90 years (1874 - 1964)

Term

31st President [R] 1929 - 1933

DETERMINED - Firmly resolved and unwavering in decision; driven, persistent, purposeful, focused.

— Every leader will face adversity, deal with opposition, and make mistakes. Steadfast determination allows leaders to overcome great hurdles and achieve incredible accomplishments, making determination an essential characteristic of a strong leader.

RESPONSIVE - Acknowledging and responding to need; responding readily and sympathetically to appeals or influences; acting in response to; understanding, sympathetic.

— It is no secret that talk is cheap; some leaders have a knack for saying what people want to hear, but lack sincerity and follow-through. Truly responsive leaders back up their words with effective action. They recognize need and they quickly wield their influence and authority to meet that need.

BENEVOLENT - Desiring to help others, charitable, philanthropic. Expressing goodwill; generous, kind, compassionate, considerate.

— Benevolent leaders desire to improve the lives of those they lead, and they generously offer whatever support and assistance possible. This display of benevolent, empathetic leadership helps team members and followers feel that they are understood as well as cared about, resulting in more effective relationships. A leader’s compassion and generosity will produce trust, respect, loyalty and appreciativeness, and often has positive implications far outreaching the leader’s position.

HUMBLE - modest and unpretentious; not proud or arrogant; courteous, respectful, unassuming, reserved.

— Confidence is attractive, but cockiness or arrogance never is. The most successful leaders possess sincere humility while still leading with confidence. Leaders who choose not to boast about their accomplishments or lord their position over their subordinates earn much deeper respect and loyalty in the long run.

Hoover Quotes

When there is a lack of honor in government, the morals of the whole people are poisoned.”

Words without actions are the assassins of idealism.”

Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity.”


Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum

LOCATION: West Branch, IA

OPENED: August 10, 1962