Matheny talks leadership at U.S. Department of State

WASHINGTON -- Manager Mike Matheny accepted an invitation to speak to the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State on Friday as part of its speaker series to promote the development and practice of leadership.

Matheny spent about an hour at a lectern on stage in an auditorium holding approximately 200 people at the Department of State building. His lecture was simultaneously broadcast on the State Department's internal network so that employees at U.S. Embassies around the world could listen.

"It was a great honor and something I was happy to be able to do," Matheny said. "As I start breaking down what they list as the tenets and the foundation of what they need to do to help out the people who are entrusted to them, they're very, very similar to the ones I see in successful corporate America, and very, very similar to the ones I've seen happen inside a successful clubhouse.

"When it comes down to the application, it's how do you lead, challenge and encourage people. And that's something I feel very strongly is a large part of what I get to do."

Matheny has spoken on the topic of leadership with various corporations and civic groups in the past. In this session, he split his time speaking from prepared remarks and then taking questions from those in attendance.

"We're always looking for people who can inspire us to be better leaders," said John Whiteley, a spokesperson for the bureau. "We were impressed by Mike's records of leadership. And finally, the Department of State has Americans from all over the country working here in Washington and all over the world. Many of them are Cards fans."