This groundbreaking proven research into how to overcome adversity and how to "Turn Adversity into Opportunities" has received extensive endorsements and enthusiastic reviews from well-known prominent business, political, and academic leaders and leading scholars who either participated in the study or reviewed the research findings. You will discover the proven success habits and secrets of people who, in spite of adversity, discrimination, abuse, or difficult or life threatening challenges shaped their own destiny to become successful, effective leaders. The full results of this research into overcoming adversity and becoming a successful leader is presented the published book by Howard Edward Haller, Ph.D. which is titled -"Leadership and Adversity: The Shaping of Prominent Leaders."
The nine initial prominent successful leaders who overcame adversity or tragedy who were interviewed included: Dr. Tony Bonanzino [CEO-Hollister-Steir], United States Senator Orrin Hatch, Monzer Hourani [Chairman-Medistar], United States Senator Daniel Inouye, Dr. John Malone [Self Made Billionaire: Chairman-Liberty Media Corporation, former CEO of TelliCommunications Inc.], Larry Pino [Chairman and CEO-Dynetech and Telligenix], United States Army Major General Sid Shachnow (Retired), Dr. Blenda Wilson[former University President, former University Chancellor, and CEO Nallie Mae Foundation], and Zig Ziglar [noted self development Guru and Chairman-Ziglar Training].
The data from these nine research participants was materially augmented by seven more interviews with successful individuals who overcame adversity, abuse, or loss of a parent in their youth including: Jack Canfield [Best Selling Author, Chicken Soup for the Soul series and Success Principals, noted self development Guru], William Draper III [Veteran Venture Capitalists, former CEO of Sutter-Hill Ventures, now Managing Partner of Draper-Richard Venture Capital], Mark Victor Hansen [Best Selling Author, Chicken Soup for the Soul series, One Minute Millionaire, and many others, and noted self development Guru], J. Terrence Lanni [Chairman and CEO-MGM Mirage, Angelo Mozilo[now retired Founder, Chairman, CEO of Countrywide Financial], Dr. Nido Qubein [President High Point University, Chairman of several Businesses, and noted self development Guru], and Dr. John Sperling [Self Made Billionaire: Founder and Chairman-Apollo Group and University of Phoenix].
Additionally, five internationally known, respected leadership scholars and bestselling authors, all offered their peer debriefing reviews of the leadership and overcoming adversity research findings including: Dr. Ken Blanchard, Dr. John Kotter, Professor James Kouzes, Dr. Paul Stoltz, and Dr. Meg Wheatley.
PART I of IV: This is the Angelo Mozilo's Story of Overcoming Severe Adversity
Angelo R. Mozilo was born in New York in the late 1930's. His parents were first generation Italian Americans. They were hard working but they had little formal education. Angelo's father was a butcher in the Bronx borough of New York City. His parents could not afford a home, so Angelo, his parents, and his four younger siblings lived in a two family home owned by Angelo's Uncle. Angelo shared with me that, "I was 17 before my parents were able to buy their first home." This desire and goal of home ownership was indelibly etched in Angelo's mind. He further commented that it was something they [his parents] wanted all their lives." Angelo built Countrywide Financial upon the idea that "home ownership is part of the 'American Dream.'" Mozilo added "I must say that helping people get their first home is a very satisfying business."
Angelo's father began working as a Butcher's apprentice at age ten, so he could help his immigrant parents. His Dad worked very hard and eventually owned two butcher shops at one time. Angelo came from a loving family. The entire Mozilo family, Angelo's parents and younger siblings, drove out to see Angelo's paternal grandparents every Sunday. Angelo's father was very dedicated to his parents and made a point of driving 25 miles every morning, before going to work in his butcher store, to check in on his parents.
Angelo was not a healthy child. At the tender age of two, he developed a severe ear infections that was so bad it required several surgeries. As a young man Angelo was subject to major asthmatic attacks. The attacks were so severe that he could not participate in many physical activities. This restriction was quite difficult on Angelo because he liked school and loved sports. But the severe asthma kept him home and when he was at school he could not play sports. Mozilo shared "There were no effective medications for asthma in those days." Angelo pointed out "Sometimes I had to stay in a bed for week waiting for an attack to lessen on its own. Because I was not able to participate in sports, which I loved, I instead channeled by drive and desire two into being the very best in every aspect of the mortgage business. I had to be the best messenger, the best at running the Pitney Bowes machine, and always be the best at everything I did."
Angelo's father sold one of his two butcher shops to pay for Angelo's medical bills and also took on a partner in his remaining butcher shop. Angelo began helping out his father at the butcher store when Angelo was 12. His jobs at the shop were basic things such as cleaning floors, making sausage, and cutting up chickens. It was hard work for a young man, but Angelo did not mind helping his father. He was able to observe and learn everything that was necessary to run a small retail store. Angelo came to the realization that he did not want to be a butcher for his life's work. But he continued to work for his father in order to pay for his Catholic school tuition which he started in eighth grade. When he was only 14, Angelo got job in a local mortgage company. He worked at the mortgage company during the week and continued to work in his father's butcher shop on the weekends to help his father.
Angelo did well in high school and was involved in various student activities in the school. He got along well with his peers and developed a real appreciation for his teachers because they were dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of Angelo and his classmates. Mozilo describes his schooling as "a broadening experience." His mother firmly believed that all of her children needed to get a good education in order to take advantage of all the opportunities in America. From the time Angelo and his siblings were very young his mother was adamant that her children would go to college. His father did not share his mother's dream. His father wanted Angelo to come to work with him in the butcher store, just as his partner's son had done. Angelo shared that "When it came time to make a decision about [me going to] college, my father was reluctant to give his permission." Mozilo further commented that "He [Angelo's father] saw working as butcher a secure job because you could always put food on the table. Because my father was a victim of the Great Depression, having food on the table was important to him. Finally, he told me that if I went to college I would have to go somewhere close so I could come home every night." Being a good and obedient son Angelo chose Fordham University, which was the closest college to his home.
Part II is also posted along with Part III and IV.
Howard Edward Haller, Ph.D. is the Chief Enlightenment Officer of both the
Intraprenurship Institute and The Leadership Success Institute
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