Friday, July 17, 2009

Being Frederick Toney

Our dear family friend, my eight brother, has recently been promoted at Ford Motor Company as the senior vice president of the customer service division, taking the place of longtime senior vice president and president of Ford's customer service division, Darryl Hazel. Frederick has a unique ability for inspiring others, leading with a quite strength, and executing through consensus building. He focuses on execution without the hoopla which means that he is not driven by personality, but by results.

Speaking with him this afternoon, Frederick told me of the near two hundred notes he received since the announcement this Wednesday and the many calls which came from many throughout the Ford Motor Company from the President and CEO on down. Even as a board member at our church he leads with excellence, being able to converse with people of all classes and backgrounds. His strength and innovation for getting things done are noticeable.

Frederick's leadership is not aggressive, but is calm and steady. He can be trusted with leadership, as he honors the gifts of others and makes certain that these gifts are used for the advancement of the whole. Frederick is an excellent leader from whom I learn so much about so many things. He leads when he is not even trying to lead. Ford is blessed to have such a leader that will enhance the customer service division and grow the business. The American auto industry needs such a one during this tumultuous time.

Bravo Frederick. I love you, my brother, my friend.

11 comments:

Marion said...

Congratulations to your brother on his wonderful promotion. Sounds like he's a perfect fit for such a job with all his good qualities and fully deserves the promotion. You are so blessed to have a big, loving family! Blessings!!

Linda S. Socha said...

What a wonderful happening Judith. Blessings to Frederick
Linda

Judith Ellis said...

Thanks, Marion. Frederick is not one of my seven blood brothers, but he is most certainly as one. We love him dearly and am very proud of him.

Judith Ellis said...

Linda - Yes, it is indeed a wonderful happening and he is a wonderfully talented and humble man, a true leader.

Judith Ellis said...

And, yes, Marion. I have a big loving family: 7 brothers. (5 remaining), 4 sisters, 26 nieces and nephews and many many extended family members that are not connected by blood but by spirit. Frederick is one of these.

dave wheeler said...

Judith,

Outstanding accomplishment indeed! I used to teach all kinds of leadership and management classes and one I recall was a case study of the Ford and CEO Donald Petersen when they turned the company around in the late eigthties.

Leadership is a marvelous thing and it is terrific to see it get rewarded!

Judith Ellis said...

Dave - During times of crisis we really tend to focus on leadership. It looks as if we are in a terrible lack of effective leadership now. But I'm sure that such is being done throughout the country in millions of small businesses. It seems to be more difficult to have a consistent message in large conglomerates with regards to customer service. But it is certainly not impossible.

septembermom said...

Congratulations and good luck to Frederick! From your description, he sounds like just the kind of innovative, inspiring and dedicated leader that many of our struggling businesses need in today's economy. I'm sure that he will succeed in his new position. It's nice to hear a good news story about employment for a change. Let's hope the tide changes for many soon...

Judith Ellis said...

Yes, yes, septembermom! Let's hope that the lives of others across this great country will soon be change for the better. During difficult seasons is often when great things occur. Sometimes we only need to create them, beginning first in our minds by believing that all things are possible, even in, especially in, such a time. Let's keep the faith and act!

Ryan Freed said...

"During difficult seasons is often when great things occur." This is very true and Frederick seems like a great leader to create great things in Ford. Congratulations!

Unknown said...

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