By Peter Jeff
The Leadership Mints Guy

Here’s an idea to strengthen your values. Reading time: 1:46.

The building contractor balked when he saw the architect’s plan for a new home. “Too dangerous,” he said, eyeing the planned cantlevered terraces 30 foot high over a waterfall.

He refused the job. Another contractor built the cantilevered terraces but then had second thoughts about removing the construction supports, even though the architect assured the contractor that the cantilevered terraces would stay up.

And Frank Lloyd Wright proved it. Personally.

The famous architect, much to the surprise of the contractor, personally stood up for and under what he believed in. He proved the structural integrity of his design.

Standing under the cantilevered terrace, he kicked out the temporary support structure. Safely and securely. Wright On! Frank Lloyd Wright made history that day.

His masterpiece—The Fallingwater Home in Bear Run, PA—would become the subject of a cover story in Time Magazine in January 1938 and Wright added another chapter into his leadership legend as the most famous architect of the 20th century.

Wright Makes Might

Leaders stand up – and under—for what they believe in.

Wright also stood up for his design of the controversial mushroom-like pillars in the Johnson Wax headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin.

The building inspector would not approve the construction of the pillars until Wright proved each pillar could support 12 tons. Wright conducted the test FIVE-FOLD, proving his pillars could hold 60 tons.

And once again, Frank Lloyd Wright walked his talk.

Standing up for what he believed was right, Wright did what Roman engineers did more than 2,000 years ago to prove the structural integrity of the buildings they designed. He personally stood under the archways BEFORE the official opening of the building to the public.

Next time someone challenges your integrity- the integrity of who you are or the integrity of what you do- defend yourself personally and professionally. Be a leader.

And exercise your “Wrights.” With integrity.

Today’s ImproveMINT

Exercise your integrity to keep your leadership thinking in mint condition.

SUBSCRIBE: Have a Leadership Mint delivered to your E-mail every business day.
It’s free. Just click the SIGN ME UP box in the upper left column.