Lee Iacocca

Lee Iacocca (http://www.nndb.com/people/988/000022922/lee-iacocca.gif)

Lee Iacocca once said, "So what do we do? Anything. Something. So long as we just don't sit there. If we screw it up, start over. Try something else. If we wait until we've satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be too late." Determination can get one far in life. Iacocca is a determined and daring man. Iacocca entered the business world at the age of twenty-two, working at Ford Motors as an engineer. He was not happy as an engineer so he worked his way into the sales department; once he was there he skyrocketed to the top. After spending ten years as president of Ford, Iacocca was let go by Henry Ford II in 1978. In 1979 Iacocca took one of the most daring risks of his life when he accepted the job of president on Chrysler Corporation, who at the time was nearly bankrupt. In good time he revived the corporation and to this date it is still successfully running. To be a hero one must be determined and daring. Determination can either make or break a person, it made Iacocca. "Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore." (Andre Gide) A hero must take risks to do discover new things. Iacocca knew what he wanted and achieved it by being determined. He took on whatever daring obstacles life threw at him.

Lee Iaccoca standing next to the Lee Iacocca Mustang (http://dubdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/mr-iacocca-and-mustang-small.jpg)

Determination is an admirable trait that one must possess to make it in this world. Iacocca always had the determination to become the best. He is a determined leader who will not take no for an answer. During a meeting with Henry Ford he pushes for his plan and finally succeeds when Ford says, "Okay I'll approve the damn thing just get your guys off my back. But it's your ass if it doesn't sell." (Fria 164) Iacocca was persistent in getting his plan to pass. Behind every great man there is a force that drives him to be better. Ford makes it clear to Iacocca that this plan better excel or else, this builds the determination level even higher for Iacocca. Everyone must start somewhere near the bottom and with a little determination one can quickly skyrocket to the top. "He [Iacocca] was hired as an engineer by Ford Motor Co. but soon moved to its sales department and was noted for his successful promotion for the sporty yet inexpensive mustang." (Encyclopedia Britannica) Not wanting to stay low on the totem pole for long, Iacocca spent numerous hours working at his position to slowly but surely work his way up. Iacocca quickly learned all the "tricks of the trade" and was rewarded for all the hard work. Determination can make of break a person, Iacocca let it consume him so that he could be the best he could possibly be.

Iacocca standing next to a model Mustang (http://www.selectism.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/frey-ford-mustang.jpg)

To be daring is to be courageous and bold, to do something risky. Iacocca took many daring chances all in the hope of success. Iacocca is well known for his daring decision to take on a job at the nearly bankrupt Chrysler Corporation. He took many daring chances that inevitably lead to the corporation's revival. "He [Iacocca] rose rapidly, becoming president of Ford in 1970. His brash manner led to his dismissal by Henry Ford II in 1978. A year later he was hired by the nearly bankrupt Chrysler Corp." (Encyclopedia Britannica) Iacocca made many daring decisions in his career one decision ended up getting him fired just as he had gotten to the top, but led to the decision to take on the failing Chrysler. Taking on Chrysler was not something many successful people would do, it was already close to hopeless and a failure would not help anyone’s reputation, but regardless Iacocca made the choice and took on the challenge. "Iacocca is credited with rescuing Chrysler from bankruptcy in the late 70's, and served as a director there until 1993." (Fria 165) To take on a near bankrupt corporation is a daring choice, which ended up being worth it when Iacocca rescued Chrysler from bankruptcy. By being able to make choices in the better interests for the company Iacocca succeeded in bringing the company back to a steady state. Without taking risks and making daring decisions Iacocca would have never been fired from Ford and taken the position at Chrysler, and Chrysler would probably still not be around today. Making daring decisions got Iacocca where he is today, which is a successful, happy, wealthy, retired man.

Chrysler symbol (http://www.buyandsell.lk/images/vehicle_logo/Chrysler_logo.jpg)

Iacocca overcame many obstacles in his life by being determined to be the best. "Success in not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." (Winston Churchill) Determination is what will drive one to make the daring choices they are forced to make in life. Iacocca had a dream to get on the top, to not only meet the standard but to be the standard. To achieve his dreams he had to make some daring decisions and choices along the way, they were all worthwhile. Lee Iacocca is an inspiration in that he never gave up; even when the going got tough he did not give up. Iacocca grasped the opportunity at Chrysler in his bare hands and ran with it. He successfully revived the business thus making a name for himself. Iacocca was able to make a name for himself, earn the respect of many and all by being determined and daring and that is why he is my hero. Iacocca once said, "If you want to make a good use of your time you've got to know what's most important then give it all you've got." Life is short. Why not make the most out of it while you're here?

Lee Iacocca and Snoop Dog on set for a commercial (http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/05/Word_is_Bond.jpg)

Works Cited

Advameg, Inc. “Lee Iacocca.” Encyclopedia of World Biography. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2011. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. .

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. “Lee Iacocca Biography.” Bio- True Story. Ed. A&E Television Network. A&E Television Networks, 2010. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. .

Fria, Robert A. The Mustang Genisis. Jefferson, North Carolina, and London: McFarland&Company, 2010. Print.

Iacocca, Lee. “My Life.” Lee Iacocca. Lee Iacocca, 2007. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. .