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 Albert Lea native, Dr. Lyman "Manny" K. Steil, is a co-author of the book,

"Listening Leaders," which features contributions from six natives of the

Freeborn County area.

Tribune photo by Jeffrey J. Marmorstone.

 

As a member of the U.S. Navy's Submarine Service, Lyman "Manny" Steil learned very quickly that either you listen, or you die.

 

"This was the time that I learned that my, and everyone's, life literally was dependent on how well everyone listened to each other," Steil said.

 

Since that time, Steil, a 1956 graduate of Albert Lea High School, has made a career out of listening and has even written books on the subject. His most recent book, "Listening Leaders: The Ten Golden Rules To Listen, Lead & Succeed," was published earlier this year. It was co-written by Dr. Richard K. Bommelje.

 

The book focuses on the simple premise that outstanding leaders are outstanding listeners. Along with their own strategies, the authors have included the wisdom of more than 100 listening leaders representing various levels from various professions in various geographical locations around the world.

 

Six of those leaders quoted in Steil's book are Albert Lea High School graduates.

 

- Frank Gallagher, also a 1956 graduate, worked for Walt Disney for 43 years and, as manager of computer systems services there, was centrally involved in the early computerization of Mickey's Kingdom.

 

- Roger "Pudge" Ingebritson, another member of the class of 1956, gained early leadership experience as a U.S. Naval officer and had a lengthy career as director of marketing at 3M.

 

- Yet another classmate, Steve Leuthold, is the founder and chief executive officer of the Leuthold Group, an institutional investment research firm that provides research information to 230 institutions and 15,000 individuals throughout the United States and Europe.

 

- Greg Steil, Lyman's brother and a 1963 graduate of Albert Lea High School, serves as director of quality control at Toro Inc.

 

- Jerry Tostrude, class of 1956, is a retired executive vice president of West Publishing Co. and presently chairman of the board of regents for St. Olaf College.

 

- D.R. "Sid" Verdoorn, class of 1957, is chairman of the board of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, one of the world's most successful transportation, logistics and sourcing companies.

 

Of including so many ALHS graduates, Steil said, "This city has produced a lot of successful people."

 

Steil said his greatest single professional influence was Dr. Ralph G. Nichols, "The Father of the Field of Listening."

 

"The opportunity to study with, work for and with, and to extend Dr. Nichols teaching of listening at the University of Minnesota, shaped my entire career. In addition, my U of M mentors and colleagues, Dr. Ron Brown and Dr. George Shapiro, contributed greatly to my professional growth and maturation," Steil said.

 

But he also credits some "great role models - parents, teachers and clergy." In particular, he mentions "Coach" LeRoy Maas, and he, along with the six individuals above are active in supporting the LeRoy Maas Scholarship Fund (www.lmaasscholarship.org). Steil is a co-founder of the scholarship and vice president of the scholarship fund.

 

Steil spent 20 years in the education field, originally teaching high school. As a former director of debate at Macalester College, and former chairman of the speech communication division, Department of Rhetoric, University of Minnesota, Steil speaks and consults internationally. He is the only individual who has been inducted into the "Speaker's Hall of Fame" and the "Listening Hall of Fame."

 

Steil is the chairman and CEO of the International Listening Leadership Institute, and a founding partner of the Masters Alliance, LLP, a consulting partnership with offices in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Portland, Maine, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Vail, Colo.

 

Steil was the founder and first president of the International Listening Association, creator of the first Effective Listening Video program and architect of the renowned Sperry Listening Program.

 

He has co-written four other books, all on listening. One was for educators, and another for trainers. Both are out of print. The third was "Listening: It Can Change Your Life," and "Effective Listening: Key to Your Success."

 

"But this book goes beyond all these," Steil said of his newest book.

 

Listening is truly a need that's been neglected, Steil said. "Every educator says it's significant, but no one does anything about it," he added.

 

The same can be said of private industries. That's why he's worked with companies all over the world. "Everybody's interested in listening, but what's important is what they do with it," Steil said.

 

"It all starts with listening to yourself, then significant people in your life, your boss, colleagues and subordinates," Steil said. "It doesn't matter what field you're in."

 

Steil's book is available at The Constant Reader in downtown Albert Lea.

 

Steil and his wife, Dee, make their home in St. Paul and Colorado.

 

(Contact Geri McShane at lifestyles@albertleatribune.com or 379-3436.)

 

Courtesy of the Albert Lea Tribune Published: Aug 28, 2004

 

 

 

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