Leadership - Family Style

Imagine being one of ten kids living in a small home outside of Boston. Do you get forgotten? Do you do as you wish? Are you always mad because you don't have your own things such as a room, closet or bathroom? For Dan La Perriere, none of the above are feeling he had or has. In fact, the lessons he learned from his parents are with him today as he's well entrenched in his second career as a consultant and coach.

I met Dan about six years ago at a quarterly meeting with our supplier Resource Associates. He is a quiet, easy going sort who at the time was in business with his wife Lee, and friend Kathy Bowman Atkins. Lee has since gone out on her own. Dan and Kathy have built a successful consulting business in and around Greensboro, NC. They met at General Dynamics and decided to go out on their own. It's proven to be a very successful partnership.

Dan's parents were hard working folks living in New Bedford, MA. Dan's father recently passed away, but lived a good life based on hard work, commitment and love for his family. All lessons passed down to his kids. Dan was the third of 10. He remembers vividly the organization involved in getting ready for Church, folding clothes and bringing in groceries. Dan's father was in the Marines during WWII. As you might expect, they had weekly inspections focused on keeping their rooms, closets and bathrooms clean.

Dan married his high school sweetheart on his birthday, the day after Lee graduated from college in 1973. They have three wonderful children and just welcomed their first grand child into the world. Dan. like his siblings, has had a wonderful career at AT & T and General Dynamics before founding (with Kathy) The Lattitude Group. His demeanor, patience and listening abilities have served him well throughout his career and with his family. He has been a great coach to me over the past two years and has helped Joan and I with our annual strategic plan.

I am pleased and blessed to call Dan a friend and know he would do anything for me. Can't ask for much more in life. I never met Dan's family, but see how he has incorporated the lessons well. It shows in his words and actions. Lessons abound for all of us, but it's the few who utilize them on a daily basis. Happy Birthday and Anniversary. Continued success for many more!