Sharing the Principles of Adaptive Leadership
With 34 years in the US Army at his heels, Lieutenant General Rick Lynch has distinguished himself as an exceptional leader and strategist through his chameleon-like ability to adapt to change despite the most challenging obstacles. From surmounting his parents’ inability to pay for college by gaining entry to West Point to leading “The Surge” in Iraq as Army General with only six weeks to prepare, Lieutenant General Lynch has constructed a disciplined and effective mantra for success, which he shares with audiences across the country today.
From company (about 100 soldiers) to corps (about 65,000 soldiers) to the head of all US Army installations, Lynch steadily climbed his way up, eventually commanding at all levels. Matching the professional acumen of established business leaders, he was responsible for managing all the installations in the US Army with an annual budget of $12 billion and a workforce of 120,000. Combining this impeccable work ethic with an open heart, he also effectively lowered divorce and suicide rates at Fort Hood, Texas, by outlawing weekend work and mandating soldier family time.
In his commanding presentations, Lynch captivates audiences with the tenor of his voice and the approachable, conversational nature of his tone. Drawing on his personal experience in and out of combat, he powerfully illustrates his principles, from the foundation of business leadership to the need for resiliency and engagement.
Lieutenant General Rick Lynch was my former Assistant Division Commander when I commanded a Battalion in the 4th Infantry Division. He is a superb combat leader having commanded at every level in the US Army. Now, even though he has hung up his camouflage uniform, LTG Lynch continues to serve his nation. He is a phenomenal speaker who has “boots on the ground” experience and articulately delivers a phenomenal presentation on adaptive leadership. LTG Lynch should know since he was the Commanding General of the US 3d Infantry Division during the critical days of “the surge” in Iraq. I wholeheartedly recommend LTG Lynch as a speaker, not because he was my Commander – but because he was my Mentor.
-Lieutenant Colonel Allen B West (US Army, Retired) President/CEO, National Center for Policy Analysis and Member 112th US Congress
General Lynch weaves together patriotism, leadership, love for his country and his faith in a powerful message that American’s need to hear. His presentation is warm, sometimes funny, but always with a purpose and he connects well with the audience as I’m sure he did with his troops. America is fortunate that he served our country and we were fortunate to have him inspire our group!
-Eileen Resnik Executive Vice President of Development at the National Center for Policy Analysis
Speaking Topics
The Nine Leadership Principles
Ascending from Platoon Leader with 30 people under his command to the head of all US Army installations, Lieutenant General Rick Lynch has been able to clearly identify the qualities an effective leader needs. In this engaging presentation, Lynch will walk you through the nine leadership principles he has come to embrace over his 34 years in the US Army. They are the following:
- Look down, not up: People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care
- Decide when to decide: Take the time to think
- Be an engaged leader: Love your subordinates like you love your own children
- Focus on opportunities, not obstacles
- Be demanding but not demeaning: Everyone must perform to their fullest potential
- Be a mentor: Be accessible, actively listen, and truly care
- Always celebrate diversity: Don’t surround yourself with people like you!
- Achieve a work-life balance
- Have fun: If the boss ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!
Some of the organizations that Rick has spoken to include, but are not limited to:
Cisco
Faith Creek Church
Tech Data
Celgene
Shine
Purdue- Ft. Wayne
Bush Institute
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Christians of America
BNP Paribas
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Memorial Baptist Church
St Martin’s Episcopal Church
Soapstone United Methodist Church
Insight
Price of Liberty Memorial
University of North Carolina
Ovation Users Group, Emerson
Youth Leadership Conference, Texas A&M
Thayer Leader Development Group / Insight
HEB Legacy Leaders
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Faith Creek Church
Christians in Public Service
Fort Worth ISD Teacher of the Year ceremony
Michigan Army National Guard
Bayer Pharmaceuticals
Indiana University ROTC
Shire Pharmaceuticals
University of Texas Arlington
Society of American Military Engineers
LTEN
Fitton Center
CTTMA
Holmes Murphy Associates University
Hodges Capital Management
Colleyville Assembly of God
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Wisconsin National Guard
Coppell Texas Fire Department
Addison Texas Fire Department
Life Church Men’s Ministry
1st Medical Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas
Ennis, Texas Rotary Club
AFJROTC, Westlake, TXHouston Rotary Club
Westin Riverwalk Hotel
Hamilton High School
BNP Paribas, NYCNational Center for Policy Analysis
Sunbelt Rentals
Trophy Club Country Club networking social
Hale Koa
Mikart Pharmaceuticals
Sigma Financial
National Center For Policy Analysis
Republican party of Boone County, Arkansas
USMA cadets
Texas Christian University
Plains All American Pipeline
Dallas Fort Worth Airport Leadership & Staff
University of Texas @ Arlington College of Business
TARDEC
Zen Sights
Christian Broadcast Network Interview
HEB Veterans Day Celebration
xTO Energy, Fort Worth
Philanthropy Round Table
Operation Finally Home Wounded Warrior Weekend
UPitt State of the Science
Youth Leadership Conference College Station
Youth Leadership Conference Fort Worth
Defense Logistics Agency
Christians in Public Service
HEB Tournament of Champions
American Legion Division Champions
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Memorial Day Event
AUVSI Orlando
Exxon Mobile
HEB San Antonio Retiree Celebration
Dallas Independent School District Teacher of the Year
Gary Sinise Foundation Fundraiser
LULAC Scholarship Presentation
National Robotics Engineering Center
HEB Corpus Christi Retiree Celebration
Cincinnati West Point Founders Day
USC School of Social Work
Willis Group
International Builders Show
Plano, TX Rotary Club
UTD Center for Brain Health
Governing God’s Way Leadership Conference
UTA ROTC Commissioning
Texas Military Preparedness Commission
Westlake Texas Chamber of Commerce
Texas Association of College and University Police Administrators
HEB Tournament of Champions
Cristo Rey High School Commencement Address
Texas Commander’s Council
Crown Of Life Lutheran Church
Nashville Inspiration to Action Event for the Gary Sinise Foundation
Comments from attendees at a recent speech:
- Five stars for this 3-Star General. Outstanding choice for a speaker. Pages of notes taken. An investment by Cisco in having him here with us that I know will pay dividends for anyone listening and willing to put his advice to work in our “outfits”.
- Extremely relevant and well worth the time. I took many areas of advice to heart. Great job, great story and a great leader. Thank you
- What a great speaker! Humbling to listen to someone who has sacrificed so much in his life to provide leadership and freedom for so many.
- Awesome and very motivating!!
- Perfect for a Day 1 close out that created conversation over dinner.
- Is there A survey results higher than excellent?
- Completely relevant to what we do each and every day. I really enjoyed how General Lynch used stories to convey his overarching message. It was one of the better presentations I have ever listened to, and I could have spent several hours listening to him!!!! Great idea to have him take part in this forum, and I really appreciate the personal signed copy of his book. What a nice touch. I can’t wait to read it!!!!
- One of the best guest speakers!
- Inspiring- the personally signed book was a nice touch- well done!
- Very much enjoyed Lt. General Rick Lynch
If you would like more information on having Rick speak to your group, please contact us.
Click here to see Fort Worth ISD Teacher of the Year Speech
Govern’s God’s Way Leadership Conference
For more videos of LTG (R) Rick Lynch and his speaking engagements, please subscribe to the YouTube channel by clicking here: 
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I worked for Lt. General Rick Lynch as a BBA at the former Iraqi Republican Palace from 2005-7. To make it short, I can confidently say that this man was created to be a high caliber leader. He is ultra intelligent, charismatic, compassionate but firm, highly principled and dynamic. I wish he thought about running for president. He would’ve been and could make a superb president. I would be the first to volunteer for him. I keep telling my good friend, retired US Army Colonel David Patterson, how much I miss those days even though I went back to Baghdad to work for the Embassy until late in 2011.
Please send me the speaking schedule, I might travel from Michigan to attend his lectures. Thanks