Dr.

Bernard
Bleem
Leadership Interview
Marlene Purden
Strength Based Leadership
Tarleton State University

Dr. Bernard Bleem is the managing

DVM at Kruger Animal Hospital. He
graduated from University of Illinois
College of Veterinary Medicine in
1985.

Dr. Bernard Bleem

I have admired his work ethic and his

drive to influence those around him
to be the best in the ever evolving
world of veterinary medicine.
I have known Dr. Bleem for a number
of years and have worked with him in
a clinic and animal shelter setting.
His compassion for people and all
creatures consistently inspires me to
become a better person and
veterinary technician.

Dr. Bernard Bleem

Q: In your eyes, what is a leader?

BB: Leadership is a personal decision made by an individual

who has accepted the burden of creating themselves to be
someone who can formulate a vision, live out the vision, and
constantly create opportunities for others to fulfill the vision of
a group. They have a vision for those individuals that they
serve. They relinquish their personal agendas and selfish
aspirations for the benefit of the group. They accept and allow
personal scrutiny at the highest level and inspire an individual
to act within the group.

Dr. Bernard Bleem

Q: You mentioned individuals that you serve.
Please elaborate on that statement.
BB: There are different
leadership styles and
everyone is different.
In order to accomplish
a servant leadership
style, a leader must
give up their own
agenda and their
preconceived notions
that your followers
must work for you. As
a leader, I must
provide an
environment in order
for people to excel. I
accomplish that by
leading by example
and supporting others
in their goals.

Dr. Bernard Bleem

Q: Who are some notable leaders that
you admire the most?
BB: Martin Luther King, Dr. George
Robison, and Saint Paul.
Q: What are some characteristics that
you commonly see in those admirable
leaders?
BB: Honesty, integrity, open
mindedness, vision, empathy,
uncompromising work ethic, patience,
and support.
Q: Why do you feel those
characteristics are important?
BB: They are the basic building
blocks for effective leadership. The
basic requirements for establishing
and maintaining trust between a
leader and followers.

Q: How important is establishing

trust with your followers?

Dr. Bernard Bleem

BB: Extremely important!

Without trust, their can be no
relationship.
Q: Do you believe a personal relationship with those
who follow is an important aspect of leadership. i.e
knowing about their lives, asking about interest, etc?
BB: Yes. Without relationships, there
is no opportunity to discuss how an
individual can sustain an attitude and
work ethic to produce desirable
results. There is no possibility for
sustained growth towards maturity.
People must be encouraged to
incorporate their lives into their work
since productivity is directly related
to how well an individuals desires fit
the teams goals.

Q: Can you please elaborate on

that last statement?

Dr. Bernard Bleem

BB: I have to know someone personally in order to determine if their

desires will meet the vision. I have seen many practices fail by hiring
people who do not have the desire to see the vision.
Q: As a leader, what are some
characteristics you find within
yourself?
BB: Empathy, patience, and an ability
to allow people to try and fail.
Q: Can you elaborate on allowing
people to try and fail? Why do you
feel this is one of your best leadership
qualities?
BB: I offer my followers the opportunity to achieve a task, but there is a
process for this. First, we provide training and walk through models,
allowing them to try to perform the task with assistance, and then
perform the task on their own. The individual may fail to perform that
task but thats okay. Eventually failure will lead to success. It
empowers an individual to take initiative and gain confidence.

Dr. Bernard Bleem

Q: What motivates you to be a leader?
BB: My vision for how things can be, care and concern for
others, wanting to help people and allowing them to see the
potential in themselves all motivate me.

Q: How do you motivate and

encourage your team members to
achieve?
BB: Keeping the main goal in
mind and up front, getting along
side each person and assisting
them in realizing that they can
achieve their dreams, keeping
the vision first, and not buying
into the individuals personally
defined and stubbornly guarded
limitations.

Dr. Bernard Bleem

Q: What do you mean by not buying into the individuals personally
defined and guarded limitations?
BB: Everybody has
certain limitations. You
and I have limitations.
Some have more
limitations than others.
People will say I
cant do that or I
dont know how. As a
leader, I cannot accept
that as an answer. I
need to push them out
of their comfort zone
and force them to see
their potential.
Encourage them to see
what is possible and
enforce what is
expected of them.

Dr. Bernard Bleem

Q: Describe a time where you
took a leadership position but
did not have the leader title.
BB:I have assumed that position in church, my childrens school,
and my children's sporting and dancing events. I am very careful
not to disempower the assigned leaders. However, in my
experience, those times required someone else to step up and
redirect the group. When necessary, I focus on what needs to get
done, make requests, and empower others to help fulfill the goal.
Q: How does that shape you into
the leader you are today?
BB: Every individual that has
allowed me to influence them
has shaped my foundation for
my leadership style.

Dr. Bernard Bleem

Q: You have mentioned vision multiple times
during this interview. Explain what a vision is to
you and the importance behind it.
BB: A vision is the complete concept of
what you want to achieve. It is the
emotions, the plan , the big picture. In
this case, it is the complete picture of
what it takes to be the best veterinary
clinic and provide the best care for
patients.
Q: How do you influence your
followers to see your vision?
BB: First, you must write it down and obtain agreement on
what is wanted. Engage employees and allow them to
participate in creating the vision. This allows for a personal
connection to the vision, making it important to them as
well. Then, we must analyze the vision and redefine it in
order to accomplish the goals and tasks we put before us.

Dr. Bernard Bleem

Q: Do you think being a leader comes naturally or is it a skill
that is developed over time?
BB: Both, there are different levels of successful leadership.
Some people are endowed with remarkable insight, while
others must work to achieve this.

Q: How does an individual develop their skills in

leadships?
BB: Through continuing education, practice, and
feedback from their superiors.

Dr. Bernard Bleem

Q: Finally, what advice would you give to those
who are new to leadership roles?

BB: They should define their vision and goals and study
the characteristics of exceptional leadership. Surround
themselves with the appropriate support and develop
their communication skills. They need to develop
passion, be open for criticism and learn the value of self
evaluation. Be open to studying the art of conditioning,
redefining, and reinventing themselves with their vision
in mind. And above all else, practice, practice,
practice!

Dr. Bernard Bleem

References
(n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from
http://www.evansincorporated.com/leadership-competenciescoaching-and-performance/
(n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from
http://mycareercounselling.blogspot.com/2013_05_01_archive.html
Dr. Bleemclient [Personal photograph taken in Kruger Animal
Hospital]. (2015, December 15).
Malfamily [Personal photograph taken in Kruger Animal Hospital].
(2015, December 3).
(n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from
http://www.alternet.org/activism/8-surprising-things-you-didnt-knowabout-dr-martin-luther-king-jr
(n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from http://www.tomgray.com/2012/08/15/effective-leadership-quotes/
(n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from
http://leaderchat.org/2013/08/19/motivation-as-a-leadershipcompetency-3-ways-to-get-started/

Dr. Bernard Bleem

References
(n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from
http://seotechyworld.com/potential-search-ads/
(2014, May 21). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from
http://www.steamfeed.com/6-reasons-need-servant-leadership/
Diversity puzzle. (n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from
http://www.time2connect.co.za/wpcontent/uploads/2012/10/diversitypuzzle.jpg
Success is an iceberg. (n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2016, from
https://ithemes.com/2015/07/21/success-is-an-iceberg/