As part of this year's Bold Idea Conference at New Mexico State University, the College of Business' Executive Speaker Series featured nationally recognized entrepreneur, author and business advisor Chuck Blakeman. Supported by New Mexico Mutual, the primary sponsor for the session, this keynote served as the final event before the Bold Idea Challenge and delivered a powerful message on leadership, effectiveness and building organizations that thrive beyond the founder.
The fireside chat, moderated by College of Business Dean Bryan Asheanbaum, drew a full audience of students eager to learn from Blakeman's decades of experience advising entrepreneurs and companies across the country. In a generous contribution to the event, Blakeman gifted 100 copies of his bestselling book, Making Money Is Killing Your Business, providing attendees with resources to continue developing their leadership mindset.
Blakeman's talk centered on a transformative principle: leadership is not about authority; it is about designing systems that work without you. He explained that many organizations unintentionally create bottlenecks when leaders position themselves at the center of every decision, slowing innovation and stifling growth.
During the session, Blakeman was joined by his longtime colleagues John Heenan and Henry McCrory, who expanded on themes of trust, culture and meaningful leadership.
"Focus on building relationships that are transformational, not transactional," McCrory shared.
Heenan also emphasized the long-term value of authenticity and purpose, encouraging students to invest in relationships and leadership practices that strengthen teams and create sustainable success.
The Executive Speaker Series delivered more than inspiration. Blakeman's frameworks, paired with insights from Heenan and McCrory, offered students a new model for understanding leadership grounded in empowerment, culture and long-term impact.
"If you want to make a real impact, stop trying to be the hero of your story and start building something that works without you." Blakeman said.
Supported by NM Mutual and presented by the NMSU College of Business, the Chuck Blakeman Executive Speaker Series was one of several impactful sessions during the Bold Idea Conference designed to expose students to new ideas, voices and perspectives beyond the classroom.
The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/executive-speaker-series-closes-bold-idea-conference-with-insight-on-leadership--impact/s/2373badd-6bca-4f42-a9f4-fc6852a3def2
