Key Lesson: Speak the truth to yourself, master your craft, and stay positive. This will give you the resolve to handle the forces of competition throughout your career and let you stay focused on producing lasting results. People yearn to follow leaders who have purpose and drive.

For a very funny man, this week’s Grounded Leader, Stephen Colbert, is quite serious about his career.  His satirical ‘truthiness’ has him filling some really big shoes. CBS recently announced that Colbert has been selected for the coveted position of succeeding David Letterman as the host of the Late Show on CBS when Letterman retires in 2015.

Colbert definitely walks his talk. At University of Virginia’s 2013 Valedictory exercises, in his uncanny style, he advised the school’s top students “… if you must find your own path, and you are left with no easy path, then decide to take the hard path that leads you to the life and the world that you want.” If you read Colbert’s bio, you’ll see he does march to his own drum in an industry where longevity is rare. He has been a staple of the political comedy scene for the past twenty years.  His career success is peppered with honors and awards for his comedy, his writing and producing.  He even won the NASA station name contest in 2009.

While he occasionally gets into trouble for his out-of-context tweets, you will also find Colbert posting motivating tidbits to his younger fans on his Twitter feed. His continuous advice to young people and students is to manage your own career, think for yourself and stay positive. Behaviors you see Colbert demonstrating in his own career.

This week our Grounded Leader is Stephen Colbert for his unparalleled authenticity, the mastery of his craft and his dedication to building a caring community. Through his unique brand of comedy, he is able to challenge people’s minds and engage their hearts.

httpv://youtu.be/kNkxQKGex28