Clyde Lear is the retired Chairman and CEO of Learfield Communications, Inc.; a company he started in 1972 as an outgrowth of his master’s project at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
For competitive reasons, the company changed from a radio company to a marketing company in the mid-1980s. It now exclusively handles stadium and arena signage, game day activities with advertisers, game program printing and sales, corporate hospitality and—in many venues—food and beverage sales.
Lear received a Masters degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Missouri in 1968 and an AB degree in 1966 from Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri. He attended high school in Jefferson City where he was born in 1944.
Lear, along with his wife Sue, has worked tirelessly for young people across Missouri. In Jefferson City, they helped other volunteers bring the faith-based organization Young Life to three local high schools and then to Columbia area high schools. Having served as chair for many years, they continue as committee members today. As a contribution to the state, he has been central to the annual Governor’s Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values—now in its 31st year, beginning in 1987. That three-day event, scheduled around the Missouri Governor’s Prayer Breakfast each January, brings college juniors from each of Missouri’s four-year colleges and universities to Jefferson City to consider leadership from a different perspective: servant leadership, using the person of Jesus as an example. Each Governor since 1987 has thrown himself into this ecumenical, non-dogmatic effort that has had significant impact in these young lives.
His greatest love is mentoring. He and Sue use the company and other opportunities as platforms to develop outstanding executives and leaders. He gives significant time to helping college age—and post college age–men and women grow personally and professionally.
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Show Notes:
- Biggest tip is to be enthusiastic .
- Gained a lot of sales experience as a door to door salesman.
- Chose Central Methodist College because of his girlfriend Sue and because they had a pre-dental program.
- He got involved with the on campus radio station and loved it.
- Received his Masters in Journalism from the University of Missouri.
- Started an Agricultural Network with Derry Brownfield.
- Learfield Sports started by accident. Started by just leasing statewide radio lines to the University of Missouri and has grown to the nation’s leader in sports marketing.
- Clyde has a great passion for mentorship.
- He started to walk in a covenant relationship with men from his company.
- That grew into having more people and then helping mentor young men in how to do the same.
Clyde’s Maxims (12 things that he would like young men to consider)
- Be a man of prayer
- Be fully reconciled
- Follow your instincts try to not be risk averse
- Be decisive
- Give gifts as often as you can
- Have covenant relationships
- Write hand written thank you notes
- Act enthusiastic and you will be enthusiastic
- Celebrate and enjoy your failures
- Be sexually clean
- Honor women
- Keep journals
Annually change your Maxims
Clyde Lear’s Recharge Round
- Share with us how you believe your mindset affects your life? Be a man of prayer. Go to the Lord every day.
- What do you do daily to bring Energy into your life? Look in the mirror say I feel happy, I feel terrific, I feel excited
- Share the number one connection that has made the biggest impact on your life? Parents
- What advice has Influenced you the most in your life? Skills from selling books door to door
- Recommend a book and share why you love it? Eric Matatis books called “7 men” and “7 women”
- Define in one sentence or less what legacy you want to leave on the world? I want my children and grandchildren to look at who he is and say that he was on to something.
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I can’t wait to see you here next Monday! CHARGE! Make it a GREAT day!
OH MY SOUL, I enjoyed this so much!! It was my pleasure to meet Derry Brownfield in May of 2001. He and his wife Verna introduced me to Clyde and Sue not long after that. On several occasions over the years I have again bumped into them over town, just Friday night at the Gala was one of them. When I spoke to Clyde, I told him I was looking forward to this podcast. Truthfully it has made my day!!! Thank you for loving JESUS and not being afraid to say so!!
Thank You for the God honoring, inspiring words of wisdom!
Thank You for your God honoring, inspiring thoughts!
CLYDE LEAR: MENTORING AT ITS BEST
Recently, I received an email from Gary Wilbers about the new emphasis of his company “CHARGE in Business and Life”. He specifically wanted to talk about being a Mentor, which is defined as an experienced and trusted adviser. What immediately caught my attention was the mentoring podcast he had just finished with the marvelous Clyde Lear.
INSPIRATIONAL . . . the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative!!! That was my reaction throughout the 36-minute podcast with Clyde, who has been a very successful businessman, an enthusiastic community leader, a faithful family man, an evangelistic supporter of young men, and yet a humble man who has been helpful to many. This was certainly the best part of my day.
I was particularly impressed by Clyde’s Maxims, which are 12 things that he would like young men to consider. He included truisms like “be a man of prayer” and “have covenant relationships”, and others that provides great advise and reminders to all of us to help us create a better and more meaningful life. These are great examples of what mentoring is really all about, and it makes me want to a better mentor for others.
The format of this online page from Ascend Business Strategies was also particularly well done. This second episode of the CHARGE podcast series opens with an overview of Clyde Lear’s life and achievements, highlighting specific educational, business and mentoring information. Following this is the ability to subscribe to this service on iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play, or to immediately listen to the podcast online in my browser. Show Notes are shown below this providing key bullets of important points made during the podcast, plus a list recommendations made during the discussion.
The wrap-up for this website is the Recharge Round which asks key questions about what influenced the interviewee’s life in terms of mindset, energy, connections, advice, books and legacy. Clyde said he wanted his legacy to the world to be:
“I want my children or grandchildren to look at who he is and say that he was on to something.”
I was certainly on to something when I invested quality time in this podcast, which I would highly recommend to anyone. Comment opportunities were provided at the end of this webpage, showing that feedback is welcomed.
This specific podcast about Clyde Lear can be seen and heard at http://418.fbc.mywebsitetransfer.com/ep-002-clyde-lear/?utm_content=176475&utm_medium=Email&utm_name=Id&utm_source=Actionetics, or the entire CHARGE series can be accessed at http://418.fbc.mywebsitetransfer.com/podcast/.