3 Lessons I Learned From Senator Howard Baker on his 100th Birthday

November 15^th marked what would have been Howard Baker’s 100^th birthday.

Howard Baker was one of my most significant mentors. A tremendous public servant and Tennessee statesman, and my predecessor as U.S. Senate Majority Leader, he was the epitome of the “citizen-legislator” and a model to which every American can aspire. He represented the best of our nation.

Before I ever put my name on a ballot – I sought out his counsel.

On the campaign trail in 1994 running for the US Senate, with former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker.

Here are three lessons I learned from Leader Baker that still guide me today:

1. Serve your country as a “Citizen-legislator.” Come to elected office after building your career, enact laws focused on the people you represent (rather than what will win you the next election), and then return to a productive career outside of politics, to live under the laws that you passed. We have moved too far away from the non-career politician.

2. “Tell the truth, whether you have to or not. Remember that your word is your only currency; devalue it and your effectiveness as a Senate leader is over.” This recommendation is a part of Leader Baker’s famed “Baker’s Dozen” list for effective Senate leadership. But being a man or woman of your word is a guiding principle that goes well beyond elected office. We as a nation are experiencing a crisis of trust, with record loss of trust in our legislative bodies, in our judicial systems and law enforcement, in science and medicine, in the media, in religion, and in government writ large. We don’t even trust our neighbors as we once did. Changes in technology and the ways we communicate (asynchronous via text or email or on social media rather than face to face), have degraded human connection and increased distrust and misinformation. Having faith in and compassion for our fellow man is vital to the fabric of our communities and our nation, and it starts with open and honest dialogue.

Bipartisanship in action: On Air Force One with President Bill Clinton, Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, and former Republican Leader Howard Baker.

3. “Listen more often than you speak” and “Have a genuine and decent respect for differing points of view.” Two more recommendations from his “Baker’s Dozen list, Baker memorably said, “You should always go through life working on the assumption that the other guy might be right.” The dignity and respect, and genuine interest he had for his fellow man is one we should all aspire to live by. And it’s something we desperately need in our politics and our daily lives today. No one person or party has a monopoly on good ideas.

Undoubtedly, this approach was the difference-maker for me in passing effective, bipartisan laws. As a U.S. Senator and Senate Majority Leader, I regularly sought out counsel from members across the aisle. The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 – which established the Medicare prescription drug plan and Medicare Advantage – was better (and bipartisan!) because of the thoughtful debate and negotiations I had with Senator Ted Kennedy. The PEPFAR program to turn the tide on the HIV/AIDS pandemic, saving over 25 million lives across the globe, was possible in part by years of bipartisan work between myself, conservative Senator Jesse Helms, and liberal leaders Senator John Kerry and then-Senator Joe Biden. Today, perhaps my closest friend from my years in the Senate is former Democratic Leader Tom Daschle. We don’t agree on everything, of course, but we both share a deep interest in improving the health and well-being of all Americans, and that basic shared goal has fostered a lasting working relationship and true friendship. I’m glad we both took the time to listen to one another.

Meeting with Howard Baker and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the Senate Leadership offices in the US Capitol. In the background: Luke Doramus, Nick Rowland, Rob Schimmel and Machir Stull.

Howard Baker was a giant of the U.S. Senate. He is a reason our children breathe clean air, thanks to his landmark Clean Air Act of 1970. His legacy is one of civility, integrity, humility, and service. He smartly counseled us all to listen, to learn from different perspectives, and always keep our word. For his 100th birthday, let’s each commit to be of service, to take time to truly listen to the people around us, and have an open-minded conversation with someone who sees things differently—acknowledging that they just might be right.