PORTAGE – A local author, educator and leadership strategist, Len Clark, Ph.D., earned first place in the Catholic Media Association Book Awards for his book, “Vision, Values, and Victories: Notre Dame-Style Leadership.” The award was announced at the Catholic Media Association’s national conference in Atlantic City, June 16-19.
The idea for the book came about through research in Clark’s Ph.D. program, where he looked at various leadership training programs conducted by former Navy SEAL, Blue Angels pilot and author Jon Maxwell. Clark said the military-based leadership programs were very good. However, since he did not serve in the military, he felt he did not have credibility teaching those lessons, as he was not part of the tradition.
“Maxwell does a great job defining leadership, but my issue is commoditizing leadership,” Clark said. “What did resonate with me was my experience of attending graduate school at Notre Dame, teaching at the university, and covering Notre Dame athletics and focusing on three leaders who had vision and values, which led to victories on and off the field.”
Clark wrote the book for people who want to grow – students, educators, coaches, parish leaders, and “anyone trying to make a difference in their corner of the world.” He hopes that readers will walk away knowing that leadership isn’t complicated.
“It’s not about titles,” he said. “It’s about clarity, consistency and service. If someone finishes the book believing they can lead right where they are, then the message has landed.”
Clark stated many people think leadership is about being in charge. He feels what they miss is that leadership is really about relationships. It’s about listening, communicating clearly and showing up the same way every day.
“The small things – the habits, the tone you set, the way you treat people – those are the real markers of leadership,” he said. “Titles fade. Character doesn’t.”
Clark, a parishioner of Nativity of Our Savior in Portage, shared that his faith kept him grounded throughout the writing process. It reminded him that leadership is ultimately about service and helping others become who they’re called to be. When the work felt heavy, or the direction wasn’t clear, faith provided the patience and perspective he needed. His faith shaped not just the content of the book, but the spirit behind it.
This is Clark’s second book. The first book, a picture book entitled “Teddy and the Gipper: A Notre Dame Friendship,” was written to help him deal with a professional career setback.
Clark currently has a leadership consultancy, du Lac Leadership, where he uses the DiSC personality assessment tool to work with individuals and organizations. He covers Notre Dame athletics for Network Indiana and Indiana SportsTalk. He also teaches at Portage High School, where he quarterbacks a first-of-its-kind leadership program.
Clark acknowledged he doesn't consider himself a writer, but rather a broadcaster, educator and leadership consultant.
He noted receiving a first-place distinction in the Church Professionals book category by the Catholic Media Association was humbling, adding, “You never write a book expecting an award, so to have the Catholic Media Association recognize it was incredibly meaningful.”
Clark said he is grateful for the people who shaped the ideas, for those who encouraged the project and for the readers who found value in it. He feels receiving the award affirmed that the message matters. His original purpose behind entering the book was to get feedback and an outcomes assessment and to help promote the book.
“As you may have heard, writing a book is easy – marketing a book is the challenge,” he said.
Clark credited his mother for her great inspiration. He returned to Portage when she got sick and needed some assistance. They helped each other out, as he would share ideas with her and appreciated her encouragement. His last conversation with her before she died this past January was about a book idea that he has been researching for over 30 years on a Notre Dame priest in the early 1900s. That is his next project.
Clark is also grateful to his girlfriend, Dervilla Flynn, who has been a great help in assisting him with developing an extreme leadership program in Ireland.
For more information, visit https://ndleadershipbook.com/
