Is Jim Whitehurst a great leader?

Ask him and he’s likely to blush.

He is confident, not arrogant.

On Tuesday, Red Hat (NYSE: RHT) unveiled a new business process management suite and also announced further security acceptance for its “cloud” computing offerings. Yes, the Hatters continue to grow at a relentless pace. More products, More revenues. More profits.

Spearheading the drive is Whitehurst, the CEO. He’s leading the company to places it has never been – and in a blog post on Wednesday morning the affable exec with the boyish grin explains the secrets to his success.

“Great leaders are comfortable with who they are,” reads the headline on the post.

Anyone can see that in the way Whitehurst handles himself in public – or in a “live” interview with a TV host such as Jim Cramer on Mad Money. Whitehurst loves the one-on-ones. He even praises Cramer, saying “He does his homework.” That means Whitehurst must be ready for answers – and he is. 

At public events, he is approachable and engages eagerly in conversations. Talking – or even trying to – with other CEOs can be hazardous to your health. His commitment to leadership extends beyond Red Hat to support for greater economic development in his adopted home state and striving to improve education.

In some ways, Whitehurst is as different from his predecessors – the downright funny Bob Young and the gregarious, stage-taking evangelist Matthew Szulik – as night is from day. But each has something in common: Block by block, they built Red Hat into a powerhouse.

So what’s the secret to Whitehurst’s success? It boils down to one word.

“Over the last 25 years of my career—from serving as a partner at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), to my time at Delta Air Lines, to my current role as president and CEO of Red Hat—I’ve been exposed to my fair share of leaders. I’ve learned that leaders and leadership styles can vary greatly depending on the company culture, industry and size, but there’s one commonality I’ve noticed among all of them: to be effective, leaders must be respected.”

R-e-s-p-e-c-t is a big word. 

What was it Aretha Franklin sang?

“R E S P E C T

“Find out what it means to me

“R E S P E C T”

More Than a Title

So how do leaders earn respect?

Whitehurst writes that more than a CEO title is required.

“In truth, nobody respects a position,” he writes. “People respect people. By watching leaders around me, I’ve gleaned a few important takeaways about both leadership and respect that are worth sharing.”

Amen, brother.

“Respect has to be earned,” Whitehurst continues.

So what’s the secret in the Red Hat tower?

“In today’s workforce, creativity is a critical skill. I strive every day at Red Hat to be a catalyst with our associates to fuel and spark their creativity and not stifle it by simply telling people what to do. At Red Hat, where we believe in meritocracy and celebrating the best ideas no matter where they come from in the organization, that wouldn’t work.”

He cites three key factors in winning respect:

  • “First, you have to show passion.”
  • “Second, leaders must demonstrate confidence.” (Note: He warns confidence is “not to be confused with cockiness.”)
  • “Lastly, leaders have to engage their people.”

Be sure to read the full post on lineCheck out more than a decade of Red Hat stories as reported in WRALTechWire.]