Editorial: Being a great person made Pradel a great leader

That George Pradel will be deeply mourned and fondly remembered in Naperville and throughout the suburbs is vividly demonstrated in the outpouring of memorials to him following his death from cancer on Tuesday, one day short of his 81st birthday.

But there is a lesson in the life and leadership of Naperville's mayor emeritus that ought to resonate with anyone who seeks to be successful as a city mayor or indeed as a leader in any elected position.

Not that Pradel's rare mix of humor, humility and personal charisma can or should be duplicated by every politician. Among the many themes that pulse through the comments of those who knew him is the warm observation that Pradel was one of a kind. It is in the words from those many other themes that we see the characteristics of Pradel's that other leaders do well to nurture.

He was a cheerleader.

He was a champion.

He was relentlessly positive.

He was tireless, persistent, reliable, respectful, compassionate, giving.

These are traits any leader can strive for and achieve. They are not functions of personality. They are functions of commitment to a cause ahead of oneself.

In a 2005 interview recounted today in Marie Wilson's Daily Herald profile of Pradel, his daughter Carol described his driving message to his family. "This is what you do. You give," Carol Pradel said.

For George Pradel, that greater cause was Naperville, and it is a testament to his unique style of leadership that his 20-year tenure as mayor of a rapidly growing city was never marked by the bitterness of personality politics or struggles over power.

"Mayor Pradel taught me so much about being in public service. It's not always about facts and figures ...," recalled Naperville City Councilman John Krummen.

Reflecting on the impact that great leaders make, DuPage County Board member Tonia Khouri agreed that Pradel's influence went beyond "the institutional workings of Naperville."

"I don't believe there was ever a person who came in contact with Mayor Pradel who did not leave a happier person after meeting him," Khouri said.

Perhaps that kind of personal charm cannot be duplicated by every public servant or every political leader, but inherent in the description are attributes that can - respect for the value of others and a willingness to work honestly and openly toward shared goals of a better future.

Today, we join with thousands throughout the region and the state in mourning the passing of the one-time Officer Friendly who became the longest-serving mayor of one of the nation's premier cities. We extend our condolences to his family and friends. And we urge all public officials to consider that what made George Pradel a great leader was that he was first a great person. If all who aspire to public service at any level would keep that connection in mind, they could not help but benefit the people they serve.