Week 21.16 - Thank you, Frances

I have been on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster this past week. I am not exactly sure what is going on, it would certainly be easy to pin the blame on the pandemic and the uneasy feeling of impending relief that is not yet here. Contributing factors are certainly the trial in Minneapolis, the epidemic of mass killings, and even the rash of laws oppressing transgender youth, which even as I write this feels oddly political which in itself feels startling. Or it could be the way the joy and appreciation of the vaccine rollout in the US shines a bright light on the imbalance of wealth and resources between the US and the rest of the world. 

More likely, it is a series of smaller events that are causing my usually stable inner emotional gyro to spin a little off access. I am particularly sensitive to what I consider important emails that are not answered (full disclosure: I admit I am guilty of this also!) of work delayed and of work with near-term deadlines. I am off-kilter because of some great opportunities that are presenting themselves that may cause me to make some important decisions which invariably will mean not doing something I would like to do. My joints ache a little. My weight is a little high. And if you stop reading now I don't blame you.

So I turned to the wisdom of Frances Hesselbein. Frances Hesselbein is the President and CEO of The Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute, founded as The Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management, and renamed in 2012 to honor Frances Hesselbein’s legacy and ongoing contributions. Mrs. Hesselbein was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States of America’s highest civilian honor, by President Clinton in 1998 for her leadership as CEO of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. from 1976-1990 as well as her service as “a pioneer for women, volunteerism, diversity, and opportunity.” Her contributions were also recognized by the first President Bush, who appointed her to two Presidential Commissions on National and Community Service. 

Here is some of her wisdom that is helping me rebalance:

- When you see a roadblock or challenge as an opportunity, it is amazing how you are already halfway there.

- We do not know what lies ahead, yet whatever the challenge, leaders will rise, finding the heart, the language, the caring that embraces and sustains.

- Simple questions can be profound, and answering them requires us to make stark and honest - and sometimes painful - self-assessments.

Frances turns 105 1/2 on Sat, May 1, 2021. I find her wisdom, compassion, and the clarity of her purpose to help rebalance me and I hope that if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, it will help you. 

Week 20/52 weeks of giving: Provide Gift & food to 700 Street Children

In memory of Niti Chhaya who started service initiatives for the homeless in Philadelphia and travel programs for senior citizens. Having grown up in the heart of Mumbai, saw street children and poverty every day, and she hated seeing them suffer. Providing food to street children is a cause she would feel very strongly about plus she was such a mother figure and caregiver. Anyone who would like to honor the memory of Nihar’s mother may choose to give to this Global Giving project to feed 700 street children (https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/provide-gift-and-food-to-poor-children/)

Goldsmith :: Hesselbein

From Marshall: PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO. I LOVE FRANCES. SHE IS THE GREATEST LEADER - AND PROBABLY THE GREATEST PERSON - I HAVE EVER MET. https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/marshallgoldsmith_girlscouts-battlecry-leadership-ugcPost-6786316295316021248-x_fY Then answer this question. What Is Your Battle Cry?

Frances Hesselbein has three battle cries that inspire her leadership: Be Positive! Bright Future! And To Serve Is To Live! What are yours? In this series, Frances (who Peter Drucker said is one of the greatest leaders he ever met) shares with us the important leadership lessons she has learned during her time as CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA and as President and Chairman of The Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute.

Sudhir finally launches his podcast: Sudhir Breaks the Internet Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Our good friend Columbia University sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh studies exclusive worlds by embedding himself — with a crack-selling gang, sex workers, the teenage children of billionaires, and most recently, at the highest levels of companies at the vanguard of the digital revolution, including Facebook and Twitter. And now he’s hosting a podcast. In each episode, Venkatesh will reveal what he learned in Silicon Valley and talk with the people he met along the way who are building and running the digital world, and those who are using it in a signal way, digging deep into their motivations and challenging their priorities. Sudhir Breaks the Internet is a production of the Freakonomics Radio Network.

Marina Cvetkovic: Taking Executives and Leadership Teams on the Journey from Good to Great

2021 is becoming a milestone year for Marina Cvetkovic. While the 37-year-old is clearly not short of them in a life of unimaginable purpose, it may just be that the award-winning executive coach, board advisor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist finally finds herself coming full circle.This latest chapter began last year, when Marina took on a role as a Co-CEO of Heimann Cvetkovic & Partners, a boutique executive advisory firm, bringing together the world’s leading experts in leadership alliances. This was the year in which Marina started her portfolio career, adding the Chief Commercial Officer role as well at The NextGen Project to her portfolio. https://cioviews.com/taking-executives-and-leadership-teams-on-the-journey-from-good-to-great/

And, as always, thank you, Marshall, for making all of this possible.

With love and gratitude

Scott