#OnBecoming

“Becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self.” ~Michelle Obama

I’ve been fortunate over the course of my career to spend time with notable leaders and visionaries from various walks of life. One of my most favorite things to do is to share in these experiences and discussions with my clients, partners, and teams. Recently, at our third annual AT&T Business Summit, I was honored to sit down for a fireside chat with Mrs. Michelle Obama, our 44th First Lady and celebrated author. Did you know her memoir, “Becoming”, topped the New York Times Best Seller list, selling more copies than any other book published in the United States in 2018 – achieving that status in just 15 days? To say I was excited to talk to her would be a massive understatement.

Where does one begin? How many topics could possibly be discussed in an hour? Well, we covered quite a bit of ground. And while “Becoming” is not a “leadership book” per se, I would say that many of her life insights and reflections are very much appropriate for business leaders and anyone else for that matter – which no doubt is evidenced by the popularity of not only her memoir, but also her book tour.

Some key thoughts to share:

-     Box-checking vs. Swerving – No doubt many of us have gone through our lives “checking the box”, whether it was in how we approached school or how we pursued our careers, especially in the early years. Mrs. Obama’s perspective on the role her husband played in helping her become more of a “swerver” in her life was instructive for all of us, especially with respect to the role others play in our choices, decisions, and actions. I enjoyed her characterization of this evolution in her approach to life, and especially now as an empty nester, becoming more of a “swerver”. (Which I liken to following your gut and heart and going with the flow – vs. letting your brain and logic dominate.)

-     Dealing with Adversity – It’s hard to imagine the breadth and depth of adversity that Mrs. Obama faced throughout her journey. When asked about how she deals with it, and especially the naysayers, her guidance was clear – to focus on what you can control, to focus on your words and your actions, and to continue to “go high”. (I’ve always said to my teams that when there’s a fork in the road that’s a difficult one to decide between, take the high road – it’s always the right one.)

-     Authenticity – This is perhaps the core theme, lesson, and golden thread running through Mrs. Obama’s memoir and throughout her life. Whether it was during her childhood or over the course of numerous political campaigns to her time in the White House to her life today – there’s no question that she is unwaveringly Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama. The power in being yourself – and living your own unique journey – is the essence of each of us truly “becoming”. This was a beautiful and powerful sentiment that resonated with our audience – filled with thousands of business professionals from all around the globe across industries, sectors, and roles. (As I’ve gotten older and perhaps even more comfortable with my own authenticity, it’s become clear to me that we are each our own unique competitive advantage – which is a fact that everyone should embrace.)

It was truly an honor to facilitate this fireside chat with Mrs. Obama. Based on the feedback I received from our audience, I know numerous pearls of wisdom and gems of learning were gifted to many. And most importantly, this discussion clearly helped us see that we are all simply becoming…how every journey is individually unique and impactful on purpose…and how it is up to us to create the future we desire – not only for ourselves but the world around us.