Leadership

Leadership is about the DOING – about aligning ourselves with a high purpose that fulfills our lives – helping others shine. Each of us, at some time in our lives, has been inspired by a great cause, an innovative idea, an emergency that caused us to “jump right in” and be there for others, find resources for others in need, try out for a play, try out for a team, run for the office of our favorite club at school or in business.

KIDS of all ages have taught adults how it is done. They have started charities – started their own businesses (Shark Tank has featured a few). I recall a recent video of a young boy holding his fathers’ hand as they walked along a busy street. He noticed a man sitting on the ground – looking weak- raggedy – sad. He had had his first encounter with a homeless man. He did not walk by – look down on him – or pretend he did not see him. He asked his dad if he could DO SOMETHING for him. Eventually, this little boy started helping more homeless people. There are thousands of examples of kindness and finding the courage to take a risk.

Great leaders inspire others to join them in a high purpose to make a difference

At some point in your life, you may choose to inspire others to join you in a high purpose to make a difference. Your ability to earn the trust and respect of others will determine your success. Your authenticity, knowledge, integrity, ability to communicate and delegate will inspire others to JUMP ON THE BUS OF POSSIBILITY. You are someone who knows how to bring people together to work in harmony for a common purpose.

AND there are times when we will take a stand for something that matters when others choose not to step up. We engage others – collaborate – enrich their lives as they connect with this high purpose, AND THEN…….

Each person on the team will lead based upon their skills and knowledge to further the cause. That has been my personal experience as a leader of others as well as someone who was inspired by a great leader to join The Northern Community Division of OPERATION BREAKBASKET to actively support the hopes and dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King.

We were a group of leaders who worked in harmony to support his dream.

We wrote letters to support legislation that made a difference. We took a stand to save the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs NOT TO DISBAND (They thought the problem of HUNGER IN AMERICA was solved). We held the first Hunger Hearing as citizens in one of the wealthiest communities in the Chicago area (standing room only). 9 government officials attended and Dr. Robert Mendelsohn (author of Who’s Hungry In America) was our moderator.

As a result of that hearing, the Evanston NAACP shared the need for better opportunities for minorities who were shut out from top jobs in banking and entrepreneurs who were rejected for loans.

We were written up in the American Banker as a FIRST…The first positive picket line in 1970 to support the one bank in Evanston that helped minorities. We reached out to the suburban communities to join us one Saturday to deposit money in the Evanston Bank as a symbol of our support. We raised almost $90,000 ($900,000 in value today) one Saturday morning.

My life has been blessed with countless opportunities to lead and help make a difference to feed the hungry – help people get jobs – business loans – save a life – make a life – Make A Wish Foundation – clothe people – give kids hope and self – esteem experiences – teach people to read – support civil rights – take a stand to end racism – help get dates on food products with the National Consumers Union – connect people for business opportunities,

AND GIVE THOUSANDS OF HUGS.

As a leader, speaker, and trainer for over 45 years, I am excited to help re-invigorate managers and leaders with authentic practices THAT WORK – that inspire people to be the best they can be.

My journey as a Leader over the years was given a new set of eyes after participating and being certified in the Tom Peters Leadership Training. Tom Peters Leadership Training is based upon the book THE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, the premier leadership experts. It is based upon more than 11 years of research, from ten thousand leaders and fifty thousand constituents.

As Tom Peters quoted in the foreword, “The Leadership Challenge has lasted, I believe because (1) it is research-based, (2) it is practical, and (3) it has heart.”

One of the exercises in the Leadership Challenge in 1998, was to listen to the “I Have A Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Our homework was to return the next day with our dreams for what is possible as leaders in business.

I heard Dr. King deliver his I HAVE A DREAM speech in 1963. I will never forget the power and impact of the I Have A Dream Speech or the lifetime commitment of Dr. King to bring social and economic justice to ALL PEOPLE.

So, in 1998, when we were given a homework assignment to share OUR DREAMS for what is possible in business, I stayed up most of the night as thoughts poured out from my heart. I created a scrapbook of my dreams for business with unsophisticated illustrations.

When I shared it with the other participants the next day, the facilitator was moved by my simple, heartfelt book of dreams. She said, “Fern, there’s a book in there!” I replied, “What I wrote has been written about over and over again. There’s nothing new in here! It just comes from my heart.” She asked for a copy of my scrapbook to share with future participants.