Start with Mission
If you spend any time looking at mission and vision statements, it quickly becomes clear that there is no one formula for creating them. In fact, according to Google, there are 220,000,000 answers to the inquiry ‘how to write a mission statement’. Mission statements come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. Long ones, pithy ones,…
Read MoreWhy, How, What?
Simon Sinek did his Tedx Talk about The Golden Circle in 2009. He wrote the book, he coined the term, I always give him credit. I think it’s worth listening to. So here’s the link: https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action?language=en I came to understand a similar idea through my own experience which I’ll explain in a moment. But…
Read MoreFinding Why
“When you know who you are; when your mission is clear and you burn with the inner fire of unbreakable will; no cold can touch your heart; no deluge can dampen your purpose.” Chief Seattle Last week, I challenged you to take a fresh look at your mission statements to see if they are…
Read MoreBooks to Read: Good to Great and the Social Sectors
Many years ago, I read Jim Collins’ book Good to Great and I found it interesting. However, I must admit, beyond the continuing use of the phrase “getting the right people on the bus”, I hadn’t heard or thought of it for some time. Then, a client asked me to use the companion monograph to facilitate a…
Read MoreDo you know your mission?
“We already know our mission.” The person speaking was one of a group of businessmen who were gathered to do strategy work for a non-profit venture they were launching. “We know what we are trying to do.” He didn’t have his arms crossed, but he sounded as if he did. “Great,” I responded. “Then we’re…
Read MoreCreative Leaders
I was admiring my husband’s latest artistic endeavor (the images are pictures of his hand-carved Green Man and multi-media picture) and marveling yet again at the range of his skills and talents, when I complained, “I wish I was creative.” He looked at me in surprise and replied with a comment that I cherish and…
Read MoreIntroducing My Teachers
“Everyone you meet is your teacher.” I can’t find a source for this idea, though it shows up in multiple places with a quick search of the Web. No matter the source, or lack thereof, I have found it to be true in my experience. If I am open to the lesson, every interaction can…
Read MoreThe Gift of Learning
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” President John F. Kennedy Jim Caswell was a life long Mustang. When I went to work with him at SMU (Southern Methodist University), he was Vice President for Student Affairs. I had known him for years through our statewide professional organization, TACUSPA*, but now I was sitting…
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