Books 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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