Years ago I was in a new role and at the last minute discovered that one of my “other duties as assigned” was to lead a service project at a summer camp before it opened each year.
So I made a few phone calls to invite some people to join me. One of the calls was to a young mother that I had just met. Two years later as I prepared for a move, that woman came to see me.
She emphasized the importance of that invitation and stressed that it was the spark that ignited her fire.
Prior to that call she had been thinking about changing her membership, and going somewhere else. After being invited to participate and making one personal connection with someone, she got more involved. As more time passed her sense of belonging and her ownership in the future of the organization increased.
And it all started with a personal invitation.
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A few years ago my husband and I vacationed in Paris. We went for adventure, for love, for history… It was my first trip “across the pond” and although I was anticipating romance, joy, and the wonder of the old buildings, old streets and art.
I was NOT anticipating a leadership lesson…
Everyone recommended touring the Gardens at The Palace of Versailles. However, before we went, I did no research so I was completely unprepared for what I saw.
The gardens:
- Are on 800 hectares, which is the equivalent of 1,976 acres of land in the United States.
- Have over 200,000 trees and over 210,000 flowers.
- Maze-like hedges are lined with marble statues.
- Each path leads to one of 50 gorgeous water fountains.
- In the middle of the gardens lies a cross-shaped Grand Canal for boating and fishing.
- And situated on these spectacular grounds are the Palace, the Grand Trianon and Marie-Antoinette’s Estate.
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& PEOPLE that want to make a greater difference…
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Are you convinced that you and your team are capable of making a bigger difference? …For each other? …For your organization? …For your community? Do you dream of working for an organization that is committed to Character-Based Leadership? But you’re concerned that you don’t have the position or power to make change happen?
I’ve been where you are. And learned to lead system-wide change from the middle and the edge of the organizations I served in. This keynote and workshop provides real examples and strategies for learning to lead change right where you are.
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Chery, Today was a hit! You were a delight and commanded the attention of all. We’ll be a better company. The feedback has been fantastic! Thank you for sharing your time with us. Teresa Knox
Founder and Former CEO – Community Care College, Clary Sage College, OK Technical College
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After the event:
- Your team will know they matter. (And so do the people next to them!)
- They’ll know how important their knowledge, experience and perspectives are – and have new reasons to seek out the knowledge, experience and perspectives of others.
- And they’ll leave with increased energy, new strategies and the desire to make a greater difference.
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We’ve all been there…
When our boss hires a friend:
- Then the friend leverages that relationship to charm their way out of responsibility and accountability.
When laws are created for the good of all:
- But certain groups are consistently exempt from the law.
When an executive relocates:
Inconsistency is unfair and confusing. It creates stress, erodes trust, increases frustration, wears people out, decreases ownership and limits potential.
On the flip side of that, fairness:
I recently visited a high school that has invested years teaching their students to be activists.
While that effort alone is impressive. The uncommon skill they are teaching, and modeling for the students is even more so.
Through instruction and experience, their students are learning that a healthy culture is a balanced culture. And that in a balanced culture it is possible to think critically and to be compassionate.
They are learning how to shine a bright light on truth with data and personal experiences. …While getting involved with, and loving people that have made choices they disagree with.
They are engaging people and growing their cause because of their unique approach. And the impact they are having on the students, families and the community is beyond impressive.
What those students and their families may not realize:
- Is that it is uncommon it is to learn to balance challenging concepts.
- This skill will benefit every part of their lives in the years to come. (As individuals. with their families, in the businesses and non profits they will serve and within the communities and nation they will live in.)
Now imagine the cultures you are a part of:
Are Truth and Love strategically poured into the foundation and the future?
So I made a few phone calls to invite some people to join me. One of the calls was to a young mother that I had just met. Two years later as I prepared for a move, that woman came to see me.