Leadership Wholeness

In one's lifetime, a few people step onto your path that leave enduring influences. For me, Francis Hesselbein is one of those very special role models. In her recent article she shares her sage advice about Seeing Life Whole during this times when our lives are so filled. She is a woman, who always has time for living, caring, sharing with others and for being an exemplary leader. Below is an excerpt from her article.

"...seeing things whole is not just the imperative of business, government, and social sector leaders; the overarching, overriding imperative of seeing things whole rests with you and me. Seeing our lives whole is an even greater challenge than seeing our world of work whole.

How many times do we hear and talk about work-life balance, finding the delicate balance of family, friends, the people we love and who love us, and the colleagues who share our passion for the mission of the enterprise we lead and help lead? And then there's that other, further dimension, where we try to make a difference, work to change lives in the organizations we choose to serve, and volunteer in community efforts to move beyond the walls and build the healthy, inclusive community that cares about all of its people.

Add rock-climbing, tennis, 20 laps around the pool, running through Central Park at dawn, and we carry a big basket. How do we balance our lives in this miraculous wholeness with rich and varied dimensions of family, friends, colleagues, careers, service, physical and psychic energy, and spiritual and intellectual calling?

Read Frances Hesselbein's Seeing Life Whole -  entire article.

Frances Hesselbein is editor-in-chief of Leader to Leader, chairman of the board of governors of the Leader to Leader Institute, and former chief executive of Girl Scouts of the USA. She is also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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Debbe Kennedy