Women in the LEAD

Leading With Vision & Selflessness

“Can you lead your people without seeking to control?  Can you open and close the gates in harmony with nature?  Can you be understanding without trying to be wise?  Can you create without possessiveness?  Accomplish without taking credit?  Lead without ego?  This is the highest power.”

Tao, 10

It is very clear to me at this time that women are ready to move in to their highest power.  We hold the ability to lead empathetically with our eye to the needs of the whole.  Yes, some of us may be controlling or dominating but most of us are highly relational and weave connection and friendships.  Most of us respect harmony and nature and see it as a playground for our children.  It is our work to create without possessiveness, accomplish and share credit and lead as we leave the ego behind.  Women are en essential part of the direction that the world is now moving in.

Of the qualities stated above, which ones do you need to develop more strongly in order to lead with vision and selflessness?

Maureen Simon

We All Live In Suspense

“We all live in suspense, from day to day, from hour to hour; in other words, we are the hero of our own story”.

Mary McCarthy

There is both something wonderful and yet unknown about us being “the hero of our own story”. This idea certainly plays into the blog that I wrote last week on personal responsibility (an issue that the Global Dialogue Center is looking closely at these days- read more on the home page of the site).

If you think about it-- each day that we awaken is a new mystery, a clean pallet of possibility. Do we have a powerful say about the overall direction of the day, of our life? What do we want to create?

I  think that most of us have learned that when try to control our life or destiny life pops up and surprises us with something we, ourselves never dreamed of or expected. Some how it is impossible to see everything and to know all. But it is possible to live with intention and to allow for the mystery, the unexpected. How comfortable are you with the unknown? What story do you now want to write/live?

Maureen Simon

Taking Care Of Our Body

Our bodies are great gifts that serve as a medium for us to live alive, stimulating and purposeful lives.  Each of us is challenged daily to understand what our specific body needs as each individual has very different needs.  It is obvious that movement, healthy food, mental stimulation, abundant self care and lives that hold a balanced amount of stress are all components that contribute to our individual wholeness, but it is our job to listen carefully for what our individual bodies need.

All of the things that we speak about on this blog – leadership, contribution, making a difference can only happen when we launch these great offerings from a solid foundation.  So what are the questions that we need to ask ourselves on a daily basis in order to make sure that we are taking optimal care of ourselves?

• Are you aware of your body’s specific needs?  What are they? 

• What foods do you digest best?  What foods do you need to stay away from?  Are you? 

• Do you drink a lot of water?

• Do you take long walks on a regular basis?  Do you have other ways of exercising and moving your body on a daily basis? 

• How much sleep do you need?  Are you getting it?

• Are there foods you are allergic to?  Are you avoiding them?

• Do you have supportive, caring relationships in your life?

• Do you build your immune system on a regular basis?

• What do you now need to pay attention to – to take optimum care of your body that you have been avoiding or not listening to?

It is so important as we live and serve as leaders or move in to roles of leadership to acknowledge our body’s needs.  For without full respect and care of these sacred gifts, we will not make meaningful contributions.  The world needs all of you now.

Maureen Simon

From Unknowing To Manifestation

“The secret of making something work in our lives, is first of all, the deep desire to make it work:  then the faith and belief that it can work: then to hold that clear definite vision in your consciousness and see it working out step by step, without one thought of doubt or disbelief.”

Eileen Caddy, Footprints on the Path

I appreciate Eileen Caddy’s clear and simple outline for manifestation.  I believe that manifestation really does occur in a simple a fashion as she describes. The path of uncertainty that one is frequently confronted with before one reaches the deep desire to make something work can be challenging and often referred to as “the dark night of the soul”.  It is in the moments of unknowing that we must find our greatest faith and strength.  For when we reach the point where we clearly know what we desire to create or manifest, the dance with the dark night has ceased and many openings and possibilities appear.

If you find yourself in a time of “unknowing” or in a period of mystery, hold true to your deepest faith that this uncertainty will soon become more certain and more clear.  It is a joy to move towards the manifestation stage, but it is equally important to honor its precursor, the stage of unknowing.

Maureen Simon

Women Step Forward and Take Personal Responsibility

We could all benefit from greater collective responsibility expressed through empathy and understanding.  I believe one of the most important things needed in the world today is a greater sense, from each of us, for what it is like to walk in the shoes of the other.  Separateness and superiority have become a way of life, rooted deeply in fear. As a nation we project a sense of righteousness and superiority as if we are the ones to "bring democracy to the world" or "save the world".  I have been deeply contemplating our nation’s recent overtures and actions that have led us to wars because we feel that it is our job to "save other nations -to get them to live or do things more the way fell they should live”. These events have been carried out in the names of, “leadership and responsibility”. I question where is the care for the whole—what is the real motive?

I also question-- is our way of living necessarily "best"? Many aspects of American life are unraveling before our very eyes, prompted by our inability to live and lead from truth and care of the whole, our lack of concern for the physical health of individuals and their lack of access to  healthcare. I wonder—are we capable of providing meaningful leadership to the world?

I believe that when we take personal responsibility in the world we must do so without our personal agenda being the reason that we do so. Can we come out of our selfish needs (ie.,securing oil for the future, our personal need for strategic domination around the globe- to name a few examples) to truly lead? Or can we lead with the actual needs and concerns of the country that we say we are helping?

It is our personal responsibility to move beyond fear, selfushness and superiority to a place of deep understanding and care for the benefit of all.  Women are particularly needed to lead this new way of living/leading as we by the nature of our ability to give birth and to have compassion for all (the whole).  It is my wish that women step forward today and take a greater lead in where our collective (world) is headed. The pay off of us taking this level of personal responsibility will be great.

Maureen Simon

Want to put your mark on history?
Visit the Personal Responsibility Dialogue and share your perspective with the world.
A budding conversation exploring Viktor Frankl's vision: Connecting liberty, freedom and responsibility.

The Small Voice that Guides You

When you talk about what you want and why you want it, there's usually less resistance within you than when you talk about what you want and how you're going to get it. When you pose questions you don't have answers for, like how, where, when, who, it sets up a contradictory vibration that slows everything down”.
Quote selected by Jerry and Esther Hicks
From the workshop recording 1-29-05

                                     

In the past 15 months I have been in a phase of re-creation. I have been looking deeply at where I am in my life and where I am going with my life. This is a process, I have learned, that is not about doing but about being. For much of my life I have manifested and created by pure will and determination. These days I find myself in a more receptive exploration. I am listening and taking time to choose my next steps carefully from information that I am discovering, from with- in --from the fruits of silence. I am now realizing that there are many messages that we do not hear when we are driven in life. I am also realizing that life does not have to be difficult.

This inner inquiry has led me to a deep exploration into what truly I desire in this life and why I desire it. I have relaxed about the questions that I do not have answers to (i.e., how I will achieve this ideal). I noticed that I was spending much time in the ”doing” phase and not truly internalizing my vision or intention for this new phase of my life.

I am pleased to say that I am still in a place of deep inner questioning and listening and am fully allowing myself to feel--  deep informing feelings and to listen to thoughts that arise. I am useing this information as a barometer-as guidance. I am aware that being in a place of not knowing—or in the mystery can be uncomfortable, but without honoring times of where the mystery is deep and unknown we miss so much valuable information- insight

Take a moment and ask yourself –“what do I want now in my life, and why”. Be prepared to hear a small voice that may guide you to your hearts desire. Then trust, much will be revealed. You will find that the how, the where the when and the who will all become clear---in time.

Maureen Simon

WOMEN: Meaning is the HEART of Everything We DO

Once in a while, seemingly by-chance, you get invited to think with others. Personally, I love exploring possibilities with friends or colleagues that meet you on common ground, each coming with their own perspective. Listening to someone else's thinking stretches your mind. It makes you re-evaluate your values, perception and experience ---- taking stock of how you've grown, what you've learned and how much you still have to learn. Recently, I had one of those opportunities. It came unexpectedly with a friend introducing another person's important work. After a round of listening, thinking, questioning and sharing, it was hard to walk away without being enriched, so I thought I would share some meaningful excerpts you may find beneficial.

The TOPIC up for discussion:
DISCOVERING DEEPER MEANING IN LIFE AND WORK

Other Contributors:
Alex Pattakos, Ph.D., Center for Meaning --- The Meaning Difference Blog
Christopher G. Kenny, Partner, Star GROUP LLC --- Profits and Purpose Blog
Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D., TMS Marketing --- Pursuit of Passionate Purpose
NOTE: Chris introduced us to Theresa's work; so she was not really part of the exchange, but gave us a common reference point that made us all think and share.

_____________________________________________________

MEANING FROM SEVERAL POINTS OF VIEW:

**** Increasing Top-Line Revenue the Easy Way
From Theresa Szczurek's newsletter shared by Chris Kenny

"...Theresa Szczurek seems tuned in to the concept of finding a deeper meaning (she uses the term "purpose") in life and in work..."

"...I heard a shocking statistic yesterday in a presentation by Scott McKain. His research shows that only 6% of customers who are satisfied or very satisfied actually return!"

"...Customers buy more when there is a deep, caring relationship with the buyer. Remember from the "Connections Strategy" chapter in Pursuit of Passionate Purpose, people find meaning in life from connections. Meaning is a key ingredient in creating passion — intense enthusiasm, devotion, or liking. YES! That is what you want your customers to be — passionate about your products and services, passionate about doing business with you. "

**** There is meaning in life, in every life, all the time
Insights about meaning shared from Dr. Alex Pattakos

"...one of the basic foundations of Viktor Frankl's logotheory and of my work--'there is meaning in life, in every life, all of the time.' This is the case whether we have (or even can see) a 'passionate purpose' or not, let alone "pursue" one." 

"...my "meaning ministry" is dedicated to ensuring that even those people who have not "found" their purpose in life, recognize that there is a seed of meaning in every moment--even the "bad" ones--of their lives.  Moreover, they have a personal responsibility to discover for themselves what each seed of meaning contains, as well as to learn and grow from this self-discovery process.

In addition, let me leave you with a very, very profound quote from Viktor Frankl that appears at the beginning of Chapter 10 of my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts:

'Don't aim at success--the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it.  For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one's dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one's surrender to a person other than oneself.  Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success; you have to let it happen by not caring about it.' [Emphasis Added]"

**** Meaning is the heart of the highest levels of excellence
Insights on meaning shared by Debbe Kennedy

"...It is clear Theresa Szczurek has a passionate purpose! You can see she is making an important contribution and has made the connection of finding deeper meaning in her own discovery. Because of Viktor Frankl's compelling influence on my life and work, Alex's "meaning ministry" message yesterday is one that speaks to me on many levels. The quote he references from Prisoners of Our Thoughts is also highlighted and underlined and bookmarked in my well-worn Man's Search for Meaning book. There is a sentence that follows that has also been a driving force in my work and life:

"...I want you to listen to what your conscience commands you to do and go on to carry it out to the best of your knowledge."

In my own discovery, that Alex points out that we all own for ourselves, I have found Viktor Frankl's call-to-action to be a compelling call for EXCELLENCE. When I read Theresa's reference to Scott McKain's research showing '6% of customers who are satisfied or very satisfied actually return,' this reinforced this belief once again.

When I was very young, my big brother (a passionate, successful scientist who values meaning) taught me that "Excellence speaks for itself." This was later drilled into me in my years with IBM as you've heard me mention. What I've realized since is that meaning is the heart of the highest levels of excellence. In fact, it has been my experience that finding meaning in every moment of any undertaking, takes EXCELLENCE to new heights, sometimes that even surprise YOU... and when you make it your own brand, it opens doors, it distinguishes your work, and it gives a passionate purpose and meaning to going the extra mile to achieve meaning-filled excellence, even when the world may, in the process, label the small details as mundane, the tedious tasks as unnecessary. As Viktor Frankl says, '...then you will live to see that in the long run---in the long run, I say!---success will follow...'

How does MEANING show up in your life and work?
I look forward to hearing from you!

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the Lead

Learn more about Viktor Frankl at the Global Dialogue Center

Women At the Helm—Do Women Want To Lead at The Top Of Corporations?

…”By 2004, after three decades of the women's movement, when business schools annually graduate thousands of qualified young women, when the managerial pipeline is stuffed with capable, talented female candidates for senior positions, why are there still so few women at the top?

In part, the answer probably still lies in lingering bias in the system. Most women interviewed for this story say that overt discrimination is rare; still, the executive suites of most major corporations remain largely boys' clubs. Catalyst, the women's business group, blames the gap on the fact that women often choose staff jobs, such as marketing and human resources, while senior executives are disproportionately plucked from the ranks of those with line jobs, where a manager can have critical profit-and-loss responsibility. Others fault the workplace itself, saying corporations don't do enough to accommodate women's often more-significant family responsibilities.

All those things are true. But there may be a simpler--and in many ways more disturbing--reason that women remain so underrepresented in the corner office: For the most part, men just compete harder than women. They put in more hours. They're more willing to relocate. They're more comfortable putting work ahead of personal commitments. And they just want the top job more”.

From: Fast Company

Ellen Weinstein

February 2004

“Where are the Women”?

This article has stayed with me for over two years as I am still contemplating –how can we maximize the greatly needed contribution  of masculine and femimine attributes in the leadership of our world if women are not holding positions of voice and power? I must admit our societies are not set up to universally support women in stepping forward, as so many major decisions are made in the locker room and anoung male piers.

I then began to wonder what is needed to make women more interested in the “top”?. I wondered if American women would take on greater leadership roles if their children were near them as they worked. A while back I was spoke to Debbe Kennedy (mu partner on this blog) and she told me about research that she was conducting for a Fortune 100 company where she was deterrmining employee interest in corporate sponsored on-site child care. The feedback that she received was one of disinterest from the employees.

So what is the solution? How can women “show up and contribute to the leadership of the world yet not loose themselves in the process? I believe this is the golden key. All ideas and thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Maureen Simon

An Opportunity For A New Beginning

“The fourth month of the year was named after the Greek goddess, Aphrodite.  The Anglo-Saxons named the month Eastermonath after the goddess Eoste, which is where the word Easter comes from.  The Irish call this month Aibrean.  Also known as the month of the Pink Moon, it is the time of the Earth opening to seeds and the budding of new growth,  The flowers of April are the sweat pea and daisy, and the birthstone is the diamond.  April is also the time of the trickster, the fool, and the god Loki, from northern European traditions, which is shy April 1 is still commemorated as April Fool’s Day.”

From “Sacred Living”, Robin Hereens Lysne

As we move in to this most sacred special time of year and we watch the seeds and buds begin to bring new life, what is the new life that your life is crying for or calling you to?  Where is there new life budding that needs you careful listening or attention?  This spring provides us with a time for renewal and newness.  Evaluate your life and decide to make some new meaningful changes.

Maureen Simon

WOMEN: Changing the World

Oh, I would like to be a part of it, wouldn't you?
Leaving just a little imprint on creating a world that works for everyone.
If we just thought more about each other.
About people we don't know or can't see.
If we just became a little more conscious and aware
About what is happening around us every day.
If we listened more; objected more; paid attention more...

What difference could this make?

If we took time to be informed and to teach others.
It overwhelms me sometimes---I feel helpless and worried.
The small acts of one person seem so insignificant when
you look on at the mess we appear to be in across our
organization, communities, and the world.

Then I recall this story:

The Starfish Story
by Loren Eiseley

"I awoke early, as I often did, just before sunrise to walk by the ocean's edge and greet the new day. As I moved through the misty dawn, I focused on a faint, far away motion. I saw a youth, bending and reaching and flailing arms, dancing on the beach, no doubt in celebration of the perfect day soon to begin.

As I approached, I sadly realized that the youth was not dancing to the bay, but rather bending to sift through the debris left by the night's tide, stopping now and then to pick up a starfish and then standing, to heave it back into the sea. I asked the youth the purpose of the effort. "The tide has washed the starfish onto the beach and they cannot return to the sea by themselves," the youth replied. "When the sun rises, they will die, unless I throw them back to the sea."

As the youth explained, I surveyed the vast expanse of beach, stretching in both directions beyond my sight. Starfish littered the shore in numbers beyond calculation. The hopelessness of the youth's plan became clear to me and I countered, "But there are more starfish on this beach than you can ever save before the sun is up. Surely you cannot expect to make a difference."

The youth paused briefly to consider my words, bent to pick up a starfish and threw it as far as possible. Turning to me he simply said, "I made a difference to that one."

I left the boy and went home, deep in thought of what the boy had said. I returned to the beach and spent the rest of the day helping the boy throw starfish in to the sea."

What small difference will you make today?

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the Lead