Women in the LEAD

Remembering My MOM: Lasting Impressions

My mom's been gone a long time now.

Maydelle had a unique spirit all her own. She was a little over five feet tall. She developed her own "style of beauty" as she called it and it came with her share of complexities. She did have a way of brightening a room that needed it now and then. A friend's first impression of her at a gathering one time in her mid-life always stayed with me. He said, "I watched your mother floating around tonight in her blue dress. I felt sure any minute, she would be bursting out to say, 'Life is a big balloon!'"

I'm grateful to have some very special memories of being with her. I wrote about this one memory a couple years ago, but for some reason it has been ever present in my mind recently...and of course, as we circle around in reflection, after new growth of our own, we often see things in a different light. :-) So I added a few details that seemed important to include.

MORNING RITUAL
When I was a very little girl, I wore my hair in French braids. There are only two things that made me endure the painful hair pulling this daily process involved:

One was knowing how very much my dad loved my hair in French braids. Mostly, I think he loved me...and anything perceived to be French. Our family name: DeVoe. He was gone a lot at the time, so I'm assuming that it made him somehow seem near to do something I knew made him very happy.

The other reason was the special morning ritual with my mother as she braided my hair. To help me through the process, my mom called upon a skill she learned in childhood herself. When she was twelve years old, she had a radio show in Bangor, Maine and she did "readings." When she braided my hair, she often would recite one of her childhood readings or a special poem she had done on her show.

My favorite reading was the one about a little boy with a new baby brother. It's a bit of a heart-wrenching tale... It's message was forever burned in my brain and I admit had influences on how I expressed my joy over the years. My mom would tell the story with a kind of a sing-songy rhythm with emphasis and expression in the perfect places as she recited it. The version below is close...

Maydelle's Reading

The other day my daddy bought a brand new motor car. The old one's not worn out yet; but you know how daddies are.

I can't help feeling sorry for that poor old car know;
For just as we got use to it and liked it, it must go.

Today I went to see it and I patted all its wheels;
and it looked so sad and sorrowful ...And I know just how it feels.

For the other day my mommy had a quite new baby boy;
and everyone made such a fuss; I thought they would burst with joy!

I can't help thinking of what happened to our poor old car you see;
For I'm 'fraid they'll sell the old one and that of course is me.

EPILOGUE:
What surprises me most is that I can remember this much of it from memory. I was less than five years old when she began reciting it to me. I guess we don't know the little things we do that make lasting impressions on our children ...and on others.

I'm remain grateful for the time she spent with me back then.
It's nice to think about now.

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the Lead
Author, Putting Our Differences to Work

May 08, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Tags: debbe kennedy, inspiration, mother's day, self-help, women's development

WOMEN: Letting Your Light Shine

I would guess if we sat down together, we would discover that most of us have longed at one time or another for acceptance, struggling to overcome the fear of what others think of us. I think this is a pretty common experience for most women ---- and perhaps men too.

One time, a mentoring partner gave me a book and tape called The Simple Path by Mother Teresa. One of my favorite messages in the book has helped me out many times when a wave of doubt caught me by surprise. I share it with you...

Deliver me, from the desire of...
being loved.
being extolled.
being honored.
being praised.
being preferred.
being approved.
being popular.

Deliver me from the fear of ...
being despised.
suffering rebukes.
being forgotten.
being wronged
being ridiculed.
being humiliated.
being suspected.

Interestingly, when you can let go of these longings and fears --- reaching inward, reaching out, reaching HIGHER, your life and work are opened to flow from the heart as intended. Good follows good. When our intentions are clouded by self-interests, it makes it difficult to let our Light shine.

Today, in a conversation with pianist and music educator, Jessica Roemischer, I was reminded of how quickly we can reach self-acceptance. As we talked, I remembered the miracle that takes place when she works with her students --- in just a few minutes, in a welcoming environment of belief and possibility, they reach inside to discover their own brand of greatness. Notice I didn't say hours or months of grueling work ... in just minutes, when we decide, the transformation can begin to take place. I, too, have witnessed this happen in my own work with dialogue across the world. It is a miracle available for all of us. Something magical happens when we have the opportunity to dwell in Possibility.

Have you had this experience yourself?

If not, and it seems far-fetched, I encourage you to inspire yourself by visiting Jessica's moving exhibit at our Women's Gallery at the Global Dialogue Center. It pays tribute to her remarkable work, showing us the transformative power of music ...and the heart. We named the exhibit "DIFFERENCES in DUET." It features a beautiful self-learning visual exhibit, music, videos to watch, my personal interview with her, and links to her website and other resources. Be sure to put your headset on and let her amazing rendition of "When You Wish Upon A Star" guide you as you explore all the exhibit has to offer.

As I finish this, I keep thinking of my favorite childhood song, this little Light of mine, I'm going to let it Shine. Spring is a great time for this kind of renewal.

Warm regards to all who stop by...

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
founder, Global Dialogue Center
home of Women in the LEAD
author, Putting Our Differences to Work:
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance

May 05, 2010 in Books, Current Affairs, Music, Religion, Women's Development, Women's Leadership | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Tags: books, debbe kennedy, inspiration, music, women development, women's leadership

Great Leaders BELIEVE in PEOPLE

Having someone believe in us changes how we respond to the challenges of leadership. It's empowering. During these challenging times, insight from Margaret Wheatley's book, Finding Our Way: Leadership for an Uncertain Time affirms this truth.

"Leaders who have used more participative, self-organizing approaches tell of how astonished they are by the capacity, energy, creativity, commitment and even love they receive from people in their organizations. ...As leaders honor and trust the people who work for them, they unleash startling high levels of contributions and creativity."

Have you worked in such a place? I remember that wonderful feeling as a young leader at IBM. I had moved from a line management position to a regional staff assignment with an upward momentum firmly in my mind. My manager was amazing in how he so easily seemed to demonstrate his trust in me. It was as if he thrust me out and up in front of him to fly. His belief in me made all things seem possible. It opened up the way for contributions to be made and created a sense of responsibility inside me that I could no longer let fear hold me back. The best part is that he modeled LEADERSHIP for me every day. I still carry his influences.

Concerns for people have taken some drastic hits in recent years and certainly during the the current economic downturn. As we look toward a new year, we all have an opportunity to renew our commitment to those who look to us for leadership. To be at the top of our leadership game, we need to master the art of knowing people and drawing them together in ways that inspires innovation at a new levels and help them soar to reach their own potential. This is a leader's role and to achieve it, we have to be conscious of our behavior and example. In my book, Putting Our Differences to Work, I describe the significance...

People are the number one source of new thinking and new ideas needed for change and the betterment of business and society. Putting our differences to work means learning to work more effectively in ways that accelerate our capacity to innovate, influence, and bring value to the marketplace, workplace, and society. It is our intention and behavior that breathe life into the words and give them meaning.

Who believes in you?

How are you manifesting belief in others?

Warm wishes to you all...

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the Lead
www.globaldialoguecenter.com/women
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership
and High Performance

Twitter @debbekennedy

April 26, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Tags: authors, books, leadership, women, women's development, women's leadership

WOMEN: Loving Our Earth; Loving One Another

There are compelling reasons for us to commemorate EARTH DAY 2010 with a special pause --- a recognition --- a full appreciation that what started with one person's IDEA to put the environment into our public consciousness and dialogue over 40 years ago has today turned into an event and a cause that is now celebrated by over 500 million people around the world.

To begin my personal tribute, Mother Earth, a beautiful original oil painting by Sally K. Green (shown on left) says it all for me. Sally writes about the work to set the stage...

"Inspired from my heart. I see Mother Earth asking us to do our part to love our planet -- to be better stewards of the earth and to love one another as we travel through." --- Sally K. Green

To bring Sally's vision to life with a living example --- one that demonstrates how women are being better stewards of the earth and are loving one another as they travel through life, below is a video that you won't want to miss. The video tells a recent story about the Women's Earth Alliance, a remarkable organization that started with the vision of Melinda Kramer, a young woman with a very big dream. I had the good fortune to meet her just a few years back when her plans were just beginning to unfold. What you will see in meeting her and the accomplished, committed women working with her to change the world one village, one community at time, will warm your heart and make you want to get involved yourself.

Celebrate Earth Day by watching this remarkable story...

LEARN MORE ....

Women's Earth Alliance
WEA Team
Their remarkable history
How they work
Ways to participate
Make a special contribution
Twitter @WomensEarthAlly
Visit WEA website: http://www.womensearthalliance.org/

Sally Green's artistry, the Women's Earth Alliance West African Women and Water Training Program and the commemoration of Earth Day 2010 demonstrate still another affirmation that putting our differences to work is the fastest way to innovation, leadership, and high performance. Amen.

May we all love our Earth and love one another more.

Warm regards,
Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the Lead
www.globaldialoguecenter.com/women
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership
and High Performance
Twitter @debbekennedy

April 21, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Tags: art, debbe kennedy, earth day, women's earth alliance, women's leadership

WOMEN: Dr. Dorothy Height's Enduring Message to US

IN COMMEMORATION: The civil rights movement lost its founding matriarch early Tuesday morning. Dr. Dorothy I. Height, who fought for social justice and equality most of her life on behalf of women, people of color, and all people, died at the age of 98.

Just about a year ago, at age 97, Dr. Dorothy Height stopped at an airport enroute on a business trip to join us ONLINE. "I wanted to stop by to say hello to all my sisters," she told us. She gave the memorable executive keynote welcome address at our ONLINE global women's conference, It's a NEW DAY! celebrating International Women's Day. It was powerful and timeless. She helps us see our strengths and the important role we play in creating a better world --- a message to keep with us. We remain grateful to have been directly touched by her influence. LEARN WHY...

Learn more...
Dr. Dorothy Height's biography of remarkable contributions in a lifetime dedicated to social justice for women, people of color, and all people: http://www.ncnw.org/about/height.htm

Visit our It's a NEW DAY! Center...
includes handouts, tool, links to inspire you.
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/women/new-day.shtml

Do you have a special memory of Dorothy Height's influence on you? Keep it with you. Share it with others. Cherish it.

Warm regards,

Debbe

Twitter @debbekennedy

April 20, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Tags: debbe kennedy, dorothy height, leadership, social justice, women's leadership

WOMEN: Discovering Differences in Duet

It is interesting how GOOD we are for one another. I've believed this for a long time, but in the last few years, the reality of it has continued to show up on my path in new and different ways. Each of them linked by a common thread that when one DIFFERENCE meets another DIFFERENCE, a kind of magic takes place.

When I was writing my book, Putting Our Differences to Work, I wrote about many different kinds of "duets" of talent, reaching for the NEW, the UNIQUE, the EXCELLENT. One of my favorite stories came from the story of Helen Keller. The following is the excerpt:

Helen Keller was a remarkable person — an author, activist, lecturer, the first blind and deaf person to graduate from college, and leadership role model—and together with her remarkable teacher, Anne Sullivan Macy, demonstrated the power of putting our differences to work for over fifty years. In Take a Look at Yourself, a treasured old book now out of print, I read this account of one night when they came together to Denver on a tour. In reading it, you get a real sense about the experience of achievement from two leaders with very different points of view: Helen Keller stood on the stage, her fingertips on the violin of a great master, while he played “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life.” She began to sway gently and to keep time with her free hand, as she caught the rhythm; and she turned to the audience, when the sweet mystery was done, to say, with tears in her eyes, “I have found life so beautiful!” Back in the shadows, out of the spotlight, getting none of the applause and wanting none of it, stood Mrs. Macy. One can imagine the joy in the moment of achievement from both student and teacher.

Quite by CHANCE...

This year, quite by chance, I was again introduced to another kind of differences in duet through the remarkable work of pianist and music educator, Jessica Roemischer. I first was blessed to meet with her across the miles for an interview. My conversation with her was so exceptional, we decided it needed a beautiful place to share it. So with Jessica's partnership we built an amazing multi-media exhibit at our WOMEN's GALLERY at the Global Dialogue Center.

I hope you come take a personal tour. VISIT NOW You will learn about the transformative power of piano duet improvisation. Jessica Roemischer describes the miracle this way, "The ability to express beauty through music is inherent in us all and unfettered by any limitation.” The visual learning exhibit, my interview with her, and the videos will help you step inside the remarkable experience of being with her. Be sure to FIRST put your headset on as you look through the visual exhibit at the top --- and listen to Jessica Roemischer's rendition of "When You Wish Upon a Star." It will touch your heart! VISIT NOW

What do you think about the miracle that happens in duet?
Can you think of experiences you've had?

Warm regards,

Debbe

Twitter @debbekennedy

April 05, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Tags: books, debbe kennedy, differences, women's development, women's leadership

The Essential Feminine “Living Room” Opens March 24th

Among the natural attributes of women are collaboration and team building. (And, we hold many more.) Our ability to use these gifs has been recognized by such groups as CARE, Heifer International and The Hunger Project. (See notes below.) These groups have invested their resources and total faith in women to rebuild their communities as they know that women will use their opportunities to feed their families and strengthen their communities.

Relationship building, networking and community building are some of women’s finest gifts. Therefore, The Essential Feminine Company™ is opening its “Living Room” as a place for women to get together once a month to share ideas and suggestions about various topics. This is a free event happening at noon (Pacific Time) on March 24 and continuing on the fourth Wednesday of the months following. You will need to register for the event at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/448858688

We will begin our Living Room discussion with the topic, “Inviting The New, The Different and The Good Into Our Lives”. After the initial theme has been presented we will be opening the lines for announcements, wishes, desires, and general networking. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have something you would like to share during the second half hour. We need at least forty-eight hours prior to each Living Room event for your comment or need to be considered.

We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to join women from around the globe and help us create a community of women who want to create their lives from their true selves and thus make a difference.

Maureen Simon

Note: Yesterday (March 8) “was International Women's Day celebrating the progress women have made in their struggles for equality and development and also focusing on what remains to be done to ensure there is equality for all. The theme this year is "Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All."”

Note from The Hunger Project: “(THP) firmly believes that empowering women to be key change agents is an essential element to achieving the end of hunger and poverty. Wherever we work, our programs aim to support women, build their capacity and ensure their voice is heard and influence felt, both in their own communities and more widely.” To read more: http://www.thp.org/learn_more/publications/newsletters/february_2010

Note from Heifer International: Women Working Wonders; Since they received goats from Heifer, the members of Zambia's Evergreen Women's Club have been able to provide life-saving milk for their children, grow valuable crops to support their families and help their neighbors support themselves. To read more: http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.201594/?msource=kwg538

Maureen Simon

Co-Contributor

Create Your Blueprint for 2010

[email protected]

http://womeninfluencingnow.wordpress.com

http://www.facebook.com/maureensimon

www.theessentialfeminine.com

Join our Facebook Group "Women Influencing Now"

twitter@maureensimon

March 09, 2010 in Current Affairs, Women's Development, Women's Leadership | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

IN COMMEMORATION International Woman's Day

Hi everyone...

This year, we were not able to host our woman's dialogue for International Women's Day as we have in previous years, but we hope to do one again soon...

HOWEVER, memories are moments that we can revisit and rediscover joy, so I wanted to share reflections from last year in commemoration...

Over 375 women from around world were drawn to our online day of conversation. They signed up from over 25 countries and represented over 35 states across the United States...

It's A New DAY!
Online Day of Conversation for Women
...Celebrating International Women's Day
Global Dialogue Center ONLINE CONFERENCE CENTER
In many ways our day was a pioneering adventure to see if we could make such a connection and we did. You were amazing women! Doing interesting work, looking to renew yourselves, finding ways to change the world, and offering new thinking and ideas to share with others. The stage was set for dialogue with the inspiration personal and powerful message from Dr. Dorothy Height --- one that no women should miss!

To extend our connection across the world, we created It's a New DAY! Women's CENTER at Women in the Lead at the Global Dialogue Center.

Our aim is to give YOU access to highlights of this very special event, including Dr. Dorothy Height's message, be introduced to the causes that were showcased, explore an array of renewal resources, as well as the women and organizations that contributed their gifts to our day of conversation around the world.

Take a look: www.globaldialoguecenter.com/newday

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. --- Anais Nin

Click to see larger view of illustrations by Nancy Marguiles above...

Our It's a NEW DAY Women's Community POSTING PLACE
was created in response to the many women that wanted to share ...

* reflections and comments on our day of conversation
* stories, ideas, and best practices
* BLOGs and WEBSITES and NETWORKING PLACES
* Services and offerings to help others

What can you share with others?
What will gifts will others share with you?

CHECK THE COMMENTS for contributions from the women attending.
TO LEAVE YOUR FINGERPRINT, click on "comment" at the bottom of this post and share...

Thank you for joining us, we look forward to hearing from you and learning from your reflections and experience --- we welcome your ideas too!

Together, we took another bold step toward connecting as WOMEN across the world. Thank YOU!

Best...

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy, founder, president and CEO
Women in the Lead at the Global Dialogue Center
Leadership Solutions Companies
Berrett-Koehler author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance

It's a New DAY! Renewing Ourselves; Changing the World was sponsored by Women in the Lead at the Global Dialogue Center in partnership with Women's Online Media and Education Network, producers of Women's Radio and Women's Calendar.

Also visit --- our Women in the Lead INSPIRATION BLOG with over 600 inspirational posts for women.

March 07, 2010 in Women's Development, Women's Leadership | Permalink | Comments (37) | TrackBack (0)

Tags: International Women's Day 2010, Women's Development, Women's Leadership

Maya Angelou on What we should HAVE and KNOW

Today a dear friend forwarded a favorite poem written by Maya Angelou. She has a way of speaking to each of us up-close and personal, so I am posting it for you to take-in. Ponder anew.

WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a youth she's content to leave behind....
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

a feeling of control over her destiny...
how to fall in love without losing herself..