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talktodiana

~ Igniting the power and passion in others…

talktodiana

Tag Archives: leadership

Dear President Obama

11 Wednesday Jan 2017

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, In My Opinion

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Barack Obama, building community, community, compassion, courage, democracy, doing the right thing, health care, hope, human rights, humanity, Hump Day Chronicles, integrity, kindness, laughter, leadership, life, Michelle Obama, passion, thank you, tolerance, USA, world issues

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama greet Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau at the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 10, 2016, for a state dinner. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama greet Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau at the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 10, 2016, for a state dinner. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Just a quick note to thank you and Michelle for being great examples of what leadership should look like.

I want to thank you both for all you did, and tried to do to make the United States and the world a more tolerant and safe and inclusive place. For ensuring that more folks had access to health care, for bringing hope to whole communities that had no hope before, for making tough choices, and patiently with humility, building solid relationships on the world stage.  And most of all, for doing it with the poise, dignity, passion, integrity, compassion and sense of humour that should be the norm for any person who occupies a position of power.

No single person is perfect, or always gets everything right, but I believe that you did the best you could within the choices you had, and I for one, felt that I could breathe a little easier, even from way over here in Canada.

I wish you and Michelle all the very best and I know that you will continue to make a significant mark in whatever challenge you take on next.

Well done and thanks again,

Diana Schwenk, Alberta, Canada

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

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If You Want To Be A Leader

06 Sunday Mar 2016

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, In My Opinion

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

200 words, caring, compassion, courage, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, dignity, Do the right thing, generosity, greater good, greed, humanity, integrity, joy, justice, kindness, leadership, love, mercy, Purpose, Truth, vision, world issues

dsc_0281

Climb the mountain so you can see the world, not so the world can see you. ~ David McCullough

When you have the means to make it in this world, when the pieces fall together in such a way for you to get ahead, to gain influence and power, then it’s more vital than ever for you to do what is appropriate for the greater good.

And in such a position, it is also important to be a person of integrity, someone who has their personal affairs in order, someone who is a role model for justice and compassion.

Listen to what President Obama had to say when asked what questions he’d asked of presidential candidates.

~

To Whom Much is Given, Much is expected

A good leader, whether the leader of a nation, or the CEO of a company, or the team lead of a crew needs to climb the mountain, not to be seen, but so (s)he can see the people, understand their circumstances and lead effectively with their best interests in mind.

What can you do today for your family, your company, your neighbourhood, your city, your cause to make it better for everyone.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

When You Find A lone Nut Doing Something Great…

06 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, In My Opinion

≈ 37 Comments

Tags

building community, community, courage, Diana Schwenk, humour, Hump Day Chronicles, leadership, mission, passion, Purpose, teamwork, vision, world issues

Follow_the_Leader

How do we create a viral video? How do we get everyone to come onboard with our plan? How do we get people excited about our campaign? How do we start a movement?

Well it’s not gonna happen by creating a clever ad that no one but you understands, or presenting a logical argument to folks who don’t care about what you’re doing, or creating a boring, wordy, just-the-facts-ma’am document – you may get an initial response, but it will soon fizzle out.

Movements always start as a result of someone who has had-it-up-to-here with the way things are and passionately believes in their vision for a better world. This person’s fiery passion is contagious and quickly spreads in the hearts of others who also want change.

There is no formula for creating a movement.

There is no strategic plan that will achieve a movement.

It is an emotional response to an unacceptable situation or way of doing things.

It is a uniting of hearts and common purpose to change the status quo that creates a movement.

I love this short-and-to-the-point TED Talk on how to start a movement by Derek Siver!

So, to recap…

  1. One lone nut courageously steps forward.
  2. The first follower transforms the lone nut into a leader.
  3. The leader embraces the follower as an equal.
  4. Another follower makes it three and that’s news! (Now it’s public)
  5. More followers come. They emulate the first follower, not the leader.
  6. The fence-sitters come, this is the tipping point, now we have a movement.
  7. As more people join in, it becomes less risky for others to join in.
  8. Eventually, it becomes uncool not to join in, but there’s still time if you hurry!

I don’t think I’ve ever personally been that lone nut leader that courageously stands up and delivers their vision, but I’ve certainly been that first follower many a time!

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

When you believe in something, do you passionately step forward to the point of risking ridicule? When you find a lone nut doing something great, do you have the courage to be the first to follow?

Rising To Leadership

31 Sunday May 2015

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, In My Opinion

≈ 45 Comments

Tags

200 words, courage, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, doing my best, doing the right thing, integrity, leadership, peers, principles, raising the bar, setting standards

IMG_20140815_161752 (2)

There are standards to which government, religion and higher education should be held. There are examples that politicians and principled businesspeople should endeavor to set, regardless of whether their peers are making that effort. There’s right and wrong, not just better or worse.

And there’s a word for recognizing and rising to that: leadership. We could use more of it. ~ NY Times, Weary of Relativity, May 23, 2015.

I was directed to the above article by Live & Learn.

There are times when I convince myself that I’m doing alright by telling myself that:

  • I do better than that other person.
  • I’m not as bad as so-and-so.
  • This is how everyone else does it, it’s good enough.
  • Things are fine, why should I go that extra mile?
  • There’s not enough time to do it the way it should be done.

Lowering the bar is tempting, especially when I’m tired. I don’t want to go there though. I want to strive to always do my best. I won’t always succeed but I want to keep that bar raised high.

I want to do right, not just better than others.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Are high standards important to you?

The Young and The Old

31 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, In My Opinion

≈ 34 Comments

Tags

200 words, building community, caring, courage, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, dreams, empowering, gifts, growth, health, leadership, learning, life, mission, passion, Purpose, together, understanding, vision, wisdom, world issues, youth leadership

“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” – Greek proverb

untitled2Each generation, at some point, bemoans the world they have inherited from the previous generation. With their whole lives ahead of them, they vow to leave a better world for the next generation.

Then life happens.

The drive to provide for, and protect, their immediate tribe becomes priority. They  block out the injustices in the rest of the world, not entirely, but where these issues intersect their own survival – they choose to protect themselves.

This is not necessarily a bad thing.

This is how we have survived for tens of thousands of years.

We’re not really wired to think about 10, 50 or 100 years from now.

But perhaps in our old age, with our lives mostly behind us, we are freed up to think about future generations.

Perhaps then we are willing to plant the tree whose shade we will never personally enjoy.

I wonder what we could learn and what plans we would conceive if we listened to the idealistic dreams of the young and tempered them with the life-time wisdom of the aged.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Introducing The Other Bottom Line – Finally!

04 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, In My Opinion, My Stories

≈ 27 Comments

Tags

believe, building community, Calgary, community, courage, Diana Schwenk, dreams, integrity, leadership, mission, non-profit, Relationships, The Other Bottom Line, vision

Born from an idea; a belief that an organization’s mission is most successfully carried out by engaging a healthy and vibrant community, The Other Bottom Line is finally launched!

IT’S FINALLY HERE!!!

It is an exciting new chapter. It is the beginning of a journey in the direction my heart longs to go.

It’s about inspiring others to use their gifts and skills to make a positive impact in their calling.

It’s about acting from a place of passion while inviting meaning and purpose to one’s own life.

It’s about working together with driven, like-minded people, cherishing and employing all the gifts around the table toward one common purpose.

It’s about facilitating conversation. It’s about authentic and meaningful relationships. And yes – it is also about offering my services on a project-by-project basis to local organizations in the form of term contracts and consulting.

It’s an exciting new chapter and it’s scary as hell!

I’m filled with excitement and fear – what a rush!

I know I’m taking a risk.

My brain says just go get a normal job and behave like a grown-up.

My heart urges me to press on because I believe with all my heart that I can make a difference by contributing my experience, expertise, skills and gifts toward something I am passionate about; engaging community.

I’m excited to see how The Other Bottom Line will grow and evolve

I was nervous to launch. I went back and forth with content ideas – to the point of madness. In the end, I chose to simplify The Other Bottom Line site with a  preference of letting it grow organically with input from others as they join the discussion. It goes without saying that your input and ideas are warmly welcomed today and in the coming weeks and months.

In time, I hope to feature guest bloggers, create capacity for, and empower organizations to confidently engage their communities, and empower individual community members to use their gifts. Who knows where else this could lead!

(OK Deep breath)

I am deeply grateful for all the encouragement I have received from you, my on-line community. I have been inspired every time one of you has taken a step in faith toward your own dreams. So it is with a mixture of joy and nervousness that I share The Other Bottom Line first with this community of bloggers and dear friends who have both willingly and unknowingly conspired to bring me to this point.

You enrich and bless my life more than words can say. For this I thank you.

So without further ado, let me present to you The Other Bottom Line. Please click on the image below.

TOBL

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” ~ Walt Disney

The Other Bottom Line

07 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, In My Opinion

≈ 38 Comments

Tags

community, Community engagement, Diana Schwenk, diversity, donors, gifts, health, Hump Day Chronicles, inspiration, leadership, mission, motivation, non-profit, organizations, passion, Philanthropy, Philosophy, resources, talents, vision, volunteers

The Other Bottom Line  is the name of a blog I hope to introduce to you soon. The name is based on the premise that money is not an organization’s only bottom line.

I believe that a healthy organization is a group of individuals that work together toward a common vision. In order for an organization to make a real, sustainable impact, it needs to engage its entire community.

A plant seemly overcoming all odds and reaching for the sunlight through a cement barrier.  In the same way, when a community is engaged and working toward a common goal, anything is possible.

A plant fights for life by overcoming all odds and reaching for sunlight through a cement barrier in my parking lot.
In the same way, when a community is engaged and working toward a common purpose, anything is possible.

An organization succeeds when impassioned people motivate others to become engaged by inviting them to participate in fulfilling its mission.

The Other Bottom Line  will be a resource and a place to discuss non-profit workers, those they serve and the communities who are engaged with them.

Below are the beginnings of the foundational pieces for The Other Bottom Line.  Let me know what you think!

~

Vision: An engaged community

Mission: building capacity in non-profit organizations by encouraging them to invite like-minded people to become engaged with them.

Philosophy:

When an organization’s community is engaged, heart, soul and mind; the resources to support their mission will follow

When two or more people are passionate about a cause, project, mission, etc., and they work together using and valuing each other’s individual gifts and abilities, you create an engaged community. It makes sense to seek out those with a common heart and vision and employ their gifts toward a common purpose.

There really is no point in chasing after highly skilled people or wealthy donors in the hope that you will be able to convince them your cause is worthy if they don’t share your organization’s passion to fulfill its mission . Why spend your time coercing someone to believe in something that doesn’t interest them?

Rather encourage them to engage in an area that relates to their own passion and move on – after all, philanthropy is bigger than just one cause.

The organization’s mission should apply to everyone; from leadership and front-line workers to volunteers, funders and clients

Most organizations have a mission statement. Often their mission is thought of by staff as applying only to their clients/program users. The mission should apply to everyone.

For example I worked at an organization who looked after homeless people. Their mission statement was to mobilize the church and work with the community to compassionately respond to the needs of the less fortunate.

This mission was relevant for everyone from the board of directors and staff to the clients, volunteers and supporters. All were called upon to empower others to fulfill the organization’s mission.

Achieving sustainability through diversity of talents and funding sources

If every person has the same perspective most of the people are not necessary. It is an amazing thing to behold an organization that employs and values gifts and abilities at all levels from a diverse community made up of people with varying backgrounds and experiences.

Adopt the tested and best practices of others – there’s no need to re-invent the wheel

Non-profits need to, and often do, share with and learn from other organizations. If an organization does something well; it should share it with others. This benefits the greater community.

Keeping it to themselves does not give them an advantage. Being generous with information is its own reward.

And when an organization is diving into new waters, they would do well to talk to those who have been there before while also getting feedback from their engaged community.

It’s not about the organization; it’s about their community

What a shame it is when an organization focusses on its own needs over the needs and desires of its engaged community. ESGEE Musings  illustrates this well in this post that compares the customer service provided by two different airlines.

Too often organizations deem the latest technology or internal processes as more important than the experiences of those who want to be engaged with them.

This can result in their supporting community being unsure of how they can contribute and wondering if they bring any value at all to the organization. If organizations do not endeavor to understand the heart’s desire of their community or honour their contributions, someone who does will scoop them away.

It’s not about the organization. It’s about the community and facilitating a way for people who care, to engage with the organization without overwhelming them with difficult systems.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

related posts

Dreams, Dragging my butt…

If Momma’s Not Happy…

I CEE DEMS – Brown the Runway

27 Saturday Apr 2013

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, In My Opinion

≈ 37 Comments

Tags

200 words, Act, clarity, communicate, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, Foreign language, leadership, message, motivate, passion, perception, words

If a leader can’t get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn’t even matter. ~ Gilbert Amelio

I wiped the sweat away from my forehead with the back of my hand and pointed to the ocean.2011_01220011

He raised his eyebrows questioningly.

Caliente. Mucho.

Que?

Have you ever tried to get a point across in a foreign language?

What if I told you that it can be just as difficult when both parties speak the same language.

A few years back a colleague was becoming increasingly agitated that some staff still didn’t know the direction and vision of our organization.

“We have to tell them,” I offered.

“We have told them. We sent that email…brought it up at the all-staff meeting, they’re just not listening!”

Words are a tricky thing. Even one word alone can mean a host of things to a host of people. If people are percieving the message in a way we did not intend, is that really their fault?

Perception is reality

If people aren’t hearing what you’re saying – maybe it’s time to change the way you’re saying it.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

A leader’s role

13 Sunday May 2012

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, In My Opinion

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

David Ogilvy, Diana Schwenk, leadership, teamwork, vision

“If each of us hires people smaller than we are, we shall become a company of dwarfs.” David Ogilvy

Hands touching

Hands touching (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A wise leader recruits to compensate for his/her own weaknesses. They hire people who are smarter and more apt than they are in certain areas. Too often we see leaders who seem threatened by the ‘smarts and accomplishments’ of others rather than being enthused with the potential outcomes of a talented and diverse team. They tell employees what to do, how to do it and when to do it.

The leader’s role is:

To articulate a clear vision;

To inspire and ignite passions;

To care for and coach each team member.

It is far better to recruit the best people who have what it takes and give them the responsibility, accountability and authority they need to get the job done in their area of expertise. Tell your people what needs to be done; don’t tell them how to do it. You’ll be amazed at what they can accomplish.

What qualities do you look for in a leader? What has been your best/worst work experience?

Talk to Diana


"I RELATE WITH, PROMOTE AND SPEAK COMMUNITY WHEREVER I AM..."

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