STAYING OUT IN FRONT: How to Build COMMUNITY Wherever You Land

In today’s marketplace and workplace, regardless of where you may be playing, we’re all learning similar lessons. We need to be flexible, adaptable, willing, able, and agile to ensure a place out in front in an turbulent, ever-changing world. We’re also learning that an essential skill goes with those qualities: Becoming a master of building COMMUNITY wherever you land — being remarkable at moving in and out and through communities in ways that are authentic, making meaningful connections with people and organizations that may be totally different than you are.

Recently, I’ve read a number of articles on “building community” and they all seem to make things seem quite complicated — like it’s hard to do.

In contrast…once in a while, someone comes along — sometimes it is someone we don’t expect to learn from — who shows us, by their example, in just a minute or two, the basics of all we need to know.

This little guy in “penguin suit” did just that…

4 TIPS from an UNEXPECTED TEACHER  WATCH!

• Move with speed and agility to stay out front.
• When you land in a new place, act like you belong. 
• Be friendly to everyone you meet.
• Feel the love come back at you.

What would you add?

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Contributing author
Greater IBM Connection Blog

Founder, President & CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Companies
BOOK: author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance
IBMer 1970 – 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco
Twitter:@debbekennedy   @onlinedialogues
Why to SMART people say NO to great ideas?
INNOVATION TIP #5

LEADERSHIP: Impossible until it is done

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you seen INVICTUS? I went to see it a second time last week and felt compelled to write about my experience of it, primarily because too few have seen it. Unfortunately, it seemed to be overshadowed by the captivating AVATAR and other holiday escapes.

The film is an uplifting true story about Nelson Mandela’s remarkable leadership. You get a front row seat to witness a leader as he invites a nation to EXPERIENCE the “end he has in mind” he holds for their rise to greatness. Morgan Freeman received a well-deserved nomination for a Golden Globe and also an Oscar for his portrayal of South African President Nelson Mandela — a role, reportedly, Mandela himself chose for Mr. Freeman. It is moving and memorable.

It seems during a time when so much is messed up in both business and society, INVICTUS should be required watching for all leaders and aspiring leaders and anyone interested in creating a better world and society than we know today. Although, the movie chronicles a sports event, it is about something far bigger and richer — it is about people struggling and questioning one another. Kicking and screaming at first, but coming around again. Coming together. Doing their part. Lifting themselves up and everyone and everything around them. Experiencing the miracle that comes when we UNITE in a kind of oneness that suits our humanity well. As I watched, I flashed on times in my life and work, when I felt this same rush. A few of those were flashbacks from my career at IBM when a team of us reached inside ourselves to do something far greater than we thought was possible.

Before watching the film, I wished I had known both the words of the poem by heart and the story behind it. 

INVICTUS
by William Ernest Henley, 1875 

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

This is the movie trailer that, frankly, doesn’t do the film justice, but it will give you a glimpse out of context…

 

LEADERSHIP LESSONS TO SHARE
I wrote down three lessons that were validated in this timely film…

1. SEE DIFFERENCES DIFFERENTLY. Master seeing DIFFERENCES differently so you can see through the eyes of those who are essential to CHANGE — especially, if they are your “enemies.” Understanding what matters to them and genuinely caring about it is important. It sets you free to authentically do your important work.

2. INVEST IN KNOWING YOUR PEOPLE. If you want people to follow you, teaching them to believe in themselves first makes it easier. To do this, invest in knowing and caring about who they are. Then demonstrate mutual trust and respect with every day-to-day opportunity afforded to you.

3. THE POWER OF “THE EXPERIENCE.” Helping people experience “the end in mind” — even for a short while — makes it easier to take the leader’s vision to the next level, step-by-step. It shows people they are in charge of their destiny.

“It always seems impossible until it is done.”
— Nelson Mandela

I hope you see it and stop by to share what you saw in INVICTUS from your vantage point.

Photo Credit:
One of seven paintings of special leadership influences that hang above my desk. They look over me as I work, always encouraging me to keep moving ever onward. Original oil painting by Sally K. Green.

Best…
Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Contributing author
Greater IBM Connection Blog
Co-Founder, GIBM Women’s
International Network for
Leadership (GIBM WIN-L)

Founder, President & CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Companies
BOOK: author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance
IBMer 1970 – 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco
Twitter:@debbekennedy   @onlinedialogues

YOUR GREAT IDEAS: How are they doing?

If we traced the path of GREAT IDEAS in the finest of organizations, we would probably all be astounded at the rate at which NEW THINKING is unintentionally squelched, squashed, smashed, stifled, smothered, misunderstood, ridiculed or just ignored.

Ever had this experience?
Ever felt like this woman looks?

 

This is what I wrote in an article a few years back. Around the same time, I was invited to speak at an ONLINE leadership forum with a focus on How to Get Buy-In for New Ideas. Over 550 leaders and innovators showed up to explore this topic, representing twenty countries. They came from major companies from every industry, as well as entrepreneurs, government, military, education, health care, and community organizations. I discovered the group was a cross section of CEOs and senior leaders, managers of every type, as well as educators, business owners, ministers, and consultants. Imagine all this diverse talent coming together, peer to peer, meeting on common ground, because they were brimming with NEW IDEAS to bring to their respective organizations. Following the online session, I conducted some follow-on dialogues. Three key themes were identified as BIG BARRIERS standing the the way of introducing the participants’ NEW IDEAS:

• Culture isn’t open to new ideas.Resistance to change. There is a lack of interest in change and innovation. Everyone sees the need; no one wants to take the risk. New approaches aren’t welcomed.
• Gender, race, and age still play a role in acceptance of new ideas in our organization. If you think differently or ask too many questions, it leads to losing the respect of senior leaders.
• Senior leaders/managers take ideas and present them as their own. The focus from our leaders is on execution of strategy; they’ve forgotten people are leading it for them. It would be great if they showed more interest in what people have to say.

This begs a question…
What are the chances that you or other leaders in your organization might be leaving similar impressions about sharing NEW IDEAS? No one would purposely want to have members of their teams or constituents thinking this way. But perception is everything and this kind of breakdown in communication isn’t uncommon. It erodes trust and impacts all organizations ability to put differences to work to generate new thinking, creativity, and INNOVATION. At this time in our history, we can’t afford it. Too much is at stake.

 

A CONTINUING SAGA
What is alarming is that this reality doesn’t seem to change — at least in the perception of many of those with the GREAT IDEAS. I remember these same barriers coming up now and then throughout my career too. Last week, I partnered up with futurist and filmmaker Joel Barker to teach a professional development class on this topic. It focused on examining resistance to change, providing detailed guidelines, examples, and a step-by-step process that demonstrates how to get ideas accepted. Interestingly, we again discovered a similar result in a poll we took. A new issue did surface — 23% identified “information overload – breaking through the noise as a major barrier. However, a whopping 84% brought up issues similar to those noted above as standing in their way of introducing and seeding NEW IDEAS in their organizations.

 

Even before my time at IBM circa 1969, Thomas J. Watson, Jr., wrote in one of his well-known Management Briefings: “There’s an old saying that when you talk — you teach, when you listen — you learn. There are a lot of ideas worth listening to in this company. Let’s be sure we’re paying attention — we are never so rich in ideas that we can afford not to…”  It should be noted that this quote was preceded by him sharing a personal leadership story where he hadn’t listened to an employee’s idea to solve a critical business problem. “…Because I was frustrated and tired, I gave [the employee] a short interview and a non-sympathetic rebuff. …Later that evening, I began to worry about the area which he had pointed out, and by morning, I realized that at least constructive and appropriate attention to his idea was the minimum he should expect from me.” Hmmm…Big leadership at work!

 

What about YOU?

What is the #1 ISSUE you face when it comes to introducing NEW IDEAS?(answers)

For those of you who never have this kind of experience…
What best practice can you share to help others who do?

 

I look forward to listening your points of view…

 

 

 

Best…
Debbe

 

Debbe Kennedy
Contributing author
Greater IBM Connection Blog
Co-Founder, GIBM Women’s
International Network for
Leadership (GIBM WIN-L)

Founder, President & CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Companies
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance
IBMer 1970 – 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco
Twitter:@debbekennedy   @onlinedialogues

THINKing and other IBM inspirations

I suppose one of the highlights of working for IBM for twenty years + was learning how important it was to THINK. From my first moments, THINKing was an important part of any task or assignment. The word THINK was on notebooks, signs, and painted on walls. Looking back, it seemed that it was a kind of tap-tap-tap indoctrination into the founder’s passionate belief in the power of THINKing. Taken to heart, it was far from the misconception that IBM was a place for conformity. It inspired something bold and independent to come to life inside. Admittedly, I have been forever grateful for the many opportunities I was given to develop this powerful skill in a vast array of wonderful jobs, working with the best in people, and leaders that believed in me.

Over the years, I’ve collected wisdom here and there from IBM’s founder, Thomas J. Watson, Sr. I have always admired his candid way of speaking, giving us a personal moment of truth with each bit of wisdom.  Here are a few timeless favorites…

“Follow the path of the unsafe independent thinker. Expose your ideas to the danger of controversy. Speak your mind and fear less the label of ‘crackpot” than the stigma of conformity.”

“All the problems of the world could be settled easily if [we] were only willing to THINK. The trouble is that [we] very often resort to all sorts of devices in order not to think.”

“If you want to achieve excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less-than-excellent work.”

“Really big people are, above everything else, courteous, considerate and generous – not just to some people in some circumstances – but to everyone all the time.”

On my very first day working for IBM in my first career, there was a nameplate on my desk when I arrived. My name had been engraved on the front on a brass plaque. On the back there was quote. It has stayed with me and kept me striving to follow the unsafe path of the independent thinker.

“If all objections were considered, nothing would ever be tried.” – Unknown

How about you?

Do you have a favorite inspiration from IBM?

 

Best…
Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Contributing author
Greater IBM Connection Blog
Co-Founder, GIBM Women’s
International Network for
Leadership (GIBM WIN-L)

Founder, President & CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Companies
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance
IBMer 1970 – 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco
Twitter: @debbekennedy   @onlinedialogues

 

TRUST: A Personal IBM Story

trŭst  n.
1. Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
2. Something committed into the care of another; charge.
___________________________________________

Trust is perhaps the single most empowering — and sometimes the most paralyzing quality in our relationships with ourselves and with each other in life and work. Issues of trust are at the core of our most pressing problems on almost any front and today there are plenty of them.

I’m not sure I fully appreciated how much I learned about trust in my 20+ years at IBM. It is hard for me to think about the notion of trust without remembering its various influences during those years.

One illustrative story immediately comes to mind. It was an unexpected acknowledgment that was revealed in one of the IBM stories I included in my book, Putting Our Differences to Work. The interview was with one of my former managers at IBM. He was a kind of wild and crazy guy with a bowtie. He was intense, spirited, and knew the business down to the tiniest detail. He was also fun, suspect of your every move and intention, and operated with a contentious style with everyone. Working with him, taught me how to play hardball. After leaving IBM, he became a successful entrepreneur, working with very different people. Most spoke a different language which he didn’t understand. So he had to learn to trust. In his own words… 

“As an IBM manager,” Chuck told me, “there was never an assumed trust on my part. As an employee, you had to earn it from me—and because I was the manager, I expected people to come to me. In my entire IBM career, I was incapable of just letting people go—creating a common understanding of our mission and then allowing people to do their best. I always had to be in control—or wanted more control—or thought my ideas were better. In my business today, I have had to trust people, because I can’t talk about what I want or always be with them with several jobs going at one time. Maybe the change has come from a combination of things. I’ve mellowed. I’ve learned people work best if given some freedom. Also, my employees have been great teachers. They taught me to trust.”

 

“He who does not trust enough, will not be trusted.”
— Lao Tzu

What I know for sure is that in my life TRUST in relationships has empowered me to do things I imagined were possible.  It improves business, increases the possibilities for innovation, and feels real good inside. How about you?

Do you have a story to share?

Best…
Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Contributing author
Greater IBM Connection Blog
Co-Founder, GIBM Women’s
International Network for
Leadership (GIBM WIN-L)

Founder, President & CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Companies
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
Video Book Review by futurist Joel A. Barker
IBMer 1970 – 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco
Twitter: @debbekennedy   @onlinedialogues

What New Skills Do We Need to be The Game Changers?

Inspired by the possibilities Sam Palmisano introduced to the world in his speech, SMARTER PLANET: The Next Leadership Agenda, Greater IBMers across the world have been meeting up ONLINE to learn, exchange ideas, and discover how we can get involved. We’ve learned we share a keen interest in becoming one of those leaders and innovators that Sam Palmisano described as those that will “change the game” in creating a more sustainable planet on many fronts. Most recently, we’ve delved into leadership and diversity in our changing economy, the crisis of health care, and on August 5, we’ll be exploring new intiatives related to WATER, the lifeblood of our planet.

HAVE YOU REGISTERED TO ATTEND ?

The Business of WATER
A Thirst for Smarter Management
Conversation with executive guest…
Sharon Nunes, IBM Vice President, Big Green Innovations
ONLINE EVENT  |  WEDNESDAY, August 5, 2009
1 PM – 2 PM  US Eastern Daylight Time
REGISTER HERE:  www.greateribm.com
Login/phone details to attend are included.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO OFFER THE WORLD?
What new skills do we need to be the game changers?
The graphic at the top of this post includes an amazing list of leadership qualities. These were collected from the over 490 Greater IBMers that registered for our event, LEADERSHIP and DIVERSITY in a CHANGING ECONOMY in June 2009. THE QUESTION: We asked each person to name one quality that distinguished them as a leader and innovator. When you look at the entire list of distinguishing qualities, you realize that GREATER IBMERS are a powerful resource prepared to change the world. As you read through the list, I’m certain you will also see yourself in those qualities.

So, who are these game changers?
How can YOU be among them?
What role does CURIOSITY play?

I keep learning through my work with people all over the world that it is essential for leaders and innovators to develop a much keener interest in people than we are used to having even at IBM — particularly in people that are different that we are. You’ve got to learn to look beyond the words on a resume, the preconceived limitations we see in others, how someone looks, and seek to discover the full array of DIFFERENCES, knowledge, know-how, values, and unique talents that others possess. This means questioning our habits and learning to SEE DIFFERENCES DIFFERENTLY. Related blog post you might enjoy: CURIOSITY: The 21st Century Differentiator

Hope you’ll join us! Learn more. Share your voice. Get inolved! Together, we can change the world in ways we can’t imagine. 

“…I believe we will see new leaders emerge who win not by surviving the storm, but by changing the game.”
— Sam Palmisano, IBM Chairman and CEO

Best…
Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Contributing Author
Greater IBM Connection Blog
Co-Founder, GIBM Women’s
International Network for
Leadership(GIBM WIN-L)

Founder, President & CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Companies
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
Video Book Review by futurist Joel A. Barker
IBMer 1970 – 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco
Twitter: @debbekennedy   @onlinedialogues

LEADERSHIP and DIVERSITY Gathering Review

We continue to prove the value of the Greater IBM Connection each time we find a way to gather across the world. Last week, we did it again!

Over 490 IBMers past and present from 28 countries signed up to meet each other ONLINE at an appointed time and place to participate in a conversation with IBM Vice President of Diversity & Workforce Programs, Ron Glover. Our purpose in meeting was to explore the topic of LEADERSHIP and DIVERSITY in a CHANGING ECONOMY.

GETTING ACQUAINTED
We started the dialogue by first learning a little about who showed up. This seemed to create a sense we were connected in the distance. We had a chance to plot ourselves on a world map, shared why we were drawn to be there in a POLL, and got a glimpse of how we had described our unique roles in life and work. When each of us registered for the event, we also were asked to identify one DISTINGUISHING QUALITY we had as leaders or innovators. We shared the list with everyone. It had hundreds of unique expressions— a little peer-to-peer sharing across cultures and twenty-eight countries. Nice!

CONVERSATION WITH RON GLOVER
Ron Glover spent the first hour with us and generously offered his stories and insights. We had received hundreds of questions from participants at registration. Our Greater IBM WIN-L Co-Founders, Cécile Demailly (France), Shara Sokol (New York), and Jane Scandurra (New York), joined me to field the questions submitted. The questions covered four key themes: Ron’s LEADERSHIP JOURNEY, his thoughts on BEING A LEADER, the status of DIVERSITY at IBM in this changing economy, and Ron’s SEND-OFF for us. We hung out together for another thirty minutes or so to discuss questions, reflect on what we learned, and share stories and perspectives.

As a Greater IBMer, I admit I was honored to have the opportunity to welcome IBMers past and present to our Global Dialogue Center ONLINE Conference Center and experience the power of connecting in still another way. As someone reflected on the event: “This was a one of a kind opportunity to connect with IBMERS from so many parts of the world and with so many views.” 

RECORDED HIGHLIGHTS, HANDOUTS, RELATED LINKS:
We captured the highlights of this global Greater IBM gathering at the Global Dialogue Center.
We invite you to share in the experience too…
Go here for RECORDED HIGHTLIGHTS:
http://globaldialoguecenter.com/events/gibm-june2009.shtml

It meant a lot to me be involved in this event. It was a special gathering that emerged through the Greater IBM Women’s Network for Leadership (GIBM WIN-L) from other online experiences we created together. It was produced in partnership with the Greater IBM Connection team. Together — Ron Glover, everyone who shared in this gathering, and our global team — we created a moment in time that would not have been possible at one time…a memorable one!

From the reflective writings of those attending…

“It’s very nice to have the opportunity to share ideas among all levels. It’s not very common in other companies to have this kind of opportunity.”

“…it is nice to see so many locations working to make the world and IBM a better place.”

Best…
Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Contributing Author
Greater IBM Connection Blog
Co-Founder, GIBM Women’s
International Network for
Leadership(GIBM WIN-L)

Founder, President & CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Companies
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
Video Book Review by futurist Joel A. Barker
IBMer 1970 – 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco
www.globaldialoguecenter.com

Small Change Leads to BIG CHANGE – IBM Corporate Service Corps in Emerging Markets

After another disappointing week of streaming news about bailouts and leadership decisions flashed in front of us that are painful symptoms of so much that MUST change, I was moved by the corresponding good news headline:

IBM Selects 200 New Global Leaders for the Corporate Service Corps to Tackle Socioeconomic Problems in Key Emerging Markets

The story reads: “Two hundred of IBM’s future leaders from nearly 40 countries will participate for international assignments to emerging markets in 2009 as part of the company’s Corporate Service Corps program, part of the Global Citizen’s Portfolio initiative announced by CEO Sam Palmisano.”

What made this good news so meaningful was the slideshow story told by Charlie Ung, 8-year IBMer from Canada about his four week experience traveling to Accra in Ghana, West Africa. It says more than any words I could write:

http://www.ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/ghana_presentation.html

What I’ve always loved about IBM remains the same.
They do stuff. They inspire us to do it too. They are on it. Not perfect perhaps, but like everything else, in its cracks, new LIGHT emerges always moving to something higher. Sam Palmisano made sure of it when he put his fingerprint on the future with IBM’s commitment November 6, 2008 in a speech describing THE SMARTER PLANET.

The Greater IBM Connection?…
It felt good today to be reminded by the GOOD NEWS above. Another plus was finding out about it on Twitter from GIBMer Jasmin Tragas, IBM Australia (Wonderwebby) It is still another example of the goodness that comes from our Greater IBM Connections across the world. Jasmin reminded us all today in one of her tweets, ”Give, give, give. Without take. Learn how Jasmin is setting the example in her own words and in a creative visual exhibitat the Women’s Gallery at the Global Dialogue Center — changing lives for women in the Philippines. Then you are invited to GIVE, GIVE, GIVE. Like Charlie Ung told us in his story from Ghana…

…Maybe that’s the key:
small change that leads to big change.”  

Tell us what small changes you are leading. Spread the good news!

Best…
Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Contributing Author
Greater IBM Connection Blog
Founder, President & CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Cos.
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
Video Book Review by futurist Joel A. Barker
IBMer 1970 – 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco
www.globaldialoguecenter.com


ONLINE EVENT: You’re Invited!
MARCH 31
“INNOVATING in HARD TIMES”
…a global conversation with futurist and filmmaker Joel A. Barker
1:00 pm ET – 2:30 pm ET (10:00 am PT – 11:30 PT)
No fees. Registration required. Login/audio sent via email.
We expect it to be widely attended based on registration.
Hope you can join us!
INVITATION and REGISTRATION:
http://tinyurl.com/MAR31joelbarkerDIALOGUE

 

“I know nothing stays the same…”

As we stand together at the threshold of both crisis and opportunity, everything around us is calling for all of us to CHANGE…to prove once again we can “change our spots.”
Are you ready?

The notion gives me flashbacks…

When I first started in my own business, after a wonderfully rewarding leadership career with IBM for 20+ years, it was a big, GIANT change—one I was excited about; one IBM had prepared me to take on; one I had dreamed about, but when it actually came, there were sure some scary moments of uncertainty and doubt. Ever had that experience yourself when you dared to break away from the familiar?

There was a poignant moment in my transition that has stayed with me…
In the very first job I landed with my new company, I spent a wonderful morning with a room full of women health care leaders. They were in the process of reinventing themselves as a leadership team to move into major changes in their organization. We had a warm, honest and meaningful exchange together—it was just one of those very special occasions when everything worked.

At the end of the session, one of the women, named Ruth, a senior manager at a major hospital, slipped a piece of paper in my hand. She said, “Thank you for this time with us. I wrote a poem while you were presenting to express what happened for me.”

All these years, I cherished her poem and called upon it many times for inspiration. I’ve always wished she had known how meaningful the message was to me at the time. I never saw her again. …but now, I get to pass it on to you…a kind of “family heirloom” to share with you in my Greater IBM friends. Take good care of it and hopefully, you too can pass it along some time:

I NEED TO CHANGE
by Ruth B.

Lonely words
lost in a barrage,
suddenly become
startling
no longer lonely
but more important
than any gone before.

“I need to change,
but can I?
Will I?
Do I dare?”
What will become of the
treasured past, the familiar
sameness of my life?

I will change
because I want to be as good as I can
I want to leave my signature
though invisible
on others’ lives
so that when
my career ends
others
will begin.

Epilogue:
My biggest lesson from this poem was learned in writing this post. In reflection I can see a kind of miracle happened.  When my career ended at IBM, others did begin theirs…and new doors opened in my life. I took with me 21 years of knowledge and experience that shaped a new future. The BIG surprise is that all the years of hard work in growing my company would prepare me to unexpectedly reunite with the company and people I loved years later at Greater IBM. Nice!

“I know nothing stays the same…
…it will be coming around again.”
—Carly Simon

What poignant moments of transition have inspired YOU?

Best…
Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Contributing Author
Greater IBM Connection
Founder, President & CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Cos.
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
Video Book Review by futurist Joel Barker
www.globaldialoguecenter.com
IBMer 1970 – 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco

RELATED EVENT – You’re Invited!
IT’S A NEW DAY!: Renewing Ourselves; Changing the World
…an ONLINE commemorative day of conversation day
celebrating International Women’s Day 2009  Join us!
Learn more and register…or visit Greater IBM Women’s
International Network for Leadership (GIBM-WIN-L) on
Facebook.

Contributing to the Success of Others – Online Women’s Gallery

There is a new call for leadership and service all around the world. Eleanor Roosevelt reminded us…

“Our own success, to be real, must contribute to the success of others.”

Recently, Jasmin Tragas, author of Wonderwebby and Managing Consultant with IBM Human Capital Management in Australia, brought this wisdom to life in an innovative and deeply meaningful way. I wanted to share this unique Greater IBM story…

When you put your heart and talent into a project, wonderful things can happen. Jasmin proved this. In an invitation to women, she promised, “By writing a single sentence”for her special Wonderwebby project, we could contribute to empowering other women, make a difference, and speak out against poverty. “You can change the lives of a group of women in the Philippines,” she explained. …and twenty-six women showed up to share their insights.

“The reason I am asking you, Jasmin wrote, “is because I believe you are a woman with an entrepreneurial spirit. Along the way, you made an investment. It may have been words you spoke, a course you undertook, a gift you gave, a smile, a risk or an adventure. Perhaps another woman made an investment in you.”

Jasmin turned the insights from the twenty-six women into a beautiful slideshow with stories and wisdom to share with the world. It was one of the most inventive, mutualistic fund raising ideas I’ve seen. It is a win, win, win. Our Greater IBM connection across the world, offered an opportunity for Jasmin and I to team up, share our resources and showcase Jasmin’s project in a special way.

The online WOMEN’s GALLERYat the Global Dialogue Center, which I founded in 2003, is honored to share this special self-learning exhibit, WOMEN’s INVESTMENT: A tribute to the Entrepreneurial Spirit. The exhibit features the slideshow Jasmin created with beautiful photographs by Amy Palko (lessordinary.org.uk) that tell mini-stories from twenty-six women around the world taken from their personal experience of WOMEN’s INVESTMENT. Jasmin also tells the story of the project in a personal audio message.

THREE WAYS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SPECIAL EXHIBIT:

1. Visit the exhibit and take insights of twenty-six women.
   Click through the visual exhibit.
2. Tell your story or share your insight;
   Leave a comment at the bottom of this post.
3. Make a donation…a small contribution empower another woman

Greater IBM Side-Story:
Jasmin and I have never physically met. I live in San Francisco and she is in Australia as I mentioned. We met one another through Greater IBM and have supported one another’s events, projects, and contributions. This special story serves as an example of what we can do by putting our differences, experiences, and resources together to create a better world.

Have you joined Greater IBM? Do it NOW…

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Contributing Author
Greater IBM Connection
Founder, President & CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Cos.
author, Putting Our Differences to Work 
www.globaldialoguecenter.com
www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com
IBMer 1970 – 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco