I had the opportunity to meet a brilliant young man this week. His list of accomplishments was long, his skill-set was broad, and his impact on others was positive and deep. Yet it was clear that he was struggling with a bad case of the “shoulds” and the second guessing that came with it.
Female leaders who command are called names I can’t print. Men who emote are seen as weak and ineffectual. Which brings us to the classic question: Are gender differences genetic or learned? Nature or nurture? Hardwired or socially scripted? Scientists have struggled with this question for centuries. I don’t have the answer, but I do have some observations based on the statistical concept I call the “tyranny of the tails” that may provide some insight.
Christmas – Solstice – Hanukah – Kwanza – Boxing Day – New Year’s
No matter you faith or holiday tradition, December and early January are a time of revelry and feasting around the globe, as well as a time of reflection, peace and generosity. As a person who looks more for what we have in common than what divides us, I see five themes that are entwined around these different celebrations. And each is a precious gift.
In almost all instances, success precedes promotion. And for most of us, we say yes because we feel, at some level, confident in our ability to tackle the new role in a proficient manner. And then we land the new job, take on the additional responsibility, strike out into new territory. And all that we knew in our last job is suddenly not enough.
As leaders are faced with this reality, they have two basic choices…
Our educational system stands in stark contrast to what I experienced in India. I wonder what might happen in the U.S. if we changed the dialogue.
I was a bit surprised when advised that wearing sunglasses in India was culturally inappropriate. At the end of two weeks, I took away a big leadership lesson.
I’ve walked, taxied and driven in most major US cities. I’ve experienced my fair share of NYC cab rides and Chicago traffic jams. None of this prepared me for moving about in India. Here’s what it was like and what I learned from it.
I am back from my sojourn to India with Cultural Connections: Women Weaving Worlds. I made the decision to totally disconnect from electronic communication – but it was not the lack of connectivity that got in the way of blogging. Find out what DID get in the way.
If you know the book or movie about Elizabeth Gilbert’s year long journey – you know that she went to Italy to eat, to India to pray and then to Indonesia to love. I’m doing my own version – albeit shorter.
Today’s world presents new risks… and perhaps the biggest risk of all may be trying to avoid them.
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