the leadership journey

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8 Essential Qualities of Successful Leaders

• Rebecca Knight

And how to cultivate them.

Becoming a great leader is a journey of continuous learning and growth. It’s a process — one that thrives on embracing challenges, seeking feedback, fostering connections, and cultivating understanding. In this article, the author outlines the eight most essential leadership qualities, according to Harvard Business School professor Linda Hill, one of the world’s top experts on leadership. Star leaders aren’t born with superhuman capabilities, Linda explains. Rather, they tend to have intentionally put themselves in situations where they have to learn, adapt, and grow — a crucible for developing the tenacity and fortitude to motivate and guide others.

Do you have what it takes to be a great leader ?

• RK Rebecca Knight is a journalist who writes about all things related to the changing nature of careers and the workplace. Her essays and reported stories have been featured in The Boston Globe, Business Insider, The New York Times, BBC, and The Christian Science Monitor. She was shortlisted as a Reuters Institute Fellow at Oxford University in 2023. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade as an editor and reporter at the Financial Times in New York, London, and Boston.

The Leadership Journey™

The Leadership Journey™ is an in-house leadership training program for team leaders, supervisors, and managers.  We offer a series of short, bite-sized courses focused on developing 10 core leadership skills.

Develop 10 Core Leadership Skills

• Accountability & Taking Ownership
• Change Management
• Coaching & Mentoring
• Communication
• Conflict Resolution
• Empowerment
• Motivation & Attitude Improvement
• Professionalism
• Relationship Building

With leadership training, supervisors and managers transform into high-performing leaders who will drive organizational and team performance.

Play a Course

Who is the Audience?

Training for All Levels and Backgrounds

Soon-to-be, brand-new, or seasoned supervisors and managers will benefit from  The Leadership Journey.

• Team Leaders
• Supervisors
• New Managers
• First-time Supervisors
• Informal Leaders
• High-potentials
• Future Leaders
• Bench Strength

It doesn’t matter if a person was promoted yesterday or 10 years ago — if they don’t have the necessary leadership skills to be an effective leader they, and their team, will fail.

How Does It Work?

  classroom, e-learning, or blended learning.

Participants receive a consistent message regardless of the delivery method. You choose when, where, and how often learning takes place.

 Short, Concise Courses

Bite-sized courses get “right to the point” so students are not overwhelmed with information and return to work quickly.

 Practical Skills

Participants learn useful skills that can be immediately applied in the workplace. Courses are to the point, easy to understand, and based on real-life experiences.

Skills Get Used On the Job

Students receive tools that make it easy for them to apply skills in the workplace.

7 Active Learning Components in our Patent-Pending Learning Model

• Pre-Assessment: Open-ended questions activate prior knowledge and focus attention by getting participants immediately involved in the course.
• Video & Note-Taking Guide: Short, 12-minute videos are to the point and engaging. Taking an active role during the video, participants engage both the left and right sides of the brain by writing down keywords.
• Post-Discussion Questions: Open-ended questions focus the participant’s answers to real workplace challenges and opportunities. During discussion, students share new ideas and past experiences, learning from their classmates as well as the course material.
• Group Exercises: With role-plays and scenario-based learning, participants are given the opportunity to work together to practice and apply new skills.
• Quiz: Measures comprehension of the course material and tracks student progress.
• Action Plan:  Students apply new skills in the workplace with a personalized, written goal sheet complete with action steps. It is a written commitment from students to apply positive change back on the job.
• Follow-up: Hold participants accountable for using new skills in the workplace.

Students learn, associate, and practice new skills – then apply them on the job with personalized action plans.

Save Time with a Turnkey Solution

We offer a complete training solution so you only have to find, research, and evaluate training once. We supply all the materials so that you have complete flexibility of how, when, and where you offer training sessions.

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How do you know that it will fit your needs?  Right now you can play a course and evaluate the content.

Develop Your Personal Leadership Journey and Become an Effective Leader

Written by The Blue Ocean Team

Adapted from Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne’s Blue Ocean Leadership, Harvard Business Review (May, 2014)

Every day you are on your personal leadership journey. The decisions you make as a leader affect your team and your organization. How would you evaluate your leadership? Are you an effective leader that drives high performance and brings your people along? Or can your leadership profile be markedly improved?

What if, instead of altering who you are, you could undertake a different set of tasks and create a step-change in your leadership strength?

In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the steps you can take today to design your personal leadership journey. We will introduce you to specific tools that will help you visualize your leadership reality and ask questions to redesign your leadership profile.

At the end of the article, you will also find a presentation – an introductory guide, “ How to Become a Blue Ocean Leader “, containing tools and templates to help you take your leadership to the next level.

Your leadership journey reflection

Reflect for a moment on your personal leadership journey thus far. How effective is your leadership in your organization? Are your people engaged or disengaged? Is there a gulf between the potential and the realized talent and energy of your people at work? If so, how big do you imagine the gulf is – 10 percent, 20 percent, 40 percent of unrealized talent?

If your organization is like most, then chances are you have more disengaged employees than engaged ones.

How much better would your organization likely perform in terms of productivity, creativity, customer service, and employee happiness if you could close the gap?

Ask yourself, what is your role as a leader? If you believe your role is to drive high performance, then reflecting on your personal leadership journey and understanding how to turn this situation around is critical.

Starting with yourself is the first step to making a step change in leadership strength in your organization.

Your personal leadership journey starts today

How can you stand out as a leader? By turning disengaged employees into engaged ones through an approach to leadership that Chan Kim and Ren é e Mauborgne call ‘ blue ocean leadership ’ .

The insight for blue ocean leadership is that leadership, in essence, can be thought of as a service that people in an organization either ‘buy’ or ‘don’t buy’.

Once you start thinking about your personal leadership in this way, you can see how the concepts and frameworks developed to create new demand in the field of strategy, could be adapted to help you not only develop your personal development journey but at the same time convert your disengaged employees into engaged ones.

Focus on acts and activities

If you are ambitious to progress on your personal leadership journey, chances are you have been part of leadership development programs in the past.

Most leadership development programs and leadership strategies are designed to hone the cognitive and behavioral skills of leaders. The implicit assumption is that this will ultimately translate into high performance. Blue ocean leadership, in contrast, taps into the field of strategy by focusing on actions tied to market realities to rapidly bring about a step-change in leadership strength.

As part of leadership development programs, you have probably been called on to develop traits such as self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy, all of which require deep self-reflection and introspection to assimilate into your character or behavior (or leadership style).

Of course, having the right values, qualities, and behavior traits matters and you should work on them. However, as part of a human being’s inborn nature, these factors are hard to change within a short time frame.

Blue ocean leadership, in contrast, is action-based, just as strategy is. It focuses on what acts and activities leaders need to do to provide a leap in motivation and business results driven by people, not on whom they need to be.

It’s the difference between being asked to be motivating versus being asked to provide those you lead with real-time feedback and best practice lessons that internally motivate and guide those you lead to up their game while feeling valued.

Imagine as a leader being asked to “be motivating”. Where do you begin? Now consider a different task: to provide those you lead with real-time feedback and best-practice lessons that motivate and guide people to perform more effectively while feeling valued.

It is markedly easier to change your acts and activities than your values, qualities, or behaviors.

Tools to map out a powerful personal leadership journey

The as-is leadership canvas: how to see your current leadership reality.

Do you know how people in your organization currently experience your leadership? Are you engaging in acts and activities that hinder your team’s performance and motivation? Here is how to find out the reality of your personal leadership journey.

Blue Ocean Leadership Canvas. © Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne. All rights reserved.

The Leadership Canvas is an analytic visual that shows the acts and activities leaders currently undertake and invest their time and intelligence in as perceived by each leadership level’s customers.

Ask yourself: what acts and activities are you spending most of your time on?

The objective here is to identify the key acts and activities – both good and bad – that actually absorb your time so the As-Is Leadership Canvas can be drawn.

Start by listing your key leadership acts and activities along the horizontal axis and plotting your investment of time and effort in each activity across the vertical axis. The big picture will give you keen insight into your current leadership reality and unlock your creativity to develop a new effective leadership profile for the future.

What did you find? Is your time mostly clogged with bureaucratic tasks and low-value acts and activities? Are you spending enough time on the acts and activities that actually add value to your organization?

Here is an example of an As-Is Leadership Canvas of one company’s senior management.

© Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne. All rights reserved.

The Blue Ocean Leadership Grid: How to develop your new leadership profile

The Blue Ocean Leadership Grid is an analytic tool that complements the Leadership Canvas and helps you formulate your blue ocean leadership profile that can unlock the ocean of unrealized talent and energy in your organization.

The Blue Ocean Leadership Grid © Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne. All rights reserved.

The tool drives you to ask four questions that challenge your current leadership reality:

Eliminate : Which acts and activities you invest your time and intelligence in that should be eliminated?

Reduce : Which acts and activities you invest your time and intelligence in that should be reduced well below their current level?

Raise : Which acts and activities you invest your time and intelligence in that should be raised well above their current level?

Create : Which acts and activities should you invest your time and intelligence in that you currently don’t undertake?

The as-is leadership profiles help you wake up to reality and see the need for change.

The Blue Ocean Leadership Grid drives you to find out what leadership activities should be eliminated, reduced, raised, and created to create a step-change in your leadership strength and achieve high impact with a lower investment of time.

Based on the acts and activities from your completed Blue Ocean Leadership Grid, draw your To-Be Leadership Canvas.

The To-Be Leadership Canvas zooms in on key acts and activities that you need to cut back on to free up time and space and those you should focus on to dramatically uplift your leadership performance. By focusing on acts and activities, the tasks for change are atomized.

Compared with traditional leadership programs that often focus on attitudes and behaviors that can take years of dedicated effort to cultivate, this approach offers you a relatively straightforward way to make high-impact changes happen fast and at low cost. As Chan Kim and Ren é e Mauborgne’s research has shown, it is easier to change what you do, than who you are.

An example of a To-Be Leadership Canvas of one company’s senior management.

Your journey of leadership continues

Blue ocean leadership is about providing a structured process for you to discover for yourself how you need to change in action terms as a leader to create a win all around. The Leadership Canvas allows the standards for success to be measurable. It provides a simple one-page picture that you can quickly grasp, which shows your current or As-Is Leadership Profile and what acts and activities you need to eliminate, reduce, raise and create to deliver a leap in your leadership effectiveness for high performance.

While the practice of leadership will never be an exact science, the aim of blue ocean leadership is to help move it from soft amorphous values and traits to the acts and activities that managers can execute tomorrow and not work on for years before seeing results.

Just imagine how much higher performing your organization would be if you unlocked this blue ocean of new leadership space through action-based, market connected, distributed deep, blue ocean leadership?

Personal leadership journey presentation

This introductory guide on How to Become a Blue Ocean Leader contains key points of blue ocean leadership along with the tools and templates to help you start on your journey to design your new leadership profile.

Download this presentation and work through the exercises to design your personal leadership journey using powerful tools of blue ocean leadership.

A must-have for managers and senior leaders! Download it below. The introductory guide comes with a 5-email mini series on blue ocean leadership where we discuss the concepts further. 

How to Become a Blue Ocean Leader

Get the FREE introductory guide

Focus on your actions instead of your traits and personality to create a step-change in your leadership strength

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The Leadership Journey

By: Leonard D. Schaeffer

It isn't always easy to change leadership hats or to alter the way you assess a business problem. Under pressure, most executives fall back on the management style or approach that worked in the last…

• Length: 5 page(s)
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2002
• Discipline: Organizational Behavior
• Product #: R0210B-PDF-ENG

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It isn't always easy to change leadership hats or to alter the way you assess a business problem. Under pressure, most executives fall back on the management style or approach that worked in the last crisis they faced. But old approaches rarely work in new and demanding situations. Just ask Leonard Schaeffer, chairman and CEO of WellPoint Health Networks, one of the country's largest and most successful managed-care companies. In this account, he describes how he consciously adopted three very different styles of leadership at critical points during his 30-year career, depending on the business challenges at hand. Schaeffer headed up the U.S. Health Care Finance Administration during the Carter years--and led the charge toward more efficient work practices at that agency. Then he transformed Blue Cross of California from a floundering bureaucracy losing close to $1 million each day into a strong public company, WellPoint. The dire circumstances at Blue Cross had dictated that Schaeffer initially be an autocratic leader, which he considers the managerial equivalent of being an emergency room surgeon--forced to do whatever it takes to save a patient's life. Most recently, Schaeffer has turned into a reformer--a leader who works with one foot outside the company to spur changes in health care and society. There are pitfalls in switching leadership styles, Schaeffer admits, but this flexibility is necessary for realizing corporate--and personal--success.

Oct 1, 2002

Discipline:

Organizational Behavior

Harvard Business Review

R0210B-PDF-ENG

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Book description

The Leadership Journey charts a course through four critical areas of being a great leader. Written by Korn Ferry CEO Gary Burnison, this book brings world-renown people and talent development expertise to bear in a discussion about 'good' versus 'great' leadership. Successful leadership at any level is about getting results, but how do the best of the best manage to consistently deliver bigger and better things? This book shares the 'secret sauce' of successful leadership, and provides an actionable framework for discovering—and developing—your own leadership skills and potential. Anyone can have the right hands-on skills, but true leadership finesse lies in the much tougher realm of developing self-awareness to lead yourself first ('Look in the Mirror'); navigating by a fixed point of personal and organizational purpose ('Embody Purpose'); journeying with others who want to follow you ('Don't Walk Alone'); and plotting a course that's beyond the line of sight of what everyone sees ('Navigate Beyond the Horizon'). By distilling the broad and complex topic of leadership into highly accessible points and discussions, The Leadership Journey is perfect traveling companion for everyone along the leadership path.

Effective leaders help people do more—and become more—than even they ever thought possible. This book gives you a practical framework for becoming the kind leader your team needs to succeed.

• Master the key elements of great leadership
• Understand why hard skills aren't enough
• Learn how to motivate and lead others
• Achieve more by helping others inspire and empower themselves

Grounded in practical and proven real-world experience, this invaluable guide packs a powerful punch. When it comes to great leadership, reaching your destination requires a precise, well-planned journey that covers all critical ground. The Leadership Journey gives you a clear roadmap with expert direction and world-class advice.

Table of contents

• Introduction: A Leader's Path
• Leading Others Begins by First Leading Yourself
• Radiate Purposeful Passion
• Start with the “Why”—The Purpose of the Journey
• Strategy—Defining the “How”
• People Make the Journey Successful
• Celebrate . . . Always
• You Are the Message
• Be in the Moment
• Anticipate What is Around the Next Bend
• Anticipating Beyond the Known
• Navigating—Course Corrections in Real Time
• Be the Catalyst of Curiosity
• Destination: Leadership
• Afterword: The Leader's Journey of Influence
• End User License Agreement

Product information

• Title: The Leadership Journey
• Author(s): Gary Burnison, Ken Blanchard
• Release date: February 2016
• Publisher(s): Wiley
• ISBN: 9781119234852

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The Leadership Journey: How to Master the Four Critical Areas of Being a Great Leader

Gary burnison , ken blanchard  ( afterword ).

109 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2016

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The Leadership Journey: Volume I Paperback – June 1, 2014

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• Print length 132 pages
• Language English
• Publication date June 1, 2014
• Dimensions 5.98 x 0.29 x 9.02 inches
• ISBN-10 1542850746
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (June 1, 2014)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 132 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1542850746
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1542850742
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.7 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.98 x 0.29 x 9.02 inches
• #12,753 in Entrepreneurship (Books)

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The Leadership Journey

You will be prepared for leadership via a suite of components that spans all four years., a first-year gateway course introduces business disciplines and the applications of business to real-world problems. additional modules focus on written and oral communications, teamwork, and interpersonal skills. integrative courses for seniors build on knowledge gained from the previous three years., a leadership journey integrated over four years.

Wharton 1010: Discover curricular opportunities (business pathways), understand your own strengths and leadership potential, and prepare for the Wharton experience.

Second Year

Wharton 2010: Develop your writing and presentation skills for business.

Management 3010: Build your teamwork and interpersonal skills.

Fourth Year

Participate in integrative/capstone courses that tackle applied problems.

Beyond the Classroom

Learning about leadership and teamwork isn’t something that’s restricted to the classroom. You might be surprised to find that your greatest lessons are learned while working on a new business with your classmates, or consulting for a nonprofit, or on a Wharton Leadership Venture.

Become a student leader

Getting involved in clubs is also a great way to flex your leadership muscles. And with more than 400 student organizations at Penn and over 50 at Wharton , it’s easy to jump right in.

Start something new

If there’s not a club or conference for your interests, chances are you can start one. Want to put your business ideas into practice right away? Launch your own startup with the resources of Penn Wharton Entrepreneurship Venture Lab .

Meet leaders on campus

Wharton and Penn’s  conferences and events  bring to campus a high level of interaction and engagement with global business and government leaders and influential  Wharton alumni . At Wharton’s Leadership Lecture Series, students hear about strategies, challenges, and successes from real-world role models, like Kevin Roberts, Worldwide CEO, Saatchi & Saatchi and Nancy Mahon, Senior VP, MAC Cosmetics.

Experience leadership beyond Penn

Take what you learn to the field. See and experience leadership in action, with international study opportunities that include Wharton Industry Exploration Program , Wharton International Program , Wharton Leadership Ventures , and research programs .

A Wharton Undergraduate Leadership Odyssey in Patagonia

Real-world learning, inside and outside the classroom, student profiles.

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260 episodes

Are you determined to navigate the competitive world of business and leadership while maintaining an unwavering commitment to your faith and values? Welcome to "Seek Go Create: The Leadership Journey." Join host Tim Winders as we explore the intersections of Entrepreneurship, Faith-Based Leadership, and Spiritual Growth. Each episode offers a blend of expert insights and personal stories to help you navigate your leadership path with purpose and impact. Whether it’s redefining success, advancing Kingdom Business, or cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset, this podcast equips you with the tools you need for transformative leadership. Connect with us to redefine success and achieve fulfillment on your own terms.

Seek Go Create - The Leadership Journey for Christian Entrepreneurs, Faith-Based Leaders, Spiritual Growth, Purpose-Driven Su Tim Winders - Coach for Leaders in Business & Ministry

• 5.0 • 3 Ratings
• APR 22, 2024

From Chaos to Calm: Kendra Nicole's Financial Wisdom for Entrepreneurs

Are you an entrepreneur who's ever felt the burden of financial chaos on your shoulders? In this captivating episode of Seek Go Create, we sit down with financial guru Kendra Nicole, CEO of Finance Femme, who unpacks the essentials of balancing "peace and profits" in the business world. From the pitfalls of poor financial data to the transformative power of professional financial management, we dive deep into the strategies that empower women entrepreneurs to thrive without compromising personal wellness. Get ready for an insightful conversation that challenges traditional notions of success and uncovers the keys to sustainable business growth. Tune in to learn how to turn financial confusion into clarity and confidence! "Peace and profits are not mutually exclusive; they are the dual pillars of sustainable entrepreneurship" - Kimberly Nicole Access all show and episode resources HERE About Our Guest:Kendra Nicole is the CEO of Finance Femme, a virtual CFO and accounting firm dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs to build sustainable and thriving businesses. With a profound understanding of the impact of financial data, Kendra is committed to enhancing informed decision-making for her clients. Her calmness amidst chaos is her superpower, helping her navigate the complex challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in the corporate landscape. Kendra’s focus on fostering a balanced approach to profitability and personal welfare makes her not only a financial strategist but also a valued partner to the women she serves, helping them to achieve peace alongside their business profits. With her background in corporate finance, Kendra carries significant experience in understanding the dynamics between financial officers and CEOs, translating it into a business model that supports strong financial management for growing enterprises. Reasons to Listen: 1. Discover How Quality Financial Data Transforms Business: Uncover why Kendra Nicole believes accurate financial reporting is vital for informed decision-making and how it can empower sustainable entrepreneurship without sacrificing personal well-being. 2. Insights into Female Entrepreneurship: Explore the unique challenges women business owners face, as Kendra Nicole shares her journey to supporting female leaders and the importance of fostering support and candid conversations in the workplace. 3. Mastering Financial Strategy with Expertise: Gain clarity on the specific roles of financial professionals in your business, learn when to hire them, and understand the intricate balance of "peace and profits" with advice from a seasoned virtual CFO. Episode Resources & Action Steps:### Resources Mentioned: 1. **Website**: Finance Femme (www.financefem.com) - The website where listeners can learn more about the services Kendra Nicole offers, such as executive accounting solutions, fractional CFO services, and tax handling. 2. **Email**: [email protected] - Listeners can directly contact Kendra Nicole or her team for consultations or inquiries about their financial planning and business strategy needs. ### Action Steps: 1. **Evaluate Financial Data**: Listeners should review their business’s financial data to assess accuracy and quality. Understanding the significance of reliable data can guide better decision making for the future of the business. 2. **Consider Professional Financial Help**: Business owners, especially those at particular revenue milestones, should consider hiring a bookkeeper, accountant, or even a fractional CFO, to manage their financial matters, which can ultimately...

• APR 15, 2024

Path to Prosperity: Stephen De Silva on Overcoming a Poverty Mindset

Are you trapped in a cycle of financial stress, feeling like an orphan in a world of wealth? In this thought-provoking episode of Seek Go Create, we sit down with Stephen De Silva, former CFO of the renowned Bethel Church and founder of Prosperous Soul Ministries. Dive deep with us as we explore overcoming the orphan spirit, the biblical approach to wealth, and how to shift from a mindset of lack to financial health. Join host Tim Winders and our insightful guest on a journey of transformation that will challenge how you see money and your purpose. Tune in to discover the spiritual keys to unlock a prosperous soul! "When we understand that our identity comes before our purpose and vision, we begin to operate from a place of wholeness rather than lack." - Stephen De Silva Access all show and episode resources HERE About Our Guest:Stephen De Silva is a seasoned financial expert and visionary leader known for his transformative work as the Chief Financial Officer at Bethel Church. With over two decades of experience managing the church's substantial growth, Stephen has honed his ability to blend spiritual wisdom with practical financial oversight. He is the founder of Prosperous Soul Ministries, a program dedicated to instructing individuals on biblical financial principles with the aim of eradicating poverty, greed, and fear around money. Renowned for his contribution to faith-based financial health, Stephen is also the author of "Money and the Prosperous Soul," a critically acclaimed book that sheds light on the complex relationship between spirituality and financial well-being. As a "recovering accountant," Stephen's journey from a traditional corporate environment to a spiritually-enriching role has positioned him as a unique and respected voice in the intersection of faith and finance. Reasons to Listen: 1. Uncover the Spiritual Aspect of Finance: Dive into Stephen De Silva’s transformative journey from a traditional accountant to a champion of financial health and spiritual freedom, uncovering the powerful connections between money, identity, and faith. 2. Challenge Conventional Wisdom: Explore thought-provoking discussions on challenging the Babylonian system of wealth, the deep-seated orphan mindset, and the adoption of a new perspective on prosperity that could revolutionize your personal and financial growth. 3. Gain Actionable Insights: Learn from a former CFO's top-down approach to vision and decision-making that extends beyond the business realm into personal life, offering a unique opportunity to reshape your understanding of purpose, identity, and financial strategies. Episode Resources & Action Steps:### Resources Mentioned: 1. **Book**: "Money and the Prosperous Soul" by Stephen De Silva – This book was highlighted by Tim Winders during the episode. It covers the concept of financial health and spirituality, diving into the four levels of purpose, identity, and meaning in life. 2. **Prosperous Soul Ministries**: Founded by Stephen De Silva, this is a financial program based on biblical principles designed to address issues related to money, such as poverty, greed, confusion, and fear. Details and resources provided by this ministry could likely be found on a corresponding website or through associated workshops and courses. ### Action Steps: 1. **Reflect on Your Financial Health** – Consider your relationship with money and how it may be connected to deeper spiritual beliefs or an orphan mindset. Spend time contemplating how this relationship might be influencing your sense of identity and...

• APR 8, 2024

Unlocking Franchisepreneur Success with Expert Kim Daly

Are you harnessing the power of your mindset to transform your entrepreneurial dreams into reality? In this compelling episode of Seek Go Create, we sit down with the dynamic Kim Daly, a seasoned franchise consultant with a two-decade track record, to unlock the secrets of becoming a successful 'franchisepreneur'. Kim challenges us to question our limiting beliefs, emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset in business, and offers invaluable insights on scaling franchises for wealth creation. Tune in as host Tim Winders delves deep with Kim into the world of franchising, exploring the nuances of choosing the right franchise and the personal journey that comes with it. If you're considering the franchise path or aiming to revitalize your entrepreneurial spirit, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom you won't want to miss. ""Success in business is 80% mindset and 20% strategy. Once you shift your thinking, the results can be astounding." - Kim Daly Access all show and episode resources HERE About Our Guest:In this episode of Seek Go Create, we are joined by Kim Daly, an esteemed franchise consultant with 20 years of commitment to the industry. Her proficiency lies in assisting aspiring business owners in navigating the path to successful franchise ownership. Kim’s vast experience and keen insight into franchising extend well beyond the common perception of food and retail, as she has aided countless individuals in discovering opportunities that align with their personal and professional goals. With a background marked by academic rigor and early entrepreneurship, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record in not only fostering franchisepreneurial success but also in championing the growth mindset vital for excelling in multiple franchise operations. Kim's dedication to the franchise community and her role in empowering others to achieve financial independence through franchising have cemented her reputation as a respected leader and an influential voice in the realm of franchise entrepreneurship. Reasons to Listen: 1. **Discover Franchising Secrets:** Uncover the often-misunderstood world of franchising with Kim Daly, a 20-year veteran consultant, and learn how to leverage franchises for wealth beyond the typical food and retail sectors. 2. **Mindset Mastery for Success:** Dive deep into the 80% mindset and 20% strategy approach that turned Kim Daly's career around, and explore how your thoughts can dramatically influence your business achievements. 3. **Personal Growth Insights:** Relate to the personal journeys of both Kim and host Tim Winders, as they share how their early experiences shaped their success and why owning a franchise could be more than just a business decision—it could be a transformational life choice. Episode Resources & Action Steps:1. The Daly Coach Website: Kim Daly recommends visiting her website, TheDailyCoach.com, for additional information on franchising, as well as to take advantage of resources like the free quiz to determine one's fitness for owning a franchise and her free ebook on picking a winning franchise. 2. FranChoice: Kim Daly has been involved with FranChoice for over two decades, an organization that assists individuals in finding the right franchise opportunity that fits their background and goals. Action Steps: 1. Assess Personal Suitability for Franchising: Encourage listeners to honestly evaluate whether they have the personality traits, skills, financial capability, and commitment to become a successful franchise owner. This can be initiated by taking the quiz available on Kim Daly's website. 2. Embrace a Mindset of Growth and Mastery: Listeners should focus...

• APR 1, 2024

Stepping Out of the Boat with Ron Cool

Have you ever felt trapped between the identity you've built and the spiritual call you're struggling to follow? In this poignant episode of Seek Go Create, host Tim Winders sits down with Ron Cool, host of "New Path, New You," to explore the transformative journey from successful entrepreneur to a life of true surrender to faith. Dive deep into real, raw stories of struggle, revelation, and the power of seeking God first in every aspect of life. Tune in for an inspiring dialogue that could challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and into a renewed sense of purpose. Don't miss this episode, where vulnerability meets victory on the path of spiritual leadership. "The journey of surrendering is not about giving up, but about growing up into the person God designed you to be." - Ron Cool Access all show and episode resources HERE About Our Guest:Ron Cool is a spiritual mentor and podcast host who leads by example, inspiring men to embrace faith and purpose in all facets of life. With a poignant personal history as a driven entrepreneur, Ron faced a pivotal identity shift that led him to prioritize his relationship with God and his family. His podcast, "New Path, New You," is a testament to his commitment, offering raw and meaningful conversations aimed at guiding men—and resonating deeply with women—on their spiritual journeys. Ron's story is characterized by surrender, obedience, and transformation, showcasing his dedication to helping men evolve into spiritual leaders for their families and communities while walking a path of faith and self-forgiveness. Reasons to Listen: 1. Discover the transformative power of faith: Learn how Ron Cool's journey of surrender and obedience to God reshaped his personal and professional life, offering valuable insights for anyone seeking purpose and guidance. 2. Engage with raw, relatable stories: Ron's candid sharing of his struggles and victories provides a real-life testament to the struggles men face in balancing ambition with spiritual growth, resonating with listeners from all walks of life. 3. Gain practical advice on spiritual leadership: Uncover Ron's mission to help men become impactful spiritual leaders in their families and communities, and draw inspiration from the practical steps and experiences shared to strengthen your own faith and relationships. Episode Resources & Action Steps:**Resources Mentioned:** 1. "New Path, New You" podcast by Ron Cool – A podcast where Ron Cool assists men on their spiritual journey, available on various platforms. 2. "The Chosen" TV show – Mentioned by Ron Cool as influential in his spiritual understanding and growth. **Action Steps:** 1. Spend scheduled time in prayer and reflection to prioritize your relationship with God, akin to how one would prioritize a committed marriage relationship. 2. Practice surrender by identifying areas of your life where you are resisting giving up control and consciously decide to trust in God's provision and plan in those aspects. 3. Listen and be open to God’s messages, whether through scripture, prayer, or community; evaluate the decisions and directions they suggest in your life to ensure they align with your spiritual values. Resources for Leaders from Tim Winders & SGC:🔹 Unlock Your Potential Today! 🎙 Coaching with Tim: Elevate your leadership and align your work with your faith. Learn More📚 "Coach: A Story of Success Redefined": A transformative read that will challenge your views on success.

• MAR 25, 2024

Crafting Impactful Narratives for Leadership and Growth: Insights from Guillaume Wiatr

Have you ever considered the power of narrative in shaping your life and work? In this riveting episode of "Seek Go Create," Tim Winders engages with narrative strategist, Guillaume Wiatr, who reveals how strategic narratives can transform our personal and business journeys. Guillaume shares invaluable insights on the essential stories that mold our reality and influence our values, decisions, and cultural perceptions. Dive into a discussion that promises to shift your perspective on success, resilience, and the art of storytelling. If you're ready to uncover the narrative that drives your journey, this episode is for you. "Framing your narrative is not just about what you've done, but who you've become through the highs and lows of your journey." - Guillaume Wiatr Access all show and episode resources HERE About Our Guest:Guillaume Wiatr is the founder of Metahelm, where he utilizes his expertise in strategic narrative methodology to empower professional services firms. With a passion for blending business with the exploration of life's meaning, Guillaume has carved a niche in guiding organizations to align their professional endeavors with their personal values. His innovative approach involves specializing in storytelling, enabling leaders to craft narratives that resonate with their audience, fostering resilience, creativity, and impactful communication. Through his work, Guillaume has become a driving force for companies seeking to define and express their unique stories in a compelling way. Reasons to Listen: 1. Uncover the Power of Strategic Narratives: Tune in to hear Guillaume Wiatr articulate the transformative influence of narratives on leadership and decision-making, unveiling four immediately actionable stories that could redefine your personal or professional journey. 2. Embrace Growth and Change: Get inspired by Guillaume's own riveting origin tale and learn how re-framing your life story can lead to resilience, creativity, and unexpected success amidst life's inevitable ebbs and flows. 3. Expand Your Influence: Delve into the principles of strategic narrative methodology with the founder of Metahelm, and discover how you can wield narrative power to create a compelling and cohesive identity that gathers people and shapes your impact on the world. Episode Resources & Action Steps:### Resources Mentioned: 1. **Guillaume Wiatr's Website**: Visit metahelm.com for a free assessment and to access tools related to strategic narratives. 2. **YouTube Video**: Watch Guillaume Wiatr's video "Systems of Stories" on YouTube for a deeper understanding of narrative frameworks. 3. **Guillaume Wiatr's LinkedIn**: Connect with Guillaume Wiatr on LinkedIn to follow his professional insights and engage with his content. 4. **Strategic Narrative eBook**: Guillaume Wiatr has authored a book on strategic narratives. Get a free PDF online for a comprehensive guide on the subject. ### Action Steps: 1. **Assess Your Narrative**: Take the free strategic narrative assessment on metahelm.com to evaluate the current state of your personal or business narrative. 2. **Define Your Core Stories**: Reflect on and write down your own origin story, opportunity story, perspective story, and the vision for creating the opportunity of a lifetime. 3. **Engage with Strategic Narrative Practices**: Utilize the 12...

• MAR 18, 2024

Beating Chaos with Purpose: Strategies for Integrating Faith and Business with Gary Harpst

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of leadership and seeking a path that intertwines purpose with business acumen? In this impactful episode of Seek Go Create, host Tim Winders sits down with seasoned CEO Gary Harpst to explore the intricate dance between order and chaos in the world of business. They delve deep into how biblical principles can provide a foundation for creating meaningful success and the vital role of personal purpose in navigating life's turbulence. Join us as we uncover the wisdom Gary lays out in his book "Built to Beat Chaos" and discuss the transformational journey of integrating faith into leadership. This is a conversation that challenges conventional views on success and paves the way for a fulfilling approach to business and life — perfect for leaders and entrepreneurs craving a profound alignment between their work and spiritual values. ""We are designed to have dominion and bring order out of chaos, but it's pivotal to align that desire with our God-given purpose." - Gary Harpst Access all show and episode resources HERE About Our Guest:Gary Harpst is a seasoned CEO, author, and thought leader who excels at integrating biblical principles into business practices. With extensive experience advising CEOs of growing companies, Gary brings a unique perspective to leadership and organizational development. His transformative "Lead First" philosophy guides leaders to build kingdom-minded values within their organizations, emphasizing the importance of purpose in both personal and professional realms. As an author, his book "Built to Beat Chaos" offers a blend of scripture, practical business skills, and scientific insight, aimed at senior leaders seeking to navigate their faith in the business landscape. Gary's commitment to fostering human relationships as assets in business sets a standard for excellence and stewardship that extends beyond mere financial success. Reasons to Listen: 1. Discover how to thrive amidst chaos: Tune in to learn from Gary Harpst's insights on finding purpose and creating order, blending practical business strategies and deep spiritual wisdom to navigate life's turmoil effectively. 2. Explore the transformative power of purpose: Gary Harpst reveals how aligning business practices with biblical principles can redefine success and leadership—essential listening for senior leaders seeking to integrate faith and work. 3. Gain life-changing perspectives on work and retirement: Join the candid conversation between Tim Winders and Gary Harpst as they challenge conventional views on retirement, redefine lifelong purpose, and share crucial lessons for both young and seasoned professionals. Episode Resources & Action Steps:### Resources Mentioned: 1. **Book:** "Built to Beat Chaos" by Gary Harpst – A valuable resource for senior leaders interested in integrating their faith with business and understanding the role of purpose in overcoming chaos. 2. **Website:** Leadfirst.ai – Gary Harpst's website that offers various resources and writings about the intersection of faith and business, including tools for managing a growing business. 3. **Sermon:** Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) – A biblical passage that host Tim Winders listens to every morning, which could serve as a spiritual resource for listeners. ### Action Steps: 1. **Reflect on Purpose and Order:** Take time to consider your own approach to chaos and order in your life and business. Reflect on your personal...

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• THE JOURNEY
• LEADING YOURSELF
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Start your journey together with other leaders.

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leading yourself

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In 8 weeks of intesive practice, you establish a basic foundation of mental fitness.

Establish habits, mindsets and routines to maintain your mental fitness for business and life.

leading others

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Leading people, leading teams, leading change.

Focus on leadership in a fast changing world: Understand and apply agile leadership and distributed leadership, which includes leadership in self-organized teams.

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Understand organizations and companies. Focus on the most relevant thing to change with maximized impact on the whole organization.

Apply and combine hierarchical line, matrix, project- and self-organization principles for the better.

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This course is a powerful synergy of neuroscience, cognitive psychology, positive psychology and performance science.

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The process is continuously supported by our experts. In addition, an app will help you to develop powerful habits and to increase mental strength to lead yourself.

Maximize your leadership potential with minimal time investment : 15 minutes a day and two 1-hour weekly sessions. In just 8 weeks, you’ll develop lasting, effective habits for a total of 680€—that’s an efficient 85€ per week.

leaders about PQ and the leading yourself module

Kurosch a., head of marketing, villeroy & boch.

„Overall, the course confirmed knowledge about my personality. The added value for me are the concrete, practical tools that improve my mindfulness, effectiveness and satisfaction. A great experience that I can highly recommend! My personal thanks go to Dr. Michael Cölle, who made the program possible for me and is a very appreciative and sensitive coach.“

MATTHIAS B., DIRECTOR, MICRON TECHNOLOGY

„This course increased my focus, created significant more of self-awarenss and reflection on my internal processes on reacting to others. A strong benefit for leading myself. Michael and his team guided us in very professional and supporting way. A great course, that I can highly recommed.“

K. AFCHANI, EXCECUTIVE MANAGER, MEISSEN

„Through the course I am able to approach concrete situations from my private and professional environment differently and to act differently and more competently in them. This increases my own satisfaction, leads to positive feedback and enriches me and those around me.“

CHRISTIAN F. HR, IT-TECHNOLOGY

„This program with positive intelligence in focus deepened my understanding of interpersonal dynamics and self-awareness, enabling me to cultivate a more inclusive and effective workplace culture.“

IBRAHIM K., COACH

„The ‚Leading Yourself‘ program has enriched my toolkit as a personal coach, enhancing my ability to guide clients towards self-awareness and holistic growth.“

S. B., EXECUTIVE, CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

„This module has significantly improved my self-awareness, emotional intelligence, resilience, and decision-making skills. It’s not just a professional development tool; it has brought balance and fulfillment to all aspects of my life, making me a more effective leader, family member, and community participant.“

SHARON PINEDO, HEAD OF SALES (WORKPLACE), FACEBOOK*

„All my life I thought my high achievements were impossible without feeling constant stress. I’ve now learned to achieve even more with a calm and clear mind. I’m now enjoying every day, not just the final accomplishments.“*

JAMES D. WHITE, FORMER CEO, JAMBA JUICE*

„Positive Intelligence can change your life and transform your business. A real game-changer.“

JIM LANZONE, CEO, YAHOO, INC.*

„The tools and techniques to raise PQ are simple, concrete, and pragmatic, yet incredibly effective. They help me remain focused on what truly matters and grounded amidst the swirl of daily life.“

Cedric L., Nestlé*

„PQ provides a deeply effective ‘toolbox’ to address entrenched bias and leverage our own strengths to drive happy performance for individuals and teams. It’s leadership development in action, not just words.“

SUSANNE M., IT AND AGILE EXPERT

„Working in a fast changing IT environment, this program was a revelation. It sharpened my ability to navigate complex projects with greater self-awareness and adaptability, and fostered a more collaborative and innovative mindset, enhancing both my personal growth and team dynamics.“

ELIZABETH EISNER, DISTRICT SALES BUSINESS MANAGER, NOVO NORDISK*

„I have had 80% of my sales team undergo PQ, and it has profoundly impacted how we interact as a team and with our customers. My team is more productive, and sales results demonstrate the impact.“

BRAD FISHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FEATHERSTONE HOLDINGS*

„I’m working half as hard and generating twice the results. It’s amazing what’s possible when you use these powerful tools.“

JESSICA HERRIN, CEO, STELLA & DOT*

„The concepts are phenomenal — a true revelation in the way to think and handle work and life’s challenges. Besides the lasting impact on myself, I’ve loved hearing how many people this has touched in my company.“

BRUCE ZALI, VP OF SALES & MARKETING, PROMISE TECHNOLOGY*

„It has been life-changing on so many levels. I’m so much more effective and have so much less stress in every area of my life — from blowing past revenue targets at work to far more fulfilling relationships at home.“

STEFAN B., CORPORATE STRATEGY - ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

„I greatly value this moudle for its emphasis on recognizing ‚bad feelings‘ as signs of expectation-reality mismatches. It offers effective tools for learning from these emotions, quickly shifting to a more constructive state, ultimately enhancing productivity and overall happiness in daily life and business. Its strategies seamlessly integrate into real-world situations.“

*This reference is cited directly from the PQ Website ( https://www.positiveintelligence.com/ ). It reflects what leaders think about the PQ programm.

Our modern time needs new ways of leading.

You as an individual and leader…

• …embrace essentiell modern leadership techniques.
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• …leverage the full potential of your people, self-organized teams and agile structures.
• …navigate the course for your business’s next level or even breakthrough.
• Together with other leaders and our experts you discover and apply what is needed to be a leader in our modern world. It is about hands-on practical experience with instant impact on your leadership skills and your business life.
• There is great input: We cover the traditional basic foundations but focus on what is really new and needed in our fast-changing world, using artificial intelligence and ways to create and lead high performing teams.
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• Experience and reflect with your peers in the workshop – and make a big step forward in the performance of your team, your organization and your business.

Elevate your leadership in concise, expert-led workshops. The module leading others consists of a 1-day base workshop . For a more comprehensive experience, the base can be intensified with two optional 2-day deep dives . .

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Finding his calling: Nick Stanley’s journey to leadership

During his childhood summers in Fort Worth, Texas, Nicholas Stanley would regularly get woken up by his grandmother for full days of fishing. She would strap down five long cane poles on top of her minivan and drive them to wherever the fish were biting, and she and Nick would sit along the riverbank for hours until they had caught their limit before heading home to have themselves a delicious fish fry. He fondly credits his grandmother for inspiring him to fish, chase bugs, and embrace the landscapes and wildlife around him at an early age.  

Following these warm memories, Nicholas, who goes by Nick, attended Grambling State University, a historically Black university in Louisiana to pursue a career working with animals.  After learning about the university’s wildlife program and being taken under the wings of dedicated mentors, Stanley soared into a wildlife conservation career. This trajectory would eventually bring him into various leadership roles national wildlife refuges across the U.S. The National Wildlife Refuge System is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and provides habitat for wildlife and public recreation opportunities for visitors far and wide.  

Jumping in order to fly  

Determined to help animals, Stanley was initially enrolled in the pre-med/veterinary program at Grambling.   

One day while walking down his school’s hallways, he was intrigued by a Department of the Interior logo posted outside of the office where he learned about the school’s wildlife program. He then attended several speeches given annually by refuge manager, Pon Dixon about working for the Service. Dixon would later become one of Stanley’s greatest mentors. The decision to change his course to pursue a wildlife degree would lead him to work with some of the nation’s most spectacular wildlife from bighorn sheep and sandhill cranes to the California condor, meeting his initial goal to assist animal species in ways he never imagined. 

While completing his degree, Stanley gained early experience through an internship program (now part of the Pathways Program) at Desert National Wildlife Refuge in Las Vegas. He fell in love with the National Wildlife Refuge System after seeing his first bighorn sheep there many years ago. His decision to intern paved the way toward a career with the federal government.  

After graduating, he took a leap of faith and moved his family from Texas to California where he took his first permanent position at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge   as a refuge operations specialist and at Pixley as a refuge manager. At Pixley, he learned everything about natural resource management while managing the refuge’s 3,500 acres of grassland and waterfowl habitat. Nick worked diligently for years at those refuges, taking on more responsibility until he eventually became the project leader at Kern.  

“My career progression was not traditional. I feel grateful that I was able to stay in the same place for much of my career, but I got a wide variety of experience doing different things at the same location,” said Stanley. “I always challenged myself to try to do something different, not just being the status quo at that refuge. That helped me grow as a leader and as a refuge manager.” 

After more than 20 years of working at Kern, Stanley gained the expertise needed to lead his current team at Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, championing efforts to save North America’s largest bird, the California condor, from the brink of extinction.  

A birder at heart 

While studying at Grambling, Stanley participated in weekly bird surveys as part of the wildlife program for more than two years. He studied all types of birds from neotropics and waterfowl to wading birds while living in Louisiana.  

“I do consider myself a birder at heart,” said Stanley. “When I was at Pixley, I fell in love with the sandhill crane. So much so, that it inspired me to write a children’s book called Sandy’s First Flight.” Pixley National Wildlife Refuge receives anywhere from 5,000 to 12,000 sandhill cranes, annually and provides significant seasonal marsh wetland habitat other waterfowl.   

Now at Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which manages the California Condor Recovery Program, Stanley has found a passion for the California condor, a species that had only 22 birds left in the wild in 1982. Today, the Service, and its public and private partners, have grown the total wild free-flying condor population to more than 300 condors through the Recovery Program. 

“Their recovery story alone makes you fall in love with them to persevere and make it back from the brink of extinction.  Although we still have a long journey ahead to get the California condor population where it needs to be, we are in the fight,” Stanley says.  

Outside of work, Stanley keeps a list of all the birds he’s seen in his life, traveling as far as Costa Rica to see new birds and wildlife. “Getting out into nature and enjoying it helps center me, and it helps reinvigorate the passion I have for wildlife,” he said. 

In addition to birding, Stanley and his family enjoy the outdoors through hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and simply hanging out in their backyard.  

When speaking about his experiences outdoors, whether professionally or recreationally, Stanely says, “It is not for one particular group over another. Just because you’re the only one who looks a certain way, doesn’t mean it’s not for you, it just means you need to bring more friends with you.” 

Others like me

Thinking back on his time at Grambling State University, Stanley fondly remembers the kindness and mentorship offered by Dixon of the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, who ultimately encouraged him and other wildlife program students to pursue wildlife conservation careers with his monthly visits to the historically Black university. “I am thankful for the energy he put into us…I appreciate him for always coming back to Grambling and recruiting us. He still checks in on me.”  

He also recalls the influence of Jerome Ford, a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. Learn more about national wildlife refuge manager in Louisiana at the time, and now the Assistant Director of the Migratory Birds Program who also regularly visited Grambling to recruit and encourage African American students to take on conservation careers. “He let me know there were other people who looked like me that did this job, which I was not aware of at the time.”  

There were other mentors, who were not people of color, who were equally as devoted to helping Stanley develop into the leader he is today. “David Hardt at Kern, who took me under his wing...he didn’t look like me, but he treated me like his own son, and I learned everything that I could from him.”  

Flying Full Circle

Reaching the role of a project leader, where he was often the only person of color within leadership, was not easy, but he is proud of the increased emphasis on hiring diverse staff within his region.  

When speaking about being a Black leader in the Service, Stanley says, “I’m still adjusting, for lack of better terms, to often being the only one, professionally. I think we have made huge strides as far as diversifying the workforce within refuges. It used to be that I was the only person of color, and now I’m not and which says a lot about the leadership we have within refuges. Within the Service as a whole I am proud to be one of three refuge project leaders of color in the nation, at least that I know of.” 

Stanley emphasizes the importance of his mentors in helping him reach the level of leadership he has obtained which now motivates him to foster and help the next generation of diverse leaders. “I think it is my responsibility now, to do what Pon Dixon did for me, which is mentor the new people who are coming in, who aren’t so sure of their place in the Service. 

“My advice to everyone is, don’t be afraid to step out on faith and be the only one.”   “That gives you the opportunity to help change things from within.”    

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Thunderbird at ASU grad shares inspirational journey from Haiti to global changemaker

Jean Kensle Figaro (left) with Thunderbird Professor Kannan Ramaswamy. Figaro is graduating with his Master of Global Management this May.

Editor’s note:  This story is part of a series of profiles of  notable spring 2024 graduates .

Jean Kensle Figaro, a native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, is set to graduate from Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University this May with a Master of Global Management. His passion for creating sustainable change in his home country of Haiti and the wider Caribbean region led him to enroll at Thunderbird. 

“My decision to attend Thunderbird was influenced by the alignment of Thunderbird’s vision with my own: ‘a world with sustainable and equitable prosperity.’ During the American Express Leadership Academy in 2019, I experienced the Thunderbird environment firsthand and met inspiring faculty members. Given the pressing need for global-minded and tech-savvy changemakers in my country, the Caribbean region and the world, Thunderbird’s program, global mindset, experiences and network were the perfect fit,” he said. 

Reflecting on his time as a T-bird, Figaro expressed immense pride in the institution.

“The Thunderbird community and alumni network foster empathy and appreciation, regardless of where we come from," he said. "I take pride in the achievements of our alumni and aspire to contribute even more." 

Jean Kensle Figaro and his Master of Global Management cohort take a celebratory photo after finishing one of their final classes.

Photo courtesy of Jean Kensle Figaro

Jean Kensle Figaro, who hails from Haiti, said his decision to attend Thunderbird "was influenced by the alignment of Thunderbird’s vision with my own: ‘a world with sustainable and equitable prosperity.’"

During his studies, Figaro learned valuable lessons that went beyond business. He credited Professor Kannan Ramaswamy for his impactful teaching style and ability to challenge perspectives.

“Professor Ramaswamy left an indelible mark on my intellectual and professional development. Both his competitive strategy and global strategy classes are like no others. His global strategy classes challenged my perspectives, and his teaching style forced me to read between the lines, look beyond numbers and think critically,” he said. 

Looking ahead, Figaro is committed to addressing access to education and has a dream of a stabilized and thriving Haiti, where education, security and opportunities abound, keeps him motivated. He wants to contribute to sustainable change and make the world a better place one step at a time. 

"Education can uplift entire communities," he said.

For incoming Thunderbird students, Figaro's advice is simple yet profound: "Engage, be involved and get to know your classmates and professors." He emphasized the unique global environment Thunderbird offers, which fosters lifelong friendships and cultural understanding and added, “Because of Thunderbird, I now have very close friends coming from 10 countries and four continents. You will get that nowhere else. I have met people from all over the world and got to experience different cultures and perspectives. A two-year immersion in a truly global environment.”

Question: What’s something you learned while at Thunderbird that surprised you or changed your perspective?

Answer: It only takes one "yes." Despite visa denials for our Global Challenge Lab project, our faculty mentor, Professor Hunsaker ’s encouragement taught me that life hinges on that one chance, that one "yes." All it will take is for someone to believe in us, give us just one chance. Also, there is no such thing as opportunity without insurance. In my Valuation of Private Firms class, I learned that due diligence, risk hedging and recognizing value opportunities, creating that safety net, are essential principles applicable beyond business.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: Access to education: Having experienced the transformative power of education, I would focus on ensuring universal access to quality education. Education knows no bounds and can uplift entire communities. I am from a very humble family. The first to finish high school, earn a bachelor’s degree and now completing my master’s. I can see the impact of my education on my family and my community. It sends a strong message of what one can do when they have access to education.

Q: What motivates or inspires you?

A: “To whom much is given, much is also required” — this is my motto. I believe that I received a lot; a scholarship from HELPR to study economics at Université Quisqueya, one of the most prestigious universities in my country; SHARE Fellowship to pursue my master’s in global management at the No. 1 university in the U.S. for innovation and No. 1 in the world for international trade. Without those scholarships, I would not be able to afford any of them; therefore, a lot is required from me. I need to give back and give back better. 

Q: For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

A: I'm grateful for so much in my life! My mom and sisters have been incredibly supportive, especially my mom who made huge sacrifices to ensure I had access to the best education she could afford. Thanks to the generosity of the SHARE committee at Thunderbird and HELPR, I received full scholarships for both my bachelor's and master's degrees. Their belief in me opened doors I never thought possible. I am grateful for God. He has always been a source of strength, and I know he will continue to guide me as I strive to create positive change.

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Polio Eradiction Is Within Reach: Here’s What It Will Take To Get There

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We're in the last mile in the fight to eradicate polio, but progress is fragile. As long as the disease is a threat anywhere, it remains a threat everywhere. A look at how UNICEF and partners are working to reach every child with lifesaving polio vaccines.

In Kwango Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 5-year-olds Makiese, left, and Madinu brandish red cards after receiving their polio vaccinations. In August 2023, the Ministry of Health, with support from UNICEF and partners, launched the "Red Card Against Polio" campaign using the popularity of soccer to garner widespread community support for childhood vaccination, with the aim to "Kick polio out of DRC" and protect children from other vaccine-preventable diseases.

There is no cure for polio, only prevention

Since the introduction of the first polio vaccine in the 1950s, fully vaccinated children have been protected from the dangerous viral illness that attacks the nervous system, causing paralysis and sometimes death.

Today, polio is on the brink of eradication, but conflict, climate disasters, displacement and vaccine misinformation are hindering efforts to reach some of the world's most marginalized children with lifesaving vaccines.

On Nov. 7, 2023, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan Fran Equiza gives a polio vaccine to a young boy who has just returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan with his family.

In 1988, a public-private partnership was formed to reach every child in every country with the polio vaccine. Led by national governments and supported by six core partners — UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance — the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) vaccinates over 400 million each year, maintaining 99 percent eradication in global polio.

After almost four decades of close collaboration, more than 3 billion children have been vaccinated. The wild poliovirus has been wiped out in much of the world — today, it's confined to a few districts in Afghanistan and Pakistan .

On Feb. 29, 2024, polio vaccinator Hafsat Mikauli 30, marks a girl’s finger with a whiteboard marker to indicate she has received the polio vaccine in Makurdi Gagi, Sokoto South LGA, Sokoto Sate, Nigeria.

Smallpox was eradicated in 1980 — polio could be next

Thanks to the commitment of community health workers (CHWs), government leadership and GPEI partners, polio is poised to become the second disease to be declared eradicated, after smallpox. UNICEF and partners and will not rest until every child is protected.

In February 2024, a young girl shows her finger, marked to indicate she has received a polio vaccination near her home in Aden, Yemen, as part of a critical polio campaign, launched with support from UNICEF.

What does reaching the final mile look like?

The poliovirus is transmitted from person to person or, less frequently, through contaminated food or water. To eliminate polio, every child in every household must receive multiple doses of the vaccine. Millions of “zero dose” children, those who have not received a single dose of the polio vaccine series, remain vulnerable.

On April 14, 2023 in Lahore, Punjab province, Pakistan, two vaccinators and a social mobilizer travel by boat to conduct an integrated outreach activity to vaccinate children in an area where the population lacks access to a nearby health facility.

In significantly under-immunized populations, a strain of polio related to the weakened live strain found in the oral vaccine can arise. The lower the population's immunity, the longer variants can survive, replicate and exchange genetic material to become more dangerous strains. Most of the recent cases have been recorded in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, northern Nigeria, south central Somalia and northern Yemen.

A fully immunized population will be protected against both wild and vaccine poliovirus strains.

On Nov. 7, 2023, two boys sit in the back of a truck at Afghanistan's Torkham border with Pakistan in eastern Nangarhar province. Since September 2023, thousands of Afghans living in Pakistan have returned to Afghanistan through the Torkham crossing in Nangarhar province and the Spin Boldak crossing in Kandahar province. Around 60 percent of returning Afghans are children.

Battling misinformation by building trust

One of the greatest impediments to polio immunization is widespread mistrust of vaccines. Trained CHWs, the majority of whom are women, are the front line in reaching every child with lifesaving vaccines. In addition to administering vaccines to children ages 0 to 59 months, they dispel misconceptions and fears around vaccine efficacy.

Health care worker Hafsat Isah, center, speaks to nursing mothers who brought their children for vaccination in Kofan Rini PHC, Sokoto State, Nigeria, on March 5, 2023.

Many female health workers are mothers themselves; they build trust by sharing their experience vaccinating their own children. Women vaccinators can also enter households that may prohibit unrelated males from entering due to religious or cultural norms.

On April 18, 2023 in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, Lady Health Worker (LHW) Shamim Hussain chats with a man and a child on a bicycle.

Engaged leaders boost vaccine acceptance and embrace sustainable health systems

UNICEF and partners engage with governments and community leaders to enlist them as immunization advocates. Visible leadership participation in campaign launches and household visits reassures communities of vaccine safety.

In Mogadishu, Somalia on March 4, 2024, a community leader, center, spoke with representatives from UNICEF, the Ministry of Health, Banadir Regional Administration (BRA) and WHO, who visited polio campaigns and went house-to-house in Dheriyaale Singaale IDP camp in the Hodan District, with health mobilizers to ensure children received the lifesaving polio vaccine.

From donkeys to drones — vaccines stay cold every step of the way, no matter how far the journey

Ensuring every child under 5 receives multiple rounds of vaccines requires supply chain management and procurement and distribution capability that only UNICEF offers. UNICEF leverages its unrivaled supply chain and cold storage capability to procure and distribute more than 1 billion doses annually.

A drone carrying polio vaccines from Matawale Health Center lands at Magomero Health Center in Zomba, southern Malawi on July 14, 2023.

Once vaccines are procured and designated for specific clinics and communities, health workers use any conveyance necessary to cover the terrain between vulnerable children and vaccine administration.

With diligence and determination, they reach the most remote areas and large populations of people traveling within countries and across borders.

On Nov. 7, 2023, vaccinator Sayed Nasrullah Atayee, carrying a cold box full of vaccines, sets out by motorcycle from Layaba Basic Health Clinic in Layaba village, Fayzabad district, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan.

The legacy of GPEI and polio’s eradication

Beyond the elimination of the poliovirus, in many areas, GPEI has developed an infrastructure that strengthens local health systems and provides a blueprint for other disease outbreaks and public health crises. Without vaccination campaigns, the under-5 mortality target for SDG 3: Ensuring good health and well-being for all at all ages cannot be met.

Many public health systems now have a highly skilled workforce that can break down cultural barriers and build trust in immunization and routine health activities. Resources previously spent on polio activities can be invested in other critical health and nutrition interventions for children.

A UNICEF-supported vaccination team crosses a bridge over the Ulindi River in South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, to vaccinate children against polio on August 14, 2023.

Give a UNICEF Inspired Gift that helps UNICEF deliver lifesaving vaccines to protect children from polio.

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Interstellar research: UI alum at NASA hosts space technology panel

University alumni Prasun Desai held a panel on Friday discussing NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and his journey while working at NASA for the past 33 years. 

The NASA STMD focuses on transforming future missions while ensuring American leadership in aerospace. Desai serves as a deputy associate administrator of the STMD, where he works with experts to define and invest in innovative space capabilities such as landing systems and advanced propulsion systems. 

“My journey of how I started where I am, was not planned and what I am doing now is something I swore I’d never do as my natural career but here I am at NASA Headquarters doing it,” Desai said. “It is a journey and as our organization is evolving, opportunities will arise because of that evolution, be open to those possibilities.”

NASA is divided into distinct mission directorates, and Desai helps coordinate and plan all of NASA’s next-generation space technologies through his role as deputy associate administrator of the NASA STMD. 

“I think 15 years ago was the last time I’ve been on campus after spending a number of years here getting my graduate degree,” Desai said. “We are actually as we speak, pivoting in how we organize and we think about making investments after 13 years and lessons learned and how we are looking to change and evolve.”

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In Desai’s role at the STMD, he also supports executive leadership, strategic planning and effective management for all elements of the space technology programs. The STMD has a $1.2 billion budget, and Desai helps coordinate the full range of space technology programs such as budget execution and formulation. 

Desai spoke about the human interest in visiting Mars, as rovers and landers have been present on the planet. Recent technology highlights, such as the LOFTID Inflatable Decelerator were discussed and the effects they could have on future exploration on the surface of Mars.

LOFTID’s demonstration of a large aeroshell involves the benefits of utilizing the inflatable decelerator design for space applications such as landing heavy payloads and landing at higher altitude locations. 

“If we want to send humans, which we as humans will do at some point due to the desire, we are trying to make that happen sooner rather than later,” Desai stated. “We are able to land a car right now, but we need to be able to land a house and because of the way the atmosphere is on Mars we are currently not able to do that.”

Desai has contributed to the development, design, analyses and flight operations of multiple innovative NASA missions. Such missions include the Mars Exploration Rover , Stardust and Genesis . 

The Space Technology Research Grants Program is an STMD program that accelerates the development of low TRL space technologies to support future space science and exploration that NASA or government agencies might need. 

“Space Technology Research Grants are how we really aim to go towards academia, the University of Illinois has been our second largest awardees,” Desai said. “We have 40 grants that we have worked with at the University of Illinois, we have 17 active right now.”

Desai has been honored with multiple awards from NASA for his contributions, including two Exceptional Engineering Achievement medals, an Exceptional Achievement medal, an Outstanding Leadership Medal, a Presidential Rank Award and an Exceptional Service Medal in recognition of his substantial impact during his tenure at NASA. He was bestowed with the 2005 National Engineer of the Year Award by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

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