FRANCES HESSELBEIN AND THE MIRACLE OF YOU

AbstractThe author notes that during Frances Hesselbein’s tenure as CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA in the 1970s and 1980s, she was “lacking a peer group of fellow female CEOs.” Yet this may have been a source of her innovative leadership. The author writes that “Frances embraced the diversity of people, places, ideas and experiences long before any of that was in the corporate lingo.” Hesselbein’s ability to make people feel special and unique is captured by the author as “Frances saw you for the miracle of you. No judging or comparing. She was fully present; you were always the most important thing to her and you felt valued and heard.” Her effect was so profound on the author that it led her to start a new initiative that creates video, podcast and newsletter resources: “Frances inspired me to launch Say It Skillfully®, which is my own effort to help others say what needs to be said while still treating each other with respect and dignity.”