FRANCES HESSELBEIN CARED FOR PEOPLE FIRST

AbstractThe author recounts his friendship with Frances Hesselbein, and conversations that tied her leadership philosophy with genuine care for others. For Hesselbein, “valuing all people and giving them a voice in matters that were important to them was the right thing to do.” The author continues that “People gave their best efforts for Frances because she helped them feel they were part of a worthy mission and showed them she cared about them.” Drawing on the years when Frances was the CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA, he lists various reasons for her success with that institution, including “She kept up with what was going on in the lives of those around her and personally reached out to anyone when congratulations or consolation were in order.” And: “In planning and allocating resources, she introduced a circular management process that involved nearly everyone within the organization.”