Comments on: Coach Blanco- Lead Where You Are?

by: Mike Plourde

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:51:15 +0000

Dan…Once again….you nailed it! We must know and acknowledge what our part is in anything we do and understand our own responsibilities. There is a philosophy that comes out of Seattle Washington….from the Pike Place Fish Market….that says…”everything starts with myself”….and you are saying the same thing.

It is very easy to point the finger the other way. I too was not in favor of the war from the beginning. But I, also, did not raise my voice nearly loud enough. I must be honest and accept my part in what has happened or has not happened.

To lead with one’s best self…..one must lead oneself as well - and perhaps firstly ( is that a word? “firstly” ? I guess it is now…). And…there is no “do as I say…not as I do….”.

Incidently….the Pike Place Fish Market has a web-cam…go to pikeplacefish@pikeplacefish.com…..and click on “web-cam”. Watch their approach on how they do business…It’s worth it!

by: mary cordes

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 06:09:08 +0000

Sometimes the “Katrinas” come when you least expect them, without warning. And while the first response may be to run and hide, if you are truly brave enough to lead, you just keep going forward, and pretty soon you find others following. Forward is the only safe direction. Satchell Paige said something like “don’t look back, something might be gaining on you”.
Conversely, the blessings come unannounced too. It must be a real blessing for Governor Blanco to have Coach by her side.

Mary

by: dan

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:40:32 +0000

Anne,
Thanks for sharing your poem. Those who can retreat to a quiet place within are really blessed. I think some people don’t know how to find such a place, and all of us are challenged to find that quiet when the “hurricanes” are upon us. Here’s to the “whispering soul!”
Danmulhern

by: dan

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:38:12 +0000

Sorry about your losses. Grateful for your perspective.

by: dan

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:37:32 +0000

Keith,
I love your line about “what will people think if you don’t?” Popularity and morality are in two totally different worlds!
Dan

by: dan

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:33:17 +0000

Angela,
What a great and strong attitude. It will serve you well!
Danmulhern

by: Anne M. Jess

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 21:24:20 +0000

Your comment about the noise stirred me to submit this poem that I wrote during my Masters program in Organizational Design & Renewal at Seattle University.

Those Little Whispers

Listen to those little whispers,
Gentle reminders,
Hushed beneath your thoughts

Forget the shouting, and
Chaotic uproars
The distraction of sudden noise

Listen for the silent breath, as
Slight breezes
Peacefully sigh in your quiet mind

Envision the tap, tap, tap, of
Tiny pebbles
Ever-growing circles blooming in still waters

Listen … as your soul whispers,
Peaceful wisdom,
Where you are and where to grow

©Anne M. Jess
February 2007
Inspired by Steven Spielberg, in Rosh Hashanah Readings: Inspiration, Information, Contemplation, Edited by Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins, © 2006, Jewish Lights Publishing, page 62

by: Roberta

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:30:40 +0000

Dan:

I am always grateful to read your comments on Monday mornings. Yesterday, however, I didn’t, because I was attending my uncle’s funeral. My Mom died just before Mother’s Day this past May, and this was her “baby brother”. It’s been a challenging year.

Always you remind us that many (most) things are simply not within our control, and admonish us to “lead with our best selves” anyway. Your use of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 as an analogy was wonderful. “The amazing opportunity to create greatness out of devastation..” This is a concept, a faith that can be applied to every challenge I face: as a parent, as an educator, as a human being.\

Thanks for your vision!

by: Edna Williams

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:27:08 +0000

Dan:

Thanks for the timely article and insight today. We all, as you’ve stated, lead in some way. Faith and perisitence will always win out over placing blame, avoiding the heat, or doing nothing. Being an adult is hard work, the kids will find out soon enough Standing on what you believe and then doing what you believe is best for the greater good is how we ultimately will judge ourselves.That, to me, is true heroism.
Keep us the encouraging work!

by: Keith Cooley

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:10:25 +0000

Dan…

This is a really powerful missive for us today. The simple admonition to “lead where you are” is something we know.. if we choose to really examine ourselves… but sometimes it does get lost “in the noise” of the day to day.

And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve faltered for the moment wondering “what will others think if I do this?”

Thankfully I’ve 40 years of experience now to draw on that admonishes me with “… what will others think if you don’t?”

Taking the lead with less thought about how decisions will affect your standing with others and more thought about what it does for the greater good is something we can all get on board with. Your column today pushes us along that path.

Thanks, friend

by: Nancy

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:01:27 +0000

Your thoughts today are great! It is so true that in the middle of the storm, whether it is environmental, physical, political or bureaucratic, it is difficult to keep the vision, sort important information from noise, and keep your own energy level high and positive. From my experience, I believe those who support us, coupled with a deep faith and prayer, are essential to making it through the storms. Having the sources such as coaches, friends, spouses, that I could honestly rely on for candid feedback during the peak of the storm’s roar, have been so important to knowing whether I am still leading in the right direction. They serve as a compass.

by: Angela

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:11:55 +0000

Truer words have never been spoken! Your column today tells the reality of being a leader in today’s world whether it be as a parent, a department head, a government official or a soldier. Leaders in this day and age must lead with purpose, hope, faith in themselves and others and with a sense of mission that does not respond to opinion polls and negativity. We have many great leaders in this nation and many Monday night quarterbacks, but the leaders see the future and go for the goal. Leadership is never easy, but the fruits of the labor are the rewards.

by: Susan

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:47:24 +0000

Today’s article was great. Recently I had a discussion with a member of my management team. I was trying to explain to her that you have to start where a person is and lead them to where you want them to be.
I believe that all managers need to learn that point. It will cut down on a lot of frustration.