Graceful Leadership

Wonder and Belief

lorrainerinker — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:50:58 +0000

I was honored to be a key note speaker at the Senior NCO Leadership Conference for the HIANG 154th Wing in Hawaii on September 12, 2008. That was almost a year ago. Yet, today I find myself thinking of the words, Wonder and Belief, over and over again.

Maybe it’s because today is the 46th anniversary of the delivery of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. Along with his last speech (“I’ve Been to the Mountain Top”) delivered in 1968, King’s powerful words resonate with me to this very day . . . “In these powerful days, these days of challenge will make America what it ought to be, we have an opportunity to make America a better nation.”

Or, maybe the words “wonder and belief” go through my head because of the loss I feel over the recent passing of one of our great leaders, Ted Kennedy. His dreams for a better world, his bright outlook for our cumulative potential, and his passion for fighting for what he believed in – all of these things come to my mind as I right this entry.

So in honor of all the authentic leaders of our world, I want to share the script from the second part of a two-part speech I delivered to the amazing men and women in service for our country. “Wonder and Belief” was also inspired by and dedicated to the authentic leaders, past and present, who touch my personal life everyday: Robert S.K. Lee Jr., Robert E. Rinker, Ira Vanterpool, Richard Dooley.

Please take a moment to read my keynote: Wonder and Belief

Encourage others to imagine the future

lorrainerinker — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:55:07 +0000

Graceful leaders are unafraid of the unknown. They have a sincere curiosity that fuels their own energy which in turn affects that of others. There is a willingness to go beyond the normal bounds of their knowledge sources in order to broaden their perspective. These leaders imagine possibilities and opportunities - – and they encourage others to imagine the future.

Knowing that asking questions that spark innovation and creativity is much better than having “answers” themselves, graceful leaders encourage others to reach their potential.

From Mary Ellen Slayter’s Learn to Glow: “They are on an inner quest that ignites their own energy and that of others. Ask questions that spark energy, to engross and interest others as well as your own curiosity. Create visions that compel. These are visions of the future that you and your colleagues can buy into, that encourage others to imagine the future and to become excited about being involved in that future. Craft meaningful and exciting work.”

Sure, you want logic and rational thought to be a part of the problem-solving process. But you need more than that. I would imagine (now more than ever) the need for creativity and innovation has never been greater. The potential for disruptive ideas in science, medicine, and technology are out there just waiting to be discovered and applied to help get us ahead of this recession. And, it is a matter of a sense of urgency – the “good kind” - based on “relentless focus on only doing those things that will move business forward” (John Kotter).

There are many big ideas yet to be unleashed. Graceful leaders inspire others to be their best by energizing them to imagine the big opportunities of the future with their hearts and minds. How? By creating and sustaining a sense of urgency about what they’re doing. And that means supporting the efforts of others by enabling them to do the right things – - starting NOW!

Faith in Leadership

lorrainerinker — Sat, 30 May 2009 21:25:04 +0000

Today more than ever, it is imperative for established leaders to guide emerging leaders on the path of graceful leadership. We need all hands on deck as stewards for a bright future. We already possess everything we need to make a positive impact on the world of tomorrow. All we need to do is inspire each other to be our very best.

It all starts with you.

A HOPI ELDER SPEAKS:

“You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is THE HOUR. And there are things to be considered…

Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader.

Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, “This could be a good time! There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water. And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt. The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

Oraibi, Arizona
Hopi Nation

Image Credit: Fotki

Growing up Graceful in Leadership

lorrainerinker — Tue, 12 May 2009 05:50:18 +0000

Graceful leaders are unafraid to lose, able to perform graciously under tremendous pressure, and would move heaven and earth to do the right thing. They know when to be quiet and when to speak, when to rest and when to intervene. They strive to do their best while not seeking perfection. They are honorable.

I grew up in a family of graceful leaders. Three members who come immediately to mind are my Grandmother, my Dad, and my younger brother; all practitioners of graceful leadership and role models for me. To be surrounded by grace, to grow up among these graceful leaders and learn “the way” – -

With an art for living their legacy, I believe the graceful leaders we are lucky to know during our lifetime also leave significant footprints. Yet, those of us who are left behind are not expected to walk directly in their footsteps because we can follow “the way” while leaving our own unique prints in the sand.

To all those practicing Graceful Leadership (past and present), I offer the following words of inspiration from Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee:

High Flight

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds – - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air,
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee (No. 412 squadron, RCAF)
Killed 11 December 1941