Leading Today

As a social sector organization committed to strengthening the leadership of the social sector, and their partners in business and government, we look for ways to share wisdom and resources with our wonderfully diverse, multicultural customers across the sectors.

We have learned we cannot simply say, "Here are resources that will enhance your leadership." We have found that only by focusing on the realities and concerns of the customer can we create the platform that enables the opportunity for customers to address and discuss their own critical management issues.

Our annual Leader of the Future Award Dinner attracts leaders from all sectors—business, government and the social sector—to honor and learn from those whose work, careers and examples inspire citizens around the world. On Tuesday, October 16, leaders at every level will gather in New York for a remarkable experience. You can learn more about the event on our website and there is still room for you.

Our online Global Webinars have become another space where unique perspectives and personal expertise is shared—where customers can reflect on their past experiences, and challenge themselves with new possibilities.

October 18 marks our next Webinar, BEING a Leader LIVE! series. Already, more than 150 of you have registered, from countries including Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria, Japan and Malaysia.

By the time October rolls around, we expect at least 400 leaders from 40 countries to be online with us. We hope you will be one of our friends we welcome to our Global Webinar.

Frances Hesselbein
President and CEO
The Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute

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Author Terry A. Smith makes the case that people are happiest when they are working in their "Area of Destiny" – defined by Jack and Suzy Welch as "that gorgeous piece of emotional and intellectual real estate that exists at the intersection of what you're uniquely good at and what deeply interests and excites you." Learn more

Promote civic legacy | Help revive meaningful commemoration of patriotic dates and holidays—inspired by the 1932 global celebration for George Washington's Bicentennial Birthday— that reinforce what Abraham Lincoln called our "bonds of affection." Learn more about the Civic Legacy Foundation.

PROFILE IN INNOVATION: The Other Side of Immigration

Each month, we profile innovative sources—a person, organization, service or program—to inspire and inform our network.

Before Roy Germano became a Doctor in Philosophy, he waited tables in Chicago, befriending his co-workers: cooks, washers, and bus boys—the majority from Mexico and other parts of Latin America. These relationships soon exposed him to one of multiple answers to the frequently asked question, "Why immigrate?"

"Many Mexicans," says Germano,"especially ten years ago, came to the United States with a plan to stay temporarily in order save up money and go home in two years." Today, young people immigrate because of too few options in their own community for future career prospects.

RECOMMENDED READING: BE FEARLES | Take risks, be bold, and fail forward

Set audacious goals. Act urgently and boldly, be unafraid to risk, be willing to strike unlikely alliances, and accept the possibility of failure while still pressing forward.

The Case Foundation—approaching their 15th year creating and supporting initiatives that leverage new technologies to drive innovation in the social sector— found that they were most successful as change-agents when they were fearless.

Through their Be Fearless campaign, Case identifies five principles that go hand in hand with their definition of being fearless. "We think of them as a set of markers that can help identify when decisions are being made fearlessly," says co-founder Jean Case.

Be Fearless has already sparked dialogue with institutions, philanthropic investors and individuals — leaders at every levels.

In addition to case studies and examples of fearlessness across sectors, Case defines being fearless by what it is not: "It's not reckless abandon, foolhardiness or arrogance, or presuming we have all the answers." Download Full Report and Take the Pledge to Be FEARLESS.

"I try to be the right leader for the moment. Sometimes that means trying to inspire the organization with new ideas that might challenge the status quo. Sometimes that means jumping in and helping solve a problem with a client or IDEO team. Sometimes it means stepping back and leaving room for someone else to take the lead but being there to support them."