Pastor Trish McRae ~ Chollas View UMC

On Wednesday, I met with my Pastor, Trish McRae at my church, Chollas View UMC. She was able to help me understand the applications of my faith to leadership, as well as some really great pointers. Here's the interview! Enjoy:)

Q: Please provide a quick bio of your life.
A: I was born in Sacramento in 1958. I attended Sacramento City College. From there I went to Seattle Pacific. Afterwards, I attended Yale Divinity School. I then proceeded to work at La Jolla UMC as a children's director. Then I worked at Rolando Community Church. I then went to Chollas View UMC in 1991 and have been here ever since. I'm also the pastor at Lemon Grove UMC.

Q: Please describe your current job.
A: I am the pastor in charge of two United Methodist Churches (UMC). My job entails preaching, giving sacraments (communion, baptism), preforming marriages, overseeing funerals, leading (teaching the scriptures in five different bible studies, discipling (training people in the christian faith in an age range from youth to young adults to adults), pastoral care in the form of counseling, seeing to other people's physical needs, giving guidance, going to court on behalf of others, intervening in family needs, schools situations, and community problems.
***Wow! Did you get all that? She basically does everything!***

Q: What is your leadership style?
A: Humor! Yay! In other words, it is very informal and people orientated. It's not especially... how can I put it... "academic." I also believe that we should do things as a community. Instead of telling people to do things I really have to help people to identify their gifts using guidance as opposed to orders. However, I do have to set boundaries.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a leader?

Best. Selfie. Ever.

A: The advantages of being a leader are seeing people grow and become the people that God wants them to become. On the other hand, the disadvantages are when people don't like what you have to say and the lack of growth that sometimes occurs.

Q: Whom do you lead?
A: I lead all ages. As of right now I am also trying to teach other leaders.

Q: Who are your role models and/or a historical figure that you look up to? Who taught you how to be a leader?
A: Jesus is my #1 role model. My other role models include my spiritual mentor (Joyce), my husband as a spiritual mentor (Dr. Pastor Riley McCrae), a retired businesswoman that lived down the street that was also a Christian and had quite a testimony (Lillian), and a single parent with a real trust in God that really supported me (my Mom).

Q: What are your keys to successful leadership?
A: I'm very different. A lot of leadership deals with the intangibles. I would say that you have to turn to the Lord, trust in the Lord, keep your eyes on God, know that he is there, know that he'll fight the battle, be humble, and have humility.
1) Take up your position and do your homework (learn the facts, make a list of pros and cons, prayer, study, chew on the word, do whatever you have to do to be prepared).
2) Stand firm in your faith. You will want to run away at times out of frustration and discouragement.
3) See the deliverance of the Lord and understand what God wants you to do
DO NOT GET DISTRACTED by yourself or anything else, always be thinking of OTHER people.

Q: What advice do you have for me as an aspiring leader?
A: READ 2nd Chronicles verse 20. It states that you have to trust god and do what he says, worship God, praise him, look for him, and have faith.

Q: What skills should I be developing?

Having a discussion

A: You should be disciplined in reading the bible, after all the word discipline is derived from the word DISCIPLE. Get into the habit of reading the Psalms' and learning about God's love.

Q: How did you get to your position?
A: I had a troubled childhood, but God was there. I started off with the intent of being a missionary (didn't work out). I wanted to be and elementary school teacher (didn't work out). I wanted to be a biologist (didn't work out). I wanted to be a christian missionary (didn't work out). I wanted to be a foreign missionary overseas (didn't work out). I went to seminary and knew I wasn't going to get a Master of the Arts and Religion, so I took Divinity. I ended up helping out at a protestant service with a pastor and somehow ended up in ministry (FINALLY). After many trial-and-error opportunities, I finally ended up in the right place, the place where God wanted me to be as he fulfills the desires of our hearts (sometimes even the ones that we don't know are there).

Danielle Baldwin ~ Cox Communications

Special thanks to Mrs. Baldwin for doing this interview for me and Ms. Roya for setting it up. You guys are great!:)

Q: Please describe your current job.

Danielle Baldwin

A: I work for Cox Communications as a Senior Project Manager on the business side for voice products. In other words, I handle complicated phone services for businesses with all sorts of features. 

Q: What is your leadership style?

A: I am flexible, which means I listen and adapt to different people. For example, there are some people who always want direct, simple, straight forward, and to the point conversations and others that prefer softer, more "beat around the bush" techniques - it simply depends on the person and their style. You just have to make yourself accessible to people. 

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a leader? 

A: The advantages are that you get to help people develop and grow. The disadvantages are the difficult decisions such as firing/ letting people go. But, you know, you just have to go with your gut and know that they can't stay employed and even though it can be hard to make the decisions, they are necessary. 

Q: Whom do you lead?

A: Right now I don't have any direct reports, but at my old position I did have people that reported to me.

Q: Who are your role models and/or a historical figure that you look up to? Who taught you how to be a leader?

A: I really look up to John Wooden. Have you read any books by him? You should. * He's my hero and I just really love his style. I've had the opportunity to work with some really good leaders and some really bad ones and I just learn a ton from both. I emulate those that I like and I try to refrain from making the same mistakes that the bad ones make.

Q: What are your keys to successful leadership?

A: My style, again, is to listen  and use a socratic method at meetings. I live by the talk 20%, listen 80% method because to me it is important to help guide people towards their own decisions so that they don't feel like you're telling them what to do. You want them to make the decision themselves. In other words, give them all you can without taking over.

Q: What advice do you have for me as an aspiring leader? 

A: You're doing a great job! Listening, and continuing to learn are going to be the things that you need to focus on the most. I'm a big believer in that you learn your entire life and curiosity, passion for what you're doing, and just furthering your knowledge are incredibly important. You really have to want it and be willing to go for it!

Q: What skills should I be developing? 

A: Your communication, writing, presentation, verbal communication, and relationship skills are really key.

Q: Do you think leadership skills transcend the work place? How so?

A: Absolutely. All day everyday leadership skills are important. I am involved in lots of nonprofits. In fact, right now one of my projects is starting a charter school. There is a significant home importance. You have to be humble. Plus, you can apply your skill anywhere. 

Q: How did you get to your position? 

A: I actually had a set plan at about your age but life takes you in and spits you out and you end up somewhere - it's not always where you think you'll go either. You have to be passionate about what you're doing. In fact, when I was about 15, I told my mom that I would never work in sales. Look where I ended up! I actually took school pretty seriously and made it through grad school, which was really good for me but my point is that you have to take different opportunities (like I did) and know that your grand plan might not always work out and that life is a journey.

Q: Career path? 

A: Nope, that about sums it up. You just have to be passionate about it. My passion is helping people, especially because I find other people fascinating. 

Q: Were you/are you mentored by someone? 

A: I have been being mentored since my first day at my job and I still have several mentors. I have one in particular that is really significant to me and I meet with regularly that helps me to get insight when I need it and is really great.

*I actually have a book by him checked out right now!

Samaya ~ ASB President

Today I interviewed my friend Samaya, the president of our school (Roosevelt IB Middle School) ASB (Associated Student Body) as my first interview. This was very exciting considering it was the first interview for this project! I am scheduled for an Interview with a woman from Cox Communications this evening at 8p.m. Today I also met with my Seminar Symposium facilitator, Mr. Cortes, and I left with the excited feeling that this project is finally coming together. Again, special thanks to Samaya Elder for doing an interview with me!!!

Q: What does leadership mean to you?
A: I think leadership is being an example to others and guiding them in the right direction by nurturing, instructing, or helping them out.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a leader?
A: One advantage of being a leader is that great feeling that you get when a project/assignment/activity goes well and you know that you played a major role in the process of completing it. A disadvantage of being a leader is when a project/assignment/activity doesn't go well and you are criticized or blamed for it.

Q: Whom do you lead?
A: I lead the ASB (Associated Student Body) as their president.

Q: Who are your role models and/or a historical figure that you look up to?
A: I look up to my parents because they have taught me so many life lessons and some of my peers because of the quality work and the personalities that they have.

Q: What are your keys to success?
A: I think that a good leader respects others, refrains from being bias, is nice, and is themselves.

Q: What advice do you have for me as an aspiring leader?
A: Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, be able to take criticism, and know that some people just aren't going  to like you no matter what. Also, sometimes you have to be bossy to get work done.

Q: Is the ability to speak in front of a crowd important to you? Why or why not?
A: To me it's very important to be able to speak in front of a crowd because sometimes you have to give instruction, host events, and to lead a group it's kind of necessary.

Q: Please provide a quick description of your current job.
A: I am the President of ASB, so my job is to host school dances, fundraise for events, be the "face" of ASB, and unite the student body.

Q: Please provide a quick bio of your life.
A: I was born and raised in San Diego, CA and have lived here my whole life. I am a 13 year old girl with lots of dreams that wants to be successful in life. I love Niall from one direction and watching videos on youtube. Yay!

Fun Question: If you could have dinner with someone, living or dead who would that be? Why?
A: If I could dine with anyone, it would have to be Dan Howell because he has inspired me to lead others by being myself and setting a good example. 




***A picture of her will be coming soon***

Listen for Potential ~ Quiet Leadership

"Talk with someone and see what happens..."

Today I spoke with Aylin, my science partner. We chatted about lots of things such as her favorite show now a days.., and somehow our conversation drifted to 1,000 ways to die and her favorite scenes. It was great just to listen and have a calm and cool conversation. We also chatted about nails and hair and dumb TV commercials. I found myself listening and joking with her. It was great. At some point in the conversation and that was fun too. I guess the point of this conversation was to enjoy chatting, though I'm not sure.

Quiet Leadership ~ David Rock

This is my third book for this project and well, frankly I'm excited to see what it has to offer me in terms of new or repeated information. If it is repeated then I'll know that there are common themes between people and that the information must be important. It's akin to what they say about the bible - how when things are repeated, or there are patterns then they are important.

Cover:
From just looking at the cover I get a pretty strong sense of what I am to find in this book. "Help people think better - Don't tell them what to do!" Is located directly below the title and so that seems to be what it will be about at first glance.

Inside Cover:
David Rock identifies his understanding of the frustration that comes with going around in circles as a leader and his goal to help break that cycle. This is a "brain-based approach" is to help improve the work of the leader and his colleagues. This book provides a 6-step guide to do so and so that you (the reader) can perform at their best.

Introduction:
In this introduction the author explains his intent to explain the 6-step guide for quiet leadership and helping to create better interactions between people. He also uses a disclaimer to show that he is going to use very scientific terms... but try to explain them all the while. (hmmm... this may be a deal breaker, we'll have to see...)

Notes:
There are some useful exercises that I might use! Look for them in later posts... I think that these are all that I'm going to use from this book due to the content.

Insights I Got From Noticing How I Listen to People ~ Quiet Leadership

As I listened to my mother talk about her work day and what she had/had not accomplished. I found myself listening for a chance to be funny because at some points in our conversation the tone dipped into a little bit of anger, depression, and frustration. I was listening to some external distractions, though I did try rather hard to block out both my brother's conversation with my father and the basketball game. I was listening to what was going on with her as to be supportive and a good daughter and howI could help (though in this respect it seemed that just talking it out with her was the most help). And, finally, I was listening to understand her problems/dilemmas. All in all, it was a pretty good conversation in that I was a fairly active listener - though after making these points I should definitely strive to be even better at this as listening is a HUGE part of leadership.

Mom & I in Kauai Zip Lining

Women Lead The Way ~ Linda Tarr-Whelan

My experience of reading more than half of "On Leadership" was not a pleasant one. It turned out to be a very dull and tedious book that in an overall sense wasn't very informative at all. Today I journeyed to the Chula Vista Public Library and I checked out several new books. From now on I will be skimming and scanning to pull the key information out of the text. My mother and I discussed this strategy and she was a big help in finding the new material. I am also hoping to get all of my interviews completed this week so that I am not extremely stressed in the next three weeks before this symposium project is due.

On the inside cover:
Linda states that her goal is to make the 30% plan happen (here she has not explained it) and to close the leadership gap between men and women. She also hopes that the book will help more women to either get into leadership or help aspiring leaders to improve their tactics and become more successful.

Foreword:
Marie Wilson explains how women are underused and only occupy between 16% and 20% of major leadership positions. She advocates for the 30% plan (though at this point I still have no idea what that is), tells that women are catalysts for change, and explains her relationship with Linda, the writer of the book.

Preface:
Linda explains her belief that having more women leaders can make a big difference. The book is supposed to be a guide to becoming a transformational woman leader. She tells of her own rocky journey and how she hope that this book will make the journey for others easier. The 30% plan makes it so that at least one-third of a decision-making group as women can have powerful positive outcomes ( Yay I finally know what that is!). She also explains how one of her other goals is to eradicate degrading and untrue myths for women. Also, we must help other women climb up with us to create equality.

Introduction:
She opens with a blurb on an inspirational pin that sits on her desk and goes on to explain the link between Rwanda's success and the majority of women leaders that is present in that country and the link that that has to its success. She then goes into paralysis of women in the home due to family responsibilities (though this does not apply to me now, it will in the future so it is a good point).

Takeaways:
* The 30% plan is essential to success (189 countries have ratified it, including the U.S.)
* Companies with more woman directors have more success
* Women bring fresh ideas (In India women brought huge change)
* Sometimes our climb to the top is stalled or very slow
* Much of our power and ideas remain unused
* Bring more leaders up with you to create faster change
* Nothing is impossible (The word itself says I'm Possible - hehehe)
* Do everything you can to decrease the possibility of failure
* Make a difference by being ready when opportunity knocks
* New women leaders is exactly what we need today
* You can never think too big

Potential Interview Questions

* What kinds of jobs can you find in leadership today?
* What kinds of degrees/experience do you need to become a leader in the professional sense?
* What tricks do you think a leader should have up their sleeves at all times?
* What does leadership mean to you?
* What are the perks of being a leader? The disadvantages?
* Who are your role models?
* Who did you lead/ who do you lead currently (groups, people, etc.)?
* How did you discover that you wanted to be a leader?
* Why does the world need leaders? What makes them important? In your opinion would we be better off in a state of nature?
* Who are some historical leaders that you have learned from?
* Is the ability to speak in front of a crowd important? Why or why not?
* What obstacles have you encountered on your journey to become the best leader possible?
* Describe your leadership style.
* What are your keys to success?
* What advice to you have for me as an aspiring leader?

Prior to the interview I am going to :
* Take a picture of the person
* Put together a brief bio on them
* And get a brief description of their current job

Updates as of 5/2/13

While reading "On Leadership" by Donald J. Palmisano I have often found that it is above my reading level...
New Vocabulary Words:
Sepsis - a medical disease in which the body has a severe response to bacteria or other germs
Anaphora - the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses
Jargon - special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand
Gripe - a complaint
Careening - to tilt, lean over
Derelict - in a very poor position as a result of disuse and neglect
Omnipotent - having unlimited power, able to do anything
Beget - to give rise to, bring about
Appositive - relating to or being in apposition
Totalitarianism - a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator
There have been recent references to...
*Nineteen Eighty Four (I am picking this up now because I own it and I have neglected to ever read it... though Mr. Cortes, my history teacher, did say it was creepy and not great... still...)
* Creative Think
* New Think
* A Whack on the Side of the Head
* The Lively Art of Writing
*And many more!!!
Apparently there are whole schools, degrees, libraries... on leadership according to my parents... I am going to research these things!

On Leadership ~ Chapter 4

A Primer on "Homework"
Doing your homework and research to be prepared and informed is essential to success during an event or really any type of meeting with people. (I should go into my Zoo Corps involvement, FPSI, Music Club, testing... etc but I shall save this for another time). The informative part is extremely important as one must be informed and up to date with technology and facts to provide a good argument for pretty much anything and everything. The same goes for events in the past. This part also speaks on never leaving anything to chance as bad things can happen. So, you should always attempt to stay one step ahead of the opposition. My top two "Lessons Learned" were: Observation and logical pursuit of of the evidence lead to truth. I was also fond of the one that talked about how the pursuit of excellence and leadership can be a lonely one, but success is worth the potholes en route. THAT WAS THE BEST PART OF THIS BOOK THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THUS FAR OhhMmmGee IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE STORY OF MY LIFE!

On Leadership ~ Chapter 3

The Essentials of Leadership: Success Cornerstones and More

Learn how to identify the essentials of leadership (does not become rattled in a crisis, understands that division leads to failure, does their homework, is decisive, is ethical, etc.). The idea that crisis creates leaders is critical; in a crisis leaders emerge. Two examples of great leaders were explained in this chapter that really exemplified all of the traits listed above and even more. My top two "Lessons Learned" were: Sometimes a crisis tests a leader's ability to really "deal" and really LEAD. I was also fond of the cornerstones that included doing your homework, courage, persistence... and much MORE. 

On Leadership ~ Chapter 2

Advice From the Past: Foundation of Success
In this chapter, the author, Donald J. Palmisiano gives examples of past leaders and some things that can be learned from them. For example, his dad, an officer that acted as a true leader should and risked his own life to save others by handling a situation calmly and being decisive. My top two "Lessons Learned" were: A crisis frequently tests one's courage and The commmitment to "Do your homework, have courafe - and don't five up" is vital to anyone seeking success.

On Leadership ~ 1st Chapter

The Antithesis of Leadership
In this chapter several important points were made by the author. These included how people substitute excuses for leadership, leadership as opposed ti opportunism, and how decisiveness is critical. I noted in the reading of these 14 pages that there are some extraordinary academic language that was used. For example: parishes, pander, abdicate, interoperable, and levee. I really liked how the author, Donald J. Palmisano used hurricane Katrina as an extreme lack of leadership and how he then proceeded to analyze the event with excerpts from news sources during the actual event. I also liked how he laid out his lessons that he learned. My favorite was... okay, I couldn't decide between two. "False leaders are everywhere during times of calm, and then are inept and indecisive in an emergency," and "To prevent future failures, past failures must be studied. Lessons must be learned and implemented." That's all for now. Chapter 2 here I come!:)

Updates

Hey guys, sorry it's been so long since my last post, but I am doing stuff;) First of all, I have generated a list of potential interview questions and I am in the process of wheedling them down. Second, my dad convinced Bill Freeman (retired army Colonel and current president of San Diego Education Association) to have a future interview with me so I'm trying to set one up. And third, I found a book called "On Leadership" and I have begun to read it and will give an update on the first chapter as soon as I complete it.
REMINDER: The 'Cool Question' contest is still going on... to enter just leave a comment. Thanks!:)

Zoo Corps Involvement

As many of you may know already, I am an active Zoo Corps member at the San Diego Zoo where myself and other teens volunteer their time to spread awareness of a variety of topics to the general public. Just today I was there and I took both a written and oral test. I think that both of these went pretty well, but I have yet to learn the results. Anyway, I got involved with this program partly because it was related to wildlife and the zoo, but mostly because I wanted to explore my passion of leadership and public speaking. More on  this coming soon:)

Speaking to a Group

We all know that at some times speaking out to a group... whether it be friends, family, classmates, or any type of organization. I myself love to speak to people and I highly enjoy public speaking. I know that not everyone is an extrovert (such as myself), in fact, there are many introverts out there. Verbal communication is a huge part of social interactions in our lives. How hard would it be for you to go to school/work/wherever all day without speaking to anyone, even your pets. Think about it. For some people it wouldn't be very difficult, but for others you would need to enforce things such as duct tape to reach that goal. If you want to try this you can google day of silence free the children and register... but I don't feel that many could achieve that. But, even a few hours with a sponsor can help. Seriously, you can make a difference by getting a few sponsors... and not speaking. Whoa! Huuuge tangent. Back to public speaking. I find that speaking in front of your peers/people that you know can be much, much, much scarier than speaking in front of those that you don't know. This can be due to the fact that you know that it can live with you if you mess up and such. I have lots of experience in public speaking: in the 5th grade I gave a 'vote for Maya' speech (I lost the election if you're wondering), in 6th grade I gave a speech on 'better education' for a rally, 7th grade I wasn't in much, this year (8th grade) I am the vice president of the Music Club on campus, was president of FPSI (future problem solvers international), and I am involved in Zoo Corps (a post for another time). Personally I like to be involved in things, and being involved in activities and groups requires speaking - often to a group (whether it be large or small). Here are my tips for public speaking:

• Know what you're going to say
• Practice your entire speech
• Imagine your entire audience with underwear on their head/standing in their underwear! Yes, an oldie but goodie (it works)!
• Speak clearly
• Try to maintain a steady pace
• Enunciate 
• Try to use positive words and get your listeners to see the bright side of whatever you're talking about
• Project your voice
• Smile!!!:):):):):):) This cannot be stressed enough!
• MAKE EYE CONTACT!!!
• DO NOT: mumble, act like you know everything in the whole wide world, or talk for too long, cross your arms, sway or rock (distracting), look nervous

If you follow these steps you should turn out just fine:) 

*the eye photo is for EYE CONTACT:)* 

Cool Question Contest

Hey! All of you creative people out there: I have a challenge for you!At the end of each interview that I complete I want to ask a really cool question about them. Such as:

• Who would you love to have dinner with, living or dead? 
• If you could be anyone for a day... who would you be?
• If you could steal someone's wardrobe whose would you steal from? 
• If you could live anywhere in the whole wide world where would you live?
• What was your most embarrassing moment of all time?
• What is your favorite ice cream flavor, etc.

Please, bring your creativity and help me out. Or, if you like one of the questions above then which one do you prefer? Thanks so much!!! The winner will be thanked repetitively and will know the response to the question first each time someone is interviewed:)

Next Steps

My next steps are going to be to develop a list of questions for my interviewees and to try to set up these interviews with people. I am also in the process of composing letters asking both Michelle and Barack Obama for interviews. If they respond yay! and if they don't, then they don't. To clarify, these would be email correspondence interviews, not in person because these are two VERY busy people, if you know what I mean. The LEADERS of a NATION, that's pretty huge. I'm hoping for the best though!

Definition of a Leader

lead·er  

/ˈlēdər/

Noun The person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country. A person followed by others.

Synonyms chief - head - conductor - guide - director - captain **again, courtesy of google**

The Definition of Leadership

lead·er·ship  

/ˈlēdərˌSHip/

Noun The action of leading a group of people or an organization. The state or position of being a leader.

Synonyms guidance - lead - direction - management - command **this is google's definition**

People I Would Like to Interview ~ Suggestions Welcome!:)

•         Dr. Cabello (leader of a school)
•         Pastor Trish McCrae (leader of a church)
•         A teacher (leader of a classroom)
•         My parents (leaders of a family)
•         Cecil Steppe (Former leader of Urban Corps and other organizations)
•         The mayor (leader of a city)
•         The president (leader of a nation)
•         Samaya Elder (leader of the student body)
•          John Agoh (leader of Free The Children)

·      Suggestions welcome!:)

All About Me, Maya Gabby!

Hey! My name is Maya Gabby. I’m a bossy 13 year old (soon to be 14) that loves to run, read, and lead all sorts of different groups! I am obsessive about my grades and crazy about my two dogs (and my tarantula)! I am the class clown and the first (or maybe second) picked for team sports in PE. I dislike mustard (and mustard yellow) and Randal from Monster’s INC. seriously frightens me. Yes, an animated monster created for a PG movie scares me. I’m on a mission to show the world leadership through a regular ole 13-year-old girl’s eyes. I want to learn more about being a leader, and in the process become a better leader myself. My bossy side is about to be transformed into my leader side. New, improved, and on its way to helping others become better leaders as well. 

What? Why Leadership?

So, it’s just a regular Wednesday, as usual. I’m riding home form school in my car and I start a conversation with my mom about my seminar symposium project. A seminar symposium project at my school is a project that all of the seminar students at my school, Roosevelt MS, must complete. Each year we must do a project on the theme that is introduced. A short history…

6^th grade: Everyone was split up into groups of 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders and given a topic to create an imovie on. It was a DISASTER because of my group’s lack of effort, and the challenges we faced along the way. On the other hand, I was the leader and I felt that I did all that I could to make the project the best that it could be.

7^th grade: Exploring your passions. This was an individual project that consisted of picking one of your passions and pursuing it. I chose entomology and created a picture/informative book on entomology (the study of bugs) and bugs from around the world. **See Attached**

8^th grade (present): Exploring your passions again! However, this year I chose one of my other passions, LEADERSHIP! In fact, that’s what this blog is all about!

Anyway, back to my conversation with my mom… So, I wanted to start a blog. At this point, I didn’t know what my blog would be about or anything like that, but I wanted my final product to be some sort of educational blog.

Mom:  Okay, but what would your blog be about? Music? Track? Literature?

Me: No, no, no. 

Mom: What about leadership?

At this point I’m completely hooked.

Me: But what would my blog actually be about?

Mom: Well, you could look at different leadership positions, literature on the subject, conferences, what it means to be a leader…

Me: Mom, you’re a genius!

As our car drive continues we discuss the logistics of the project and I am super excited! I often visit NPR.org as soon as I arrive home so I proceeded to hop on the computer. The first article that caught my eye was “In Animal Kingdom, Voting of a Different Sort Reigns.” It sounded interesting, so I clicked on it. My first response was OMG! It’s a three part series on leadership. Yup, that’s when I decided to create this blog. This is my niche. I’m a leader all day long!

**Link to article: www.npr.org/2012/10/24/163561729**

Leadership

Hmmm… what comes to mind whenever you see or hear that word? It’s different for everybody. For me, it is what has inspired me to write the blog – stay with me.