conversations with leaders changing (y)our world.
Legacies of War on Storytelling as Part of Leadership with Sera Koulabdara Ep. 29
EPISODE SUMMARY
Serving in multiple leadership roles throughout her career, Sera Koulabdara knows a thing or two about being mission driven as Executive Director of Legacies of War, the only international U.S.-based advocacy and educational organization working to address the impacts of the American Secret War in Laos and conflict in its neighboring countries of Cambodia and Vietnam during the Vietnam War-era, including the removal of unexploded ordinance (UXO) and victims/survivor assistance.
On this episode, as we discuss leadership in our personal and professional lives, communication and how self-care makes you serve others more effectively.
CLICK HERE to listen to our conversation
A FEW KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE
6 things on being an aspirational leader
Belief in what you do and live it everyday
Persistence
Learning from our mistakes
Ask for help
Over communicate because things can be misinterpreted. Come from positive intentions
The importance of being kind to others and self-care for yourself
The importance of storytelling to demonstrate leadership
Feeling safe is a human and universal right
SHAMELESS PLUG
Write to your members of congress on the things you care about
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
What would it take for you to feel safe in your neighborhood or community?
LINKS AND RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Nelson Mandela quote : “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
OTHER EPISODES OF INTEREST
SIPS & Leadership (Ep 35): Devon Davey on Social Entrepreneurship and Leadership
SIPS & Leadership (Ep 25: Gary Bagley of New York Cares
SIPS & Leadership is a monthly livestream on LinkedIn, highlighting leaders changing the world who are engaged in social impact and public service (SIPS).
Vaccinating the World with Jason Cecil, Ep. 28
SIPS & Leadership Episode 28 with Jason Cecil on Vaccinating the World
EPISODE SUMMARY
Working on the policy side of CDC, Jason Cecil is a lawyer by trade and now a public health analyst. Jason is working with various cross sectors to eradicate polio. He believes that you have to come at people as equals, and develop relationships with local leaders to move your organization forward with bigger impact.
CLICK HERE to listen to our conversation
A FEW KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE
Eradicating disease globally takes a lot of behind the scenes work in various cross sectors, not just one organization
Infodemic is a term used by WHO that describes false information especially around the pandemic and immunizations
The importance of working with local opinion leaders with influence and community
SHAMELESS PLUG
PolioEradication.org on how it impacts our current day
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
What industries do you think could benefit working with cross sectors?
LINKS AND RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
SIPS & Leadership is a monthly livestream on LinkedIn, highlighting leaders changing the world who are engaged in social impact and public service (SIPS).
Leadership as an Antidote to Bullying with Susan Raisch, Ep. 27
SIPS & Leadership Episode 27 with Susan Raisch on Leadership as an Antidote to Bullying
EPISODE SUMMARY
A Former public relations and public affairs consultant for more than 25 years, Susan Raisch is an author and speaker specializing in issues that affect the home, education, and health. She has worked on projects for a wide variety of television and publishing companies, including HBO, MTV, Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop, ABC News, Scholastic, and HISTORY, among many others. She also recently worked with the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) in the WTC Health Program, which treats and monitors the health of the FDNY certified 9/11 first responders.
We talk about the misconceptions of bullying, how a book on bullying prevention turned out to be a book on leadership, and bullying that happens in the workplace.
CLICK HERE to listen to our conversation
A FEW KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE
Parents have modeled resilience during the pandemic, and by their examples and support, have modeled leadership for their children.
Bullying has 3 aspects:
Intentional
Repeated
Imbalance of power
Bullying happens in the workplace and the ways to deal with it.
SHAMELESS PLUG
Sign up for her newsletter for resources on anti-bullying for both children and adults at TangledBall.com
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
Have you experienced bullying and how did you handle it?
LINKS AND RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
OTHER EPISODES OF INTEREST
SIPS & Leadership (Ep. 6): Katharine Manning of The Empathetic Workplace
SIPS & Leadership (Ep. 13): Brian McComak of Hummingbird Humanity
SIPS & Leadership is a monthly livestream on LinkedIn, highlighting leaders changing the world who are engaged in social impact and public service (SIPS).
Expanding the Definition of Leadership with Jennifer Gresham, Ep. 26
SIPS & Leadership Episode 26 with Jennifer Gresham on Expanding the Definition of Leadership
WATCH THE FULL EPISODE
EPISODE SUMMARY
Jennifer Gresham is the Founder and the Executive Director of the non-profit Work for Humanity, with an inspiring “bigger and bolder is easier” mission to create 10 million jobs in 10 years across the small business sector. Our conversation sparked further discussion on how the pandemic fueled small business growth, forcing many people to pivot their business models and adapt to the changing needs of consumers, leading to the creation of new products, services, and business opportunities.
CLICK HERE to listen to our conversation as we discuss different types of leadership, some learning lessons from her military experience, and the mindset shift that has to happen for both workers and small business employers.
A FEW KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE
Organizations and businesses benefit when there is focus on human performance, team performance and rewards.
Job quality should be the gold standard for attracting talent.
Cultural shifts are easier to navigate at a smaller level versus change being led by bigger conservative boards.
SHAMELESS PLUG
Consider donating to Work For Humanity to support small businesses and the employees they hire
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
What are your thoughts on employees having to meet all the qualifications in a job listing?
LINKS AND RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
OTHER EPISODES OF INTEREST
SIPS & Leadership (Ep. 42) Tami Forman on Caregiving Skills Propelling Leadership and Career Return
Creating Lasting Impact through Purpose Driven Leadership with Gary Bagley, Ep. 25
WATCH THE FULL EPISODE
Gary Bagley is the Executive Director of New York Cares, New York City’s largest organization devoted to driving community impact through volunteer-led programs. Gary defines leadership as a product of all the actions you take.
CLICK HERE to listen to our conversation as we discuss rallying behind a common vision, the importance of being present as well as forward thinking and collaboration.
A FEW KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE
A leader's role is not just to manage people, but also to inspire and excite them about a common mission and values.
Leadership in the nonprofit space is unique, and it involves unifying diverse stakeholders behind a common vision while being grounded in values and the mission
Companies that want to make a difference need to ensure that their vision aligns with what will make a real impact, rather than just what they envision making a difference
SHAMELESS PLUG
Consider donating to New York Cares
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
How have you operated in spite of the pandemic?
LINKS AND RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
OTHER EPISODES OF INTEREST
SIPS & Leadership (Ep.7): Rahsaan Harris on Creating Inclusive Spaces and Empowering Ideas
SIPS & Leadership is a monthly livestream on LinkedIn, highlighting leaders changing the world who are engaged in social impact and public service (SIPS).
Leadership Building Possibilities with Linda Calhoun, Ep. 24
SIPS & Leadership Episode 24 with Linda Calhoun on Leadership Building Possibilities
WATCH THE FULL EPISODE
EPISODE SUMMARY
Linda Calhoun is the founder and CEO of Career Girls, a comprehensive video-based career exploration and readiness tool for girls, with the largest online collection of career guidance videos focusing exclusively on diverse and accomplished women — over half of whom are in STEM fields. Linda shares how leadership is building possibilities for all members of the organization and many stories of women who are inspiring the next generation of women..
CLICK HERE to listen to our conversation as we discuss Linda’s lineage of education of being a first generation college graduate, her exciting work experience in Asia, and how that led to the creation of Career Girls.
A FEW KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE
Closing the imagination gap for young girls is crucial. Encouraging them to explore academic subjects such as math and science and providing them with diverse role models can help to expand their vision of what careers are possible.
Success is not a mystery, but rather a mastery of skills. Developing and refining skills is essential for achieving success in any field.
Diversity is important in all areas of life, including in the workplace. Disrupting stereotypes and demonstrating that talent is equally distributed regardless of background can help to create more opportunities and level the playing field.
SHAMELESS PLUG
Check out Careergirls.org and share it
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
Who is a leader you respect and why?
LINKS AND RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
OTHER EPISODES OF INTEREST
SIPS & Leadership (Ep.14) Carolyn McKecuen and Elisabeth Cappuyns on How to Nurture Young Leaders
SIPS & Leadership is a monthly livestream on LinkedIn, highlighting leaders changing the world who are engaged in social impact and public service (SIPS).