Spirit
When speaking at Greif, Ernst and Young, Vanderbilt, Johnston Controls, Pritikin, Sunkist, Alloys, and a myriad of Fortune 500 Giants I am always intrigued with the corporate mergers and the play nice scenarios. Companies that merge and have now multiple CEO’s, CFO’s and multiple leaders that must work together to build a company that is a powerhouse and iconic success.
I’ve learned that when doing a deep dive, there are three things you don’t know about me questions, the teams are astonished at the results. Each company hires similar-spirited beings. For instance, you may find your top executives run marathons. ( Set Goals and Achieve Them) or they may skydive or whitewater raft (they take risks) or they are on the boards of Charities and Foundations and (Lead with Heart) They may be on sports teams (Team Building) may be essential or they coach little league or teach in their spare time at a college or school. (Share information and knowledge.) When we operate from the spirit, we often find the similarities that, when woven together, form a bond of phenomenal success.
CEOs have, on average, about 2.1 hours a day for “downtime,” meaning everything from simply relaxing to active hobbies, and even this time is probably highly fragmented during the day. The beauty of a passionate nonwork interest is that, in the words of one CEO, “It will force you to find time for it.”
Wisdom
More than half of leaders acknowledged that their organization's increased investments in sustainability were encouraged by employee activism on the matter"
When speaking at the “Millionaires to Billionaires Club,” the stock market took a dive. The same day Richard Branson was sailing. What were the lessons? Richard was navigating the waves, riding the ups and the downs. Sailing and casting his faith in the winds of change.
His principles that day are the exact tools that garner his success. Wisdom is a powerful tool in business and in life.
Compassion
Two Keynotes that have always stood out in my mind deal with compassion directly. I spoke to the Department of Defense. The energy was so heavy in the room. The stage seemed a million miles away, yet my heart kept taking steps towards the front of the room. You must love and care and have compassion to even want to protect something or someone. A country, a business, a community, a loved one. Where can we see the invisible? Where can we hear what is not heard? How do we protect and defend while protecting the innocents? The human rights of the people and the children, the environment, the pets, the women, the men, and all those who cannot speak for themselves. Compassion is the thread of humanity, the chord to all existence, and strung from its tree is each and every one of our hearts. Together we can change the world.
The other Keynote that riveted the senses and stretched the mind to its furthest range of possibilities was when I spoke in Attica Prison. Attica prison has become famous for its horrifying riot. Movies have been created, and history has been made. The uprising at Attica Prison has the highest number of fatalities in the history of the United States Prison System. Guards, inmates, and correctional officers were killed. This is known as the prisoner’s rights movement. Prisoners that were seeking better living conditions and basic human rights. When we imprison people, we are in prison. Every guard that works in a prison ward is in prison.
In a system that carefully maneuvers between right and wrong society often negates the
importance of compassion, care, and the delicate lifeforce of each, and every, human heart. At
Attica the guard’s compassion towards each other, their compassion towards the inmates and
their compassion towards the staff were all addressed.
Ironically, I received a call from a guard that had guns around his waist and knives wrapped in sheafs around his body. He called to say, “Thank You” To tell me what a difference I made to all the guards and to everyone there. He told me that he wanted to thank me in person, but he was too afraid to say hello, so he called me instead of being vulnerable and standing before me to say; “Thank You!” I made a difference!! So, there it is, compassion indeed does touch each, and every human heart.
77% of consumers are motivated to buy from companies that are committed to making the world a better place.
Care
More than 66% of consumers would pay more to buy from socially and environmentally responsible businesses."
When speaking to the “FBI” on Sex Trafficking, I was addressing over 500 FBI agents. with expertise in the various fields of recovery and rescue. The brilliant minds that find the location of the children that have been captive. The brave men and women that risk their lives to go in and rescue the kids. The safe houses that provide shelter. The doctors, therapists, teachers and guides that help children reintegrate into their lives. The caring individuals that guide the children, protect the children, and support them in every way and in every stage of their future. The level of care, the passing of the baton, the selfless acts, the true heroism that asks for nothing but gives everything in return. The listening ears, the open hearts, the arms that spread wide to embrace a future filled with hope and glorious tomorrows and beautiful todays. Care is fuel for all goodness on the planet, and it is an open portal to move forward, create effective change and to live and to fulfill our dreams and the dreams and the calling of the world.
Love
One of my favorite charities is “One Voice.” The idea started as a college thesis and birthed into a charity that has grown exponentially throughout the years. Every Christmas Individuals, Families, Companies, and Corporations come together to fill bags and wish for thousands and thousands of families that live below the poverty line. Toys, food, clothes, supplies, and so much more are thoughtfully put together in a three-day pre-holiday event. Then the big day arrives, where hundreds of volunteers gift the families an event of a lifetime. The giveaway days are held at the head start schools. My favorite part of the day is how we are coached early in the morning as the sun comes up to not make this a charity giveaway but to make this the best party the families have ever attended. Food, books, face painting, Santa, elves, live reindeer, and resources for each adult and each child are present. Beyond Christmas, One Voice adopts entire families. Families who have nothing, and they give them everything they can. One Voice has also created a college fund for kids that fall below the poverty line, fulfilling their wishes and dreams. Their motto, logo, and slogan are simply based on love.
90% of U.S. workers believe empathetic leadership leads to higher job satisfaction.
Heart
Employees of compassionate leaders are 25% more engaged in their jobs and 20% more committed to the organization.
Nike has been one of my favorite places to speak. Their ability to share their resources across the globe is astounding. Rich full days with kids arriving on bus loads from across the nation. First, they are fed. For many children children,their only meal in quite some time. Then they get clothes and shoes and a day, or a weekend, or a camp filled with sportsmanship. games, fun, support, coaching, and people that believe in them. Their faces and their lives are elevated to new levels thanks to Nike’s Heart. Nike also provides elite experiences for corporations and Fortune 500 companies. Nike orchestrates high-end trips for the executives that
take then directly onto the playing fields to meet their favorite teams or sports heroes. Nike shares the same magical experience—food, Nike clothes and Nike shoes, and these leaders and Successful entrepreneurs and business elites are given the opportunity to make their current and their future wishes and dreams come true!
All the charities I have worked with—over 100 now—all Lead with Heart. When I was KNIGHTED, they called me forward and told me that when we choose someone, we are not choosing them because of the awards they have won or the accolades and achievements they have accrued. WE are choosing someone for what they will do. They said to me, “You are little, but you’re all heart. You’re the one we wanted forever.“ I was chosen for my heart. Every night when I close my eyes, I ask myself, Did I care, did I love, did I answer the calling of my heart and the calling of the heart of humanity?” It is the heart for which we live. When I stand on stage, I ask my heart, What do you want me to say? And so it begins.
