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Letters to a Young Manager


For five minutes longer, #430
LTYM >

Please note that this letter is in-process; the following are my notes

Dear Adam,
***
May need to break this into two stroues (see Story #450)
Also told during interview with Margareta Barchan:
Courage is embracing fear for five minutes longer. Patton, Emerson
"A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Courage is fear holding on a minute longer."  ~George Smith Patton, US General, WWII

Fear lasting five minutes longer.  That's affirming and encouraging: it affirms that I'm afraid, and it is possible to hold our a bit longer, which is liberating.

Perhaps the story of my sticking it out with Doug and Anitta? Give it time

Relate the story about Margareta Barchan's leadership book project interview. See the Q&A and follow-up thread below.

-----Original Message-----
From: Edward Happ [mailto:ehapp@nethope.org]
Sent: Sunday, December 4, 2016 2:23 PM
To: Margareta Barchan <mb@dialogsforchange.com>
Subject: Radical Hope: Philosopher Jonathan Lear on the Paradoxical Seedbed of Courage and Cultural Resilience – Brain Pickings


Margareta,

When I read this article on courage I thought of your questions. I like the opening quote from David Whyte. I think he gets right the "heartfelt participation" in all its directions Enjoy,

Ed

https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/11/28/radical-hope-jonathan-lear/?utm_source=Brain+Pickings&utm_campaign=38e6313dc4-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_12_03&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_179ffa2629-38e6313dc4-237808465&mc_cid=38e6313dc4&mc_eid=08dc9b7432

On 22 Nov 2016, at 15:38, Edward Happ <ehapp@nethope.org> wrote:

Margareta,

Belated thanks for your interview on the 15th. Here are some additional notes to help fill in the gaps on the recording. I took the liberty of taking the questions from your Blog interview with LanVy Nguyen, http://www.braveleadersproject.com/blog/futureofvietnameseretail. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have follow-up questions. Best regards.

Ed

1) Can you tell me about your professional background and how that evolved into [your organization?]
Charles Handy's observation that in the post-modern era we can expect to have 5 careers, has been a guiding light. I worked on Wall Street for a dozen years, in management consulting for ten, and in humanitarian organizations for sixteen. For my next career, to give back to the next generation of technology leaders, I will teach at a university. Then I will live near a vineyard and write (See my Story #191). The story I’d like to tell is about NetHope. NetHope was built as a volunteer, extra hours role, while I was in the nonprofit space.

2) Are you a courageous leader?
First I want to consider the word "courage". As Emerson once said, "A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer" and General Patton said that "Courage is fear holding on a minute longer. " So if courage is fear holding on a bit longer. " then it possible for anyone. That's affirming and encouraging: it affirms being afraid, and it is possible to hold out a bit longer, which is liberating. So perhaps persistence is a root of courage, and I'm a persistent person.

3) Have you ever have thought of what you are doing as a brave or courageous initiative?
No. Outside the norm, outside the box, yes. If pushing against these limits is brave, so be it. I don't feel brave. I am energized by the opportunity to create something new and meaningful. I see it as more a creative urge than courage.

4) What was the turning point for you?
My first year at Save the Children, realizing that our peer group was trying to solve the same problem: bringing tech out the last mile. (Story #52)

5) Can you give an example of a decision you made that was met with resistance?
With NetHope, I encountered some resistance from the fund-raising teams, but that was soon replaced by the door-opener story that NetHope was. Fund-raisers became supporters.

6) Can you give an example of a personal challenge you have been facing?
You asked to talk about a tie to childhood. For me, being an over-achieving, first-born, wanting my father's approval, was a life-long motivator.

7) Do you have doubts about what you are doing?
No doubts, but the very real fear and uncertainty of having the financial means to persevere. Income makes you brave; but so does having nothing (with nothing to lose!). SO I am practicing holding out a but longer :-).

8) What is your vision for [your project] in the future? Will it survive still even after you stop leading it?
The sustainability of NetHope is in its next generation. Handing off to a new chairman, board and CEO in 2014 was an important milestone. Jim Collins wrote about the Built to Last organization; becoming clock builders rather than time tellers. I'm proud that we've done that in NetHope.

Some organizations give you the freedom, and some the support, to be creative and innovate; some suck the life out of the organization. For the latter you need to de-hire yourself. I've done that a few times in my career, most recently at the Red Cross.

When teams gel, leadership is about removing obstacles and running interference, letting the team that is on a roll, roll.

9) Do you have advice for future leaders to become Brave Leaders?
Don't accept a no, or a second no. Persist and persevere with your goal. Each generation is different. Like each having its defining technology, from TV and cars to smartphones and Internet. But persistence and perseverance are the same; it's a relentless focus.

***
Sincerely yours,
Ed
________________________

References...

Takeaways:

Courage embraces fear for a bit longer

Discussion Questions:


For Further Reading:





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