Yummy Blogsby Catherine Jackson who writes the
Earnest Girl Blog
Ok, it wasn’t quite just the two of us. It was the
Women of Influence Luncheon Series and Christine Day was the keynote speaker. In order to get there, I had to manage a morning crise (to quote
Eloise), one of the all-time best heroines, and a girl with serious CEO potential), juggle a doctor’s appointment, do some negotiating at the school and enlist Tolerant Husband in a precision game of Parent Tag. As I sat there in the lovely Sutton Place Hotel’s Versailles Ballroom surrounded by accomplished, interesting, beautifully dressed working women, I felt like an imposter. In addition to extracting myself from the tangle and demands of our daily life, it had taken an extra few precious minutes for me to unearth something presentable for such a luncheon. My days do not generally call for heels. The feeling of being somehow fraudulent grew when Christine opened her remarks with a question: “Do you think you have the best job in the world?” I kind of scootched down in my seat. I have lots of jobs, but
motherhood is mostly what I do. I often feel fractured, flawed, and exhausted, not to mention lacking somewhat in the heels department, but I still know for sure that what I am doing is the most important thing in the world to me and to my family. So I raised my hand.Christine’s next question was: "Would the people you employ also say they have the best job in the world?” My hand stayed down. But my thoughts clicked into place. She was going on to speak about
authentic leadership. Click. About how the two companies for whom she has worked (Starbucks and Lululemon) have taught her that purpose-led organizations equal success. Click. She spoke about what it takes to run a corporation while remaining true to its core values. CLICK! I was sitting up straight now. These are our roles as parents: to be leaders, to be purposeful parents with a strong moral core to which we stay true. And without which our “people” will flounder. My “people” think I am The Meanest Mummy In The World and I feel great about that. We do not help our kids become successful humans if we raise them without core values, just as organizations without leadership and purpose are not viable. Christine went on to elaborate on what she feels leads to holistic success: (At this point she also drew attention to her attire: Not heels. Not a suit, just Lululemon basics. Though she added that she had chosen the pin-striped Lulupants for the occasion. She looked relaxed and confident.)
You have to do it, not just say it. Your business grows when you do. Your most important role is as a coach. You have to take some risks, and be braver than you want to be. It is your ability to get back up that defines you. You must speak the truth. She said she has come to believe her role is to be an ember: to inspire other people to leadership and that to grow a business (or a person!) you have to stay true to your core beliefs. I may have gone in feeling frazzled, but I left inspired.
Independence Day Backyard Bash
