I love Girl Scout Cookies! All these years of purchasing and consuming them I was unaware of the late Francis Hesselbein. Francis was CEO of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. from 1976–1990. During her lifetime she received much recognition for her leadership chops. She was the Chairman of The Frances Hesselbein Leadership Forum at the University of Pittsburgh and the co-Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning quarterly journal, Leader to Leader. She was awarded the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Bill Clinton. She was a wonderful leader who poured into future generations.
In an interview of Francis, by Kathy Caprino posted on forbes.com, we glean insights to her leadership philosophy. Here are a few gems.
You need to define leadership for yourself. You can quote leadership definitions from highly credible leaders. But to own leadership you need to create your own definition. Your personal definition is what drives you. It defines your leadership mission. It must come from within. Her definition? “Leadership is a matter of how to be, not how to do.” What is your definition of leadership?
She gave the following advice to young leaders:
Listen: Listen to others, but also listen to the voice within. Young leaders tend to push down this inner voice. “When we try to push that voice down, we waste time and effort not doing what we were called to do: lead.”
Courage: This is courage to place the mission first.
Horizontal leadership: This is about a span of leadership. It is widening your leadership influence. “Horizontal leadership is more than banning the hierarchal structure. It is about leading beyond the walls and leading together to address critical needs and issues in the community.”
How are you influencing young leaders?
The worst mistake a leader can make is abandoning the mission. Resist allowing good opportunities to derail you from the mission. “You must always stay true to the mission. The mission is your reason for being.”
What tends to infringe on your mission?
Identify the defining moments that have influenced you. Francis’ defining moment was when her maternal grandmother taught her about respect for all people. This stayed with her her entire life.
What was a defining moment for you?
Francis was a leader in her day. Her investment in emerging leaders expands her influence today.