When I was working on the cover for my new book, “GUTSY: How Women Leaders Make Change”, I spent time with the designer looking at all the overt and subtle meanings of the word "GUTSY". Karrie, www.karrieross.com, asked me what the smallest visual I could think of to demonstrate what "GUTSY" means. I sat with closed eyes and saw a hand with elegant long fingers and well … [Read more...]
GUTSY GALS and GLUTEN-FREE LIVING
We are now onto our second year of GUTSY WOMEN WEEKENDS (next one June 22-24, 2012) and we are making modifications due to a GUTSY woman in her 60’s, a social worker, mother, grandmother, and a woman who is thumbing her nose at MS and winning in her own way. Her name is Vikki and she drove up to The Country Place in North East Pa., got out of her van equipped for someone who … [Read more...]
GUTSY WOMEN and MEMORIES
Tonight we start a new GUTSY WOMEN WEEKEND. We are doing them every other month and they are making a difference for women who are in leadership positions or are emerging leaders. So, what does that have to do with memories? Nothing….. and everything. You see most programs want to stay with present situations and move forward. We believe that we need to clear the past … [Read more...]
Leadership Development: Throw the Ball and Catch It Too
Tom Brady’s wife, Gisele, will go down in history with a quote that goes well beyond football. Walking down the corridor to the safety of an elevator, she was taunted by fans about how the Super Bowl game ended and out came the now famous words about not being able to throw a ball and catch it at the same time. Maybe it was the shame of losing (someone had to), maybe it … [Read more...]
GUTSY GALS are Electricians
Sue was not feeling GUTSY; she was still in pain as she talked about an ugly spill that ended with a badly injured ankle. Several doctors told her she would have to be CAREFUL, very, very careful for, well…forever. Diana, sitting across the circle from Sue is a nurse. How could it be that she had the same ankle injury with that big, long medical name, a year ago? And she was … [Read more...]
GUTSY GAL Takes over “The Avenue”
Growing up in South Philadelphia was akin to living in Italy without the gelato. At least that was what it was like for Lynn Rinaldi decades ago. Everyone became like family; fathers and brothers protected mothers and sisters. Lynn, the only girl among her four siblings even has a twin brother. And watch out for her they did. So, what’s a girl to do? She had to find ways to … [Read more...]
Pink or Blue: Who ARE You?
From the day you were born, actually even before conception, there are beliefs and stereotypes that are attached to gender. Pink is for girls and blue is for boys, right? The color thing is really fascinating. Here is some of the research from my book “GUTSY: How Women Leaders Make Change”. In the 1800’s babies were all gender neutral, wearing white “dresses” in infancy. … [Read more...]
That Grand Lady at the Harbor
Ladies, let’s continue to celebrate our freedom by underlining the importance of The Statue of Liberty and the role of women in our society. In her poem about the statue, Emma Lazarus called it “The New Colossus”. The beginning of the poem refers to the Colossus of Rhodes which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was a statue of the Greek God Helios, who, in … [Read more...]
Superwoman and Strong Shoulders
I know rebels when I meet them. This is a vital pattern in “Don’t Bring It to Work”. They love to ask “Why not” rather than just “Why”. Even better are those who can flip rebel to its positive opposite behavior, that of being a community builder. Meet Carla Calizaire, Regional Business Director at Novo Nordisk. Carla has an aura, a presence that immediately makes people … [Read more...]
Leadership Lessons: When Truth is Discounted
In my new book in process, “GUTSY: How Women Leaders Make Change” I had to stop writing and take the temperature of my own “GUTSINESS”. Here is the story: I have always been a rebel, rebel who wants to see positive change and is willing to stand and be counted. I have done this in many instances when the risk has been to my career, reputation, and even the financial bottom … [Read more...]