An End-Of-Year Message From Our CEO
This fall, I became a student again for the first time in over 20 years. Everything I’ve learned about leadership I’ve learned on the job – through trial and error, mentorship and coaching, and short learning programs. To do the best job I can at the McConnell Foundation, I realized I needed to expand my toolbox, sharpen my financial analysis, and learn from people outside the nonprofit and philanthropic bubble I’ve been in for my entire career.
In our last session before the holidays, our professor asked us to reflect on What makes a great leader. I wrote down attributes like vision, strategy, courage and compassion. When we shared in small groups, a classmate offered this: “One of the most powerful sentences a person can say is I’ve changed my mind”. He defined leadership as the ability to adapt and stay open – to shift perspective when faced with new information.
I love that. And in our era of algorithms and echo chambers, it feels more important than ever. So this holiday season, my personal challenge is to seek out new information and a perspective I haven’t fully considered, and change my mind. Winter arrived early this year, but beautifully. The days are short and lend themselves to hunkering down. I love the idea of my life getting smaller in this season, as my mind expands through reading and conversation.
I’m looking forward to sledding, hot chocolate, spending time with my kiddo, and opening my mind. If this challenge speaks to you, I hope you’ll join me.
Wherever this message finds you, I wish you a peaceful and restorative break,
Warmly,
Jane Rabinowicz, President and CEO