Comments on: Driving a Truck

By: Launa

Launa — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:40:05 +0000

Lindsey, we all try to be the perfect combination; compassionate leader, attentive follower. We try never to forget our keys in the car, or to take a wrong turn. But life just isn’t like that, I guess.

And I have to say, as an outsider looking in at your HBS story — it’s the rare woman leader who can get something done effectively AND retain the admiration of the (older) men in any group. Chalk that one up to experience, and next time, don’t hesitate to step up. Do you think he never got chopped down when he stepped up?

I’m sure you did a good job, and I’m equally sure that he did a crummy job more than once in his leadership career. The difference between him/them and you/us? We learned sometime early on to care just a little too much what other people think.

By: Ronna Detrick

Ronna Detrick — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:36:04 +0000

I wonder sometimes if we need to reframe our language; re-understand our metaphors and our deeply-held beliefs. Dancing with a truck might be a whimsical, not-to-be-missed, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Taking control might be a brave and amazing thing that no one else has the courage to do. Constructive criticism might be more about the insecurity and passive/aggressiveness of the one speaking. “Rigid and in need of control” might be strength, tenacity, and courage. And maybe, just maybe, the very things you most loathe in yourself are the most beautiful and amazing parts of you…just needing new understanding, new words, new vehicles. Maybe a truck?

And I could be totally wrong.

What I do know is that you ask tender, provocative, and profound questions of yourself and therefore each of us. That is a beautiful thing. This is leadership, Lindsey.

By: Nicki

Nicki — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:02:13 +0000

Lindsey, you seem to look at yourself so well. I find it hard to put out there, for others who may see or “judge,” what I feel many times. I am going to try to be more open in these areas both as I write and in real life.

By: Ambrosia

Ambrosia — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:44:22 +0000

Oh, I read this so many times so I could form the perfect response. However, the words that I want to say, will not come.

Your bravery, your honesty, your introspection are skillfully included in this eloquent post. I am amazed by your insight.

By: Aidan Donnelley Rowley @ Ivy League Insecurities

Aidan Donnelley Rowley @ Ivy League Insecurities — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:20:12 +0000

There is an immense promise in mere awareness, in seeing the knot in the first place.

By: Privilege of Parenting

Privilege of Parenting — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:58:36 +0000

Back when I was a filmmaker I once had a woman executive at a rather low-rent studio tell me that she wouldn’t even consider me for a directing job because I wasn’t tall enough. She said she needed a big guy with a beard to yell at the crew and get things done on time. I guess I could have gotten some lifts for my shoes and tried to grow a beard, but I tend to think this said more about the executive than about me.

Likewise about a small man who took his own pain and handed it to you. I suppose we all benefit from being aware of our own “issues,” whether they are about fears of being out of control or about hurt.

I appreciate your bravery in authentic sharing—to me this allows more real connectedness and, hopefully, lets us put down our masks and find that we are good enough as we actually are.

Namaste

By: TheKitchenWitch

TheKitchenWitch — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:37:09 +0000

Well, I don’t blame you on the group project thing. Unless someone takes charge, everyone flails about aimlessly and shuns any kind of responsibility (can you tell that I HATE group projects?)

I tend to be the Alpha Dog in those kind of situations because group projects/staff meetings are a huge time-suck…if someone doesn’t take the reins, those things will last forever and produce zippo.

Which is kind of funny, because normally I sit back and shut my mouth. So I guess we are opposites, but equally strange.