Every once in awhile, there comes a story that reminds me that I must learn new skills

despite loss and also discover better responses to the vagaries of a world that often seems
upside down.

Max came to my brother and his family five years ago from the Yankee Golden Retriever
Rescue League. Max was recuperating from a major ACL surgery on his left rear leg
when they adopted him and he spent the first months with them learning to walk again.

A year ago last month, this lovable Golden was diagnosed with an osteo-sarcoma in his
left front leg, forcing amputation. The surgery and chemo bought him another year
during which time, John and his family watched him joyfully and bravely learn to be as
fast on three legs as he ever was on four. In fact, on one memorable walk up the seminary
hill he even ran down his first squirrel. The squirrel lived to have bragging rights, but
Max was awfully proud of himself. He also had the pleasure of this past winters snow in
which he delighted to roll - part husky at heart .

Two weeks ago, they found that the cancer had

reappeared as a rapidly growing tumor in his left rear leg and so he ended his time with
his family as he began it, but in reverse, learning to manage increasing disability. Finally
this morning it became painfully clear that all his body systems were collapsing his
hind quarters had ceased to function at all and he had become incontinent . When he
passed up a hot dog with the pain medication they knew it was time. My brother John,
Tim and Sasha, with some effort got him into the car and took him to Angel Memorial.
For the second time in seven year the medical staff graciously and skillfully helped them
say goodbye to a beloved pet who was a three legged family member. It was tearful but
peaceful and they were able to be with him as he slipped away as Sasha affirmed in
that moment, to another plane of existence but the friendship remains.

It will feel very strange without Maxs presence especially now because in the last two
years of his life he would sleep every night up their bed and on his last night he was
joined by both cats. It is almost as if they all knew this was a final gathering.
Johns final observations are those that I really wanted to share with you my readers.
From Max, we might all learn some of the lessons that dogs are brought into our lives to
teach: wag more, bark less, be willing to forgive and to console, be joyfully grateful for
the moment, and be enthusiastic for each new day. And even if you dont catch the
squirrel, it was the effort that mattered.

Posted in Plain Leadership, Plain View | Tagged inspiration, leadership lessons, life
balance

Meaningful Talk Makes People Happier

Written by Eileen on March 25th, 2010 Leave a Comment

The March issue of Psychological Science reported a study that found the happiest
participants had twice as many substantive conversations and one-third as much small
talk as the unhappiest.

Scientists at the University of Tucson and Washington University discovered that

meaningful and deep conversations are a critical differentiator between happy and
unhappy people.

Yahoo heres validation for what I have always believed and spoken about in my book:
Talk Aint Cheap. Its Priceless. Its the same premise that underlies the Conversation
Fire Starter Guides that can be downloaded to support Gifts from the Mountain.

So, forget the Tweets and the Pings. Try eyeballing at best or phoning at least a colleague
or friend and see how much happier you can feel if you actually engage in meaningful
conversations.

Posted in Plain Talk | Tagged business management, communication, leadership

Remembrances can give you goosebumps

Written by Eileen on March 13th, 2010 2 Comments
 Just back from Washington DC and the awarding of
the Congressional Gold Medal. The actual ceremony will be broadcast tonight on CSPAN
and has been picked up by all major television and print media.

But what you wont see is the Remembrance Ceremony held the day before to honor the
38 women who died in the course of duty as WASP-Women Air Force Service Pilots.
Because they were not official military, there were no benefits, no gold stars, no flags
draped over a coffin, and in at least one case, their fellow WASP passed a hat to send the
body home.

On Tues, March 9, 2010, hundreds of us stood at the base of the Air Force Memorial.
From its hilltop vantage, we looked over the Pentagon and out in the distance to
Arlington Cemetery and the Washington Monument. The WASP who could attend were
in wheel chairs and walkerseach with their personal military escort. The sky was radiant
blue and the stainless steel spires of this Air Force Monument sculpture evoked a clear
vision of jet streams hanging in the sky.

In quiet, the flags of every branch of the service and our nations flag were solemnly
carried in. A clear voice began singing the Star Spangled Banner and before the second
stanza, across the sky came four Air Force jets, peeling off in the missing man
formation.

I sobbed.

As each womans name was read, a military official placed a rose next to a wreath. Taps
were sounded and in that momentsome 65 years later closure came to these aviators
who raced across the sky in service of their country.
Amen.

Posted in Plain Talk | Tagged Congressional Gold Medal, leadership, WASP, women,
WWII

NPR TO FEATURE Womens Air Force Service Pilots

WWII (WASP) on MORNING EDITION, March 9,
2010
Written by Eileen on March 8th, 2010 Leave a Comment

Last July, as daughter of a WASP. I began working with Carpien, producer of Morning
Edition on National Public Radio, on a collaboration for a unique project to honor the
WASP. As a result, several requests were put out from July through last October on the
Yahoo email groups and by word-of-mouth, inviting family members to be a part of this
tribute to the WASP. The criteria were simple: An personal remembrance essay of up to
one-page about their WASP, accompanied by a then and now photograph. The
essays would be posted on an NPR web page devoted to the WASP, in conjunction with
the Congressional Gold Medal events. Twenty-one family members of WASP provided
essays about their WASP.

Cindy Carpian, producer for Morning edition has announced that the radio story reported
by Susan Stamberg (40 year veteran of National Public Radio and one of our most
respected journalists) will air the day before the ceremony on March 9 during Morning
Edition hosted by Renee Montagne and Steve Inskeep. The story is about 9 minutes,
which is the longest amount allowed on the program. The story includes recollections of
two WASP, Margaret Phelan Taylor and Lillian Lorraine Yonally, historian Katherine
Landdeck of TWU, Pam Pohly, niece of WASP Mabel Rawlinson, the voice of Hap
Arnold, and singing WASP from the Lost Last Class, courtesy of TWU archives.

The morning the story airs on NPR, there will be a large web build out on the NPR
website that will include text of the radio story with photos, a special section of Lillian
Yonallys color photos, a timeline with photos prepared by Kate Landdeck, AND of
course, your essays and photos (plus links to sites such as Wings Across America and
TWU). There shouldnt be any problem finding the essays on the page once you find the
WASP story. Youll also be able to hear the audio of the radio story there. So if youre
traveling and miss it, it will ALWAYS be on the web. NPR conducted extensive
research, in an effort to be as accurate as possible. Enhanced by the very personal essays
written by many family members, it is certain to be a great contribution to the WASP
legacy and an inspiration for generations to come.

A video about the Biggs Fly Girls who were WASPs is at

http://www.kfoxtv.com/video/21589255/index.html

Posted in Plain Talk | Tagged NPR, WASP

Its Never to Late to Learn, Leaders!

Written by Eileen on March 7th, 2010 Leave a Comment

Ok,I admit it. I never learned to type. I stayed away from it like the plagueafraid that it
would typecast me into a role from which I might never emerge.

Pretty stupid on my part. Today, you cant live in Internet space without typing. My three-
finger method has gotten me bymostly with the help of spell checkers. But it takes me
longer than most.

My nine year-old grandson, Keaton, watched this process in obvious dismay. Finally, in
exasperation he said, Tutu Mama (my name), you can go online and learn!

He sat on my lap and went to www.dancemat typing.com Oh my gosh I have a Scottish

speaking goat telling me where to put my fingers. I miss many letter in the easiest
practice.

Bless his heart. Keaton never once laughs or snickers. He then shows me about another
sight called powertyping for the time when I have done everything with the old goat and
can move to whatever.

Dont tell anyone. I think I will be sneaking in late at night to work with the Dance Mat
goat.Prnting goats instead of sheep!

Posted in Plain Talk | Tagged leadership, learning, personal developing

Women Air Force Service Pilots WWII Finally Get Into

History!
Written by Eileen on March 5th, 2010 1 Comment
 Nearly 70 years have passed since America fought in World War II. In those
critical days over a thousand courageous women pilots took to the skies in military
aircraft for the United States Army Air Forces to relieve desperately needed male pilots
for combat duty. From their training base in Sweetwater, TX, the Women Air Force
Service Pilots (WASP) transported planes, served as test pilots, and towed targets for
gunnery practice with live ammunition. They flew over 60 million miles of domestic
wartime duty.

These women pilots paid their own way to enter training, took up a collection to help pay
for the expenses of burial when one of their peers was killed, and, when they were
disbanded in 1944, they had to pay their own way back home. But the worst insult came
when women were not allowed back in the cockpits of military planes again until the late
1970s. It appeared their wonderful experiment in contribution and aviation had been a
failure.

The WASP was never militarized, and those who served as a WASP were considered civil
service employees. There was considerable opposition to the WASP program in the press
and in Congress. General Henry Hap Arnold, US Army Air Force commander, first
supported the program, then disbanded it. The WASP was deactivated December 20,
1944, having flown about 60 million miles in operations. Thirty-eight WASP were killed,
including some during training.

Records of WASP were classified and sealed, so historians minimized or ignored the
women pilots. In 1977, the same year the Air Force graduated its first post-WASP women
pilots, Congress granted veteran status to those who had served as a WASP, and in 1979
issued official honorable discharges.
WASP Mary R. Burchard

On March 9, 2010, in the rotunda of the Capitol in Washington DC, these amazing
women will receive the Congressional Gold Medal. Of the original 1,076 women who
earned their silver wings, less than one-third are alive. My mother Mary R. Burchard, age
94, is one of them. Sadly, she is too fragile to fly from California to our nations capital
but my sister and brother and I will represent her. A nation has finally learned to say
thank you.

There are many lessons in the story of these great pilots.

Number one: You must follow your heart no matter what. Every one of these women had
a sense of adventure, a passion for flying, and a love of country.

Number two: Never take no for an answer. Jacqueline Cochrane, founder of the WASP,
met roadblock after roadblock until she found a sponsor in General Hap Arnold.

Number three: It always makes a difference, even if you dont see it for years.
Mary R. Burchard

Today, women pilots in both the military and civilian lines of work sit at the feet of these
women who flew in World War II and say thank you. In fact, it is the work of the first
female Thunderbird, LT.Col Nicole Malachowski, USAF who helped move the proposal
through Congress so that the WASP can now be given their due reward. When I think of
women like astronaut Dr. Sally Ride, Colonel Eileen Collins USAF, first woman
commander of the space, and jet pilot Major Nicole Malachowski, it is clear that the
WASP of WWII did have a lasting impact and now certainly cam be written into history.

Posted in Plain Talk | Tagged Airforce Service Pilots, Congressional Gold Medal, WASP,
WWII

To Friend each other is more than a Facebook link

Written by Eileen on March 2nd, 2010 Leave a Comment

Ed Oakley, a wonderful colleague and author of Enlightened Leadership, received my

notice about celebrating National Womens History Month. He didnt hesitate. He wrote
me back about how meaningful this would be to so many people. He sent it to his clients
AND he posted a video on his web sit at www.enleadership.com/blog.

Now that is what I call REAL friending. Its more than facebook. It is taking a stand to
say that ones work is valuable. Its helping grow each others reach.

Who will you friend today?

Posted in Plain Talk

National Womens History Month-Celebrate Women as
Leaders
Written by Eileen on March 1st, 2010 Leave a Comment

While its true that March is National Red Cross Month, National Irish-Heritage Month,
National Nutrition Month, National Noodle Month and yes ,even National Frozen Food
Monththats not what we have in mind.

March is National Womens History Month, celebrating its 30th year with the theme
writing women back into history. Think about it: we all probably have good
knowledge about the Red Cross, Noodles, and folks of Irish heritagebut Ill bet youd
have to really think to come up with 10 women in history who were not queens, prime
ministers, or move stars.

As the National Womens History Project says on its web site: Each time a girl opens a
book and reads a womanless history, she learns she is worth less Myra Pollack
Sadker

Weve created a web site/blog www.Lead-HER-Ship.com for the purpose of

celebrating the past, charting the present and exploring the future for women
leaders. Every day during March, this site will feature a different woman of history.
Keep in mind our definition of history: a story of the past that helps us understand the
presentincluding our most personal and intimate present. We cant ignore the influence
of our biological sisters as well as our soul sisters, the lessons of our mothers and
grandmothers, the impact of known and little known women.

See this month as a celebration. We encourage you to send us tributes to the women from
your history. Send us stories about women who didnt make it in the history books but
should have. We can print them all here. Send us pictures. Heck- send us money and
dark chocolate. (Just kidding about the money. But we do encourage you to make a
donation to the National Womens History Project )

Together, lets find the role models that can inspire us to link arms and create great
work and a world that works for all.

PS: Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross. Celtic women offer amazing music
for Irish and non-Irish alike; The American Dietetic Association can help plan a healthy
meal and we have nothing to say about noodles or frozen food except that they too are
healthy!

Posted in Plain Leadership | Tagged inspiration, leaders, women in leadership, women in

the workplace

You Cant Lead What You Cant Assemble

Written by Eileen on February 22nd, 2010 Leave a Comment

Most of the time, Seth Godin is a pretty smart guy at pointing out fallacies in thinking
and performance. He gave away books to show the power of viral marketing and purple
cows. He taught us that small is now big. He proclaimed why marketers are liars.

But I struggle with his latest blog that seems to imply big meetings and events are bogus.

He said events are a huge waste of time, talent and treasure. I agree IFand this is a big
IF:

If the meeting does not bring people together in meaningful ways for actually
conversations
If it is nothing but grandstanding for a CEO with bells and whistles
If it will not generate buzz, enthusiasm, and understanding for a new product

Then by all means forget it.

However, human beings want to gather. There is nothing like the immediacy of looking
into someones eyes, of experiencing a powerful message together, of shaking hands, of
batting around ideas in the give and take that is so much more real than stilted chat
rooms.

Ive seen major breakthroughs when a huge room of people realize they have similar
issues when a powerful speaker engages audiences minds and sends them way
thinking in new ways and when a group of sales folks create their own American Idol
competition to compose a song for a new product advertisement. Laughter, interaction,
and real time conversation cement loyalty and commitment.

Just cant see that happening with frequent,cheap communication.

Its why I wrote the book, Talk Aint Cheap-Its Priceless.

Your thoughts?

PS: For more comment on this Godin blog- read the always-succinct comments of my
colleague, Scott McKain

Posted in Plain Leadership | Tagged communication, conventions, events, leadership,

meetings

Beyond Four WallsOuter Living for Inner Life

Written by Eileen on February 20th, 2010 Leave a Comment
In our frantic, 24/7 world we often become consumed with our work. We border our lives
by the four walls of an office, a home, and even that metallic case we call a car. Ugh
commuting!

To refresh our souls, our inner spirits need air and color and peace. I look to the
outdoors. Just the trickle of water in a fountain as I sit in my cushioned chair brings a
sense of calm. Theres my Kwan Yin statue which looks down at the pansies and the
petunias. Her very aura reminds me to breathe.

And what about you? Is there room for a gazebo that can let your family picnic outside?
Or perhaps a garden swing that just melts away the tension of too much too fast? Can
you open the door of your living room, your art studio, your home office and invite in the
smells of rich soil, sweet alyssum, and spicy marigolds? It beats a spray can of air
freshener any day.

Or perhaps, you might consider gifting someone with an outdoor item to support their
inner life. My precious friend is battling MS. Her great joy is the garden her children
planted. From her picture window, she sees color and green designed to bloom in every
season. She tells me that the wind chimes I sent hang in an arbor and just bring music to
her soul. So little I can do for her. But what a lot it means.

Its time. Move beyond four walls. Youll be glad you did.

Posted in Plain Talk | Tagged outdoors, renewal, spring

Older Entries