My Life in Leadership

In a clear and compelling voice, Frances Hesselbein delivers key leadership lessons. Tracing her own development as a leader, she narrates the critical moments that shaped her personally and professionally: from her childhood in Pennsylvania, to moving up from Girl Scout troop leader to Girl Scout CEO, to founding and leading the Leader to Leader Institute, to her friendships and experiences with some of the greatest leaders and thinkers of our time. Each chapter includes an inspirational story, a key lesson and how to apply it to daily life.

Foreword by Jim Collins vii Introduction: Being Called Forward 1 Part One Roots 9 1 Stories of Family, Lessons of Love 11 2 Embrace the Defining Moment 27 3 Defining Yourself with the Power of No 39 Part Two My Leadership Journey 47 4 My Management Education 49 5 New York Calls 71 6 Challenging the Gospel 83 7 Becoming a Change Agent 93 8 Finding Out Who You Are 107 9 My Journey with Peter Drucker 115 10 The Indispensable Partnership—Governance and Management, Board and Staff 131 11 Strengthening the Leadership of the Social Sector 141 12 Adventures Around the World 153 Part Three Concerns and Celebrations 167 13 To Serve is to Live 169 14 Seeing and Listening 183 15 Leaders of the Future 193 16 Conclusion: Shine a Light 205 About the Author 219 Index 221