Your Life is Your Message: Discovering the Core of Transformational Leadership

This book is a call to adventure, an opportunity to live life to the fullest and a guide to discovering your own path towards transformational leadership.When Mahatma Gandhi was asked by a reporter to sum up his life’s work, he responded simply, ‘My life is my message’. This book invites you on a journey to illuminate your life’s message to empower and align it with the legacy you want to leave behind.This journey will mentor you through the experiences of the CEOs of Starbucks and Southwest Airlines who developed their leadership messages early in life, and community catalysts in Kenya and India whose sense of purpose propelled them to enhance the lives of those in poverty. Based on over 100 interviews with leaders from around the world who found their way to mission-driven lives, you are led on a path to determine your life′s meaning along with the influence you hope to achieve. Beyond insights from the inspirational figures, this book provides a model and practical tools to prompt introspection and greater clarity about your desired life trajectory. While intended for emerging and accomplished leaders of businesses, organizations and communities, it rings true for anyone who is interested in finding the authentic and impactful leader within. Enter with curiosity and be inspired by the extraordinary stories of others. It’s a journey not to be taken lightly, but rather one that demands your full attention. You, and those you seek to influence, deserve no less.

Nancy Stanford Blair, PhD, knew she wanted to make a positive difference in people’s lives from a very early age. Once she discovered teaching as the route to touching the future, she never turned back. With a career that spans four decades creating learning opportunities at the primary, secondary, college and professional levels, Nancy has always promoted the singular and collective influence of people to transform themselves and the circumstances around them. Specifically, Nancy has created multiple local, state, national and international programs that have successfully developed inspirational, transformational leaders. She is currently Professor Emerita of Doctoral Leadership Studies at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a consultant in leadership formation and sustainability, and a proud grandmother of seven future leaders. She has co-authored four books: Connecting Leadership to the Brain, Leading with the Brain in Mind, Mindful Leadership and Leading Coherently: Reflections from Leaders around the World (SAGE). She has earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and her PhD from the University of Illinois. Nancy brings her message to life through creating the unbridled capacity in others to masterfully and fully serve their corner of the world.

Mark L. Gesner, PhD, was exposed to transformational leadership early in life at large family gatherings in Brooklyn, New York, where his grandmother and great aunts inspired a sense of strength and belonging among all who entered. He sought to emulate their positive influence with his colleagues and students, and learned how to be especially impactful by traveling the world where he gained a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives and finding wisdom in unexpected places. These underpinnings informed Mark’s career of creating innovative programs, supporting entrepreneurs, growing organizations and businesses, building partnerships and developing mission-driven leaders. He has designed programs and led courses about innovation, organizational development, cross-cultural management, leadership and community engagement. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Hub for Innovation and Community Engaged Learning at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Prior to working as a faculty member and administrator in higher education, About the Authors 165 Mark was a leader for Hostelling International USA, an organization promoting cross-cultural understanding through affordable travel. He holds an undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Albany, and graduate degrees from Harvard University and Cardinal Stritch University. Mark brings his message to life by being an engaged local and global citizen who supports others in realizing their individual and collective aspirations and to discover home wherever they roam.