Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1358542
Business Leader of the Year (Nonprofit) Worcester Together fund The United Way of Central Massachusetts and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation (Tim Garvin and Carolyn Stempler) TIM: Walk - when I was in the Peace Corps I heard that the best way to learn about a community was to walk the streets every day, to ride the local buses, to shop in the local market. Walk. Listen - I am one of those people who learns best by listening to the stories of others. I love meeting someone new and asking questions. Questions such as: "Tell me your life's story - How did you get here?", "What did you study in school – did it prepare you for what you are now doing?", and "What are you doing to make a difference in your community? What can we do together?". Desire - When applying to college, when applying for a job, when trying out for a team, when asking for a capital investment … want it. Don't hold back. Show your desire! Dig in - fully immerse yourself in what you are doing. Do not be a bystander. Do not "lean in", rather - Dig in. Step on the gas - I used to love watching the Patriots when Tom Brady was our quarterback. I loved their "uptick offense'; after a touchdown, they would work to do it again as quickly as possible. They stepped on the gas, they wished to stay on offense. They wished to score, and then score again. Smile - I am partial to that Crosby, Stills, and Nash song "Wooden Ships". I love the lyric, "if you smile at me I will understand, 'cause that is something everybody everywhere does in the same language". Now, in the midst of this COVID year, we need to smile more at each other and to each other. Write - I urge all of you, all of us, to keep a personal community engagement journal. Every donation, every volunteer activity, every advocacy effort - record it, write it down. Then answer the questions: "What did I do?, Why did I do this activity? What did I learn? And what did this accomplish?". In early January of each year, read your journal, feel great about what you accomplished, and then commit to doing more in the new year. Inspire - In all of your actions, in every relationship, in all of your friendships, think about how you could be an inspiration to others. And how others inspire you. Inspire. Kindness - Let kindness be your greatest muscle. Repeat - These nine thoughts, they are my aspiration. I have yet to achieve them. So I keep trying. CAROLYN: Don't Skip Leg Day: This is not in reference to my fitness schedule (although I try not to skip the actual leg day). I am referring to not avoiding the hard projects or tasks in life. I find it is easier if you accomplish them first. I always try to break them down and create smaller tasks, so they do not seem so insurmountable – then I start knocking them off one at a time - until it is done! Communicate with others the way they like to be communicated with: No, it is not grammatically correct but it is my way of adjusting my communication style to that of the person I am communicated with - in order to be effective. Always speak your truth: Be authentic and always bring your full self to the conversation. Never miss the opportunity to be your original self – that is where you will find the most power. Early in my career, I would have never spoken my truth for fear of being judged, or for fear of creating conflict but over the years, I now have power in my beliefs, my thoughts and my voice which allows me to speak my truth every single day. Make today count: Years ago, I read the book "Make Today Count" by John C. Maxwell. I had my own business by then and was no longer reading the typical books to help you navigate through corporate America, but stumbled across this book on a Kindle suggestion. The book has helped to me to become incredibly optimistic, which in turn has allowed me to have a positive impact on others. Create balance in your life: I have learned to be intentional about both my physical and mental well-being. I know that my "balanced" well-being is dependent on many factors that I have absolute control over- how much I exercise, what I choose to eat, and most importantly how much sleep I get every day. All three are important for me to tackle the everyday stressors that I cannot control. Be an Ethical Leader: I have always felt that being ethical was a key characteristic of a leader - being ethical is critical to one's ability to inspire, to guide and to nurture others to be their best self. Be Graceful: Rudyard Kipling said, "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs …". "Keeping your head" i.e., grace under fire, is a powerful mantra to live by. The last year has tested all of us. Keeping my poise and maintaining my grace has helped me feel at ease and stay grounded. Having that approach helps those around you to feel more at ease. It allows you to go through your day calm and with purposeful intention. Living the Ubuntu principle: Ubuntu is the ancient African word meaning "Humanity to others." It is a principle that I first heard during a speech made by Nelson Mandela. I strive to live this principle everyday by realizing we are all bound together and that I can only achieve by caring for those around me. Impact of one vs the impact of many: Many times in my life I become overwhelmed and perplexed, wondering what my purpose on this earth is? And what role am I supposed to play? How can I help? I always come back to what my father once told me, that if I can have a positive impact on the life of just one person then, I would make him proud. Dad, I hope I have made you proud many times over. Use your voice and your influence to make a difference: I will always give back to my community in whatever way I can to create equality. I am always striving to understand and learn from those whose lives are directly affected by the inequities I see every day and do something about it – always striving to "do better."