Interview with Marilyn Carlson Nelson, with Deb Cundy in attendance
Via Phone, September 9, 2008
WIB: Marilyn, thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts with my own readers. After reading your book I am even more impressed by your compassion, humanity, and integrity than I am by your stellar business talents.
You wrote How We Lead Matters so your grandchildren might know you better. Is it your hope that seeing the positive impact they have had on your life that your grandchildren will more fully appreciate the impact that they too, can have on the lives of others?
MCN: Of course, certainly. It is about more than having stood and fought for trying to be more inclusive and create an appreciation for others by being an advocate for groups that need to be brought into the system. They [my grandchildren] have their own challenges but I want to inspire them to want to contribute.
Marilyn continued by sharing personal insights about her love of poetry and family and the importance of connecting with them.
I love poetry. My great grandmother, Emily Pillsbury, left poetry books that made their way to me through my grandmother and my mother. She loved to read books. I cannot tell which ones were her favorites because she was from a time when you would not write in a book. I am longing to know which were her favorites because this knowledge gives access to someone elses’ pain. I will note in books my favorites for my own children and grandchildren.
Developing Better Employee Relationships Through Leadership and Diversification
Marilyn then offered this Carlson strategy for relationship-building and a unique way to value qualities over differences:
Validation for women is important but so is validation for male leaders to make it acceptable to integrate their lives more. We all need to focus and compartmentalize in times of crisis but in terms of relating to employees, base emotional intelligence is very important and the key to great leadership.
Emotional intelligence is gained through understanding ourselves. When talking about leaders, they need to be authentic and consistent in treating all levels [of people] equally. True leaders have that sense of commonality; they make that kind of connection that relates to others. Sharing builds trust.
