A Week of Inspiration

Some weeks leave a lasting mark—not because of what you accomplish, but because of how deeply you are inspired along the way. Last week was one of those weeks for me. Through the people I met, places I went, and best practices I observed, I felt my perspective shift. The shift didn’t come from a single moment, but a series of inspiring experiences, conversations, observations, and seeing leadership in action. These experiences reinforced the importance of purpose-driven leadership and led me to reflect on how inspiration influences our work and the people we serve.

 

Inspired by Future Leaders

For over three decades, I have volunteered for Zonta International, a professional service organization working to build a better world for women and girls through service and advocacy. Every year our local club conducts a leadership forum for high school senior girls followed by an awards reception recognizing the top twelve outstanding young women in our metropolitan area and providing scholarships to the top four.

 

Last week, we hosted our annual award reception to celebrate these exceptional young women. They represent both large inner-city schools and small rural schools. Many have parents from other countries, making English their second language. Some are athletes, others are musicians, and some excel in both areas. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they all achieve high academic standards, serve as class or student council officers, participate actively in school activities, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Simply put, these girls are truly remarkable.

 

At the reception, each young woman had the chance to talk about a meaningful experience in her life. Following are just a few examples of how these girls contribute to their communities:

• Guiding fourth and fifth graders through important challenges, such as bullying and understanding mental health.
• Establishing a Best Buddies chapter to encourage close friendships between students with and without intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• Launching a therapy dog initiative at her school to support mental wellness.
• Traveling to Tanzania, her parents’ native country, to provide menstrual health education to girls who otherwise lack access.

 

Leadership Learned by Doing Things Differently

I also had the opportunity to listen to an inspiring keynote speaker who was born with a physical disability and spoke about leadership. She was born without bones in her forearms, which affects how she can move her hands and wrists. From a young age, she discovered that by approaching challenges differently, she could overcome limitations. When she started kindergarten, her teacher suggested to her parents that she attend special education classes simply because she couldn't lift her chair onto her desk like the other students. Despite being intellectually advanced, she faced this recommendation due to the physical challenge. That evening, her father brought home a desk and chair, and together they figured out an alternative way for her to place the chair atop the desk. Though her method was different, she achieved the same result as her classmates. This early experience taught her valuable lessons, enabling her to serve communities around the world and become a leader herself. She continues to approach tasks in her own unique way. Her story is a powerful reminder that, especially for leaders working with diverse teams, outcomes are more important than methods.

 

Best Practices that Save Lives

Another valuable experience involved accompanying our TPE Leader2Leader Collaborative cohort on a site visit to Mid America Transplant to observe their best practices firsthand. Mid America Transplant is recognized as the first Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) to receive the Baldrige Award twice. The organization is committed to saving and enhancing lives through organ and tissue donation, serving regions in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas. Notably, they were the first OPO in the United States to establish an in-house operating room dedicated to organ recovery. They also employ innovative strategies to increase donor registry enrollment and to reduce the matching time between donors and recipients. These advancements are critical, as fewer than 3% of individuals pass away under circumstances that permit organ donation. Mid America Transplant’s best practices emphasize how mission-driven processes not only result in operational success but inspire employees.

 

Turning Inspiration into Purpose

Last week, I was motivated by the people I met, the places I visited, and the best practices I observed. This experience showed me how inspiration can provide a strong sense of purpose. I encourage you to consider how you might inspire your workforce, so they feel purposeful and understand their impact within your organization. What is one story or moment you could create this week to help your team recognize the difference they can make?