HOW Conversations Video Series
Leadership Means Doing the Hard Work of Building Up Institutions
Eboo Patel knows leadership is hard work, “Anybody who runs a YMCA, anybody who is a principal of a school, anybody who runs an athletic team, you know that what you have to do is show up everyday and move a half inch forward. That is what building a society looks like.” Dr. Patel is the Founder and President of Interfaith America, a unique organization that leverages religious diversity to solve societal challenges. On this episode of HOW Conversations, Dr. Patel spoke with Dana Born, Distinguished Fellow at The HOW Institute, about why diversity is essential to a healthy democracy, how leaders need to build up institutions and why he thinks the United States is more like a pot-luck dinner, not a melting pot, “You want people to bring their best dish inspired by their identity and you want those dishes to mix and combine in interesting, creative and delicious ways, and in a space where people can have enriching conversations.”
Leading With Purpose Makes Magic Happen
Lisa Sherman, President and CEO of The Ad Council, joins HOW Institute Founder and Chairman Dov Seidman on an all-new episode of HOW Conversations. Together they discuss the new challenges that face leaders in a morally activated world and the frameworks leaders need to help them decide when they should lean-in on social issues. “Finding that intersection as a leader these days between your company’s purpose and an individual’s purpose…that’s where the magic can happen.” Watch the full episode now.
Empathy Is Key to Moral Leadership
On this episode of HOW Conversations we welcome Lieutenant General Brian W. Cavanaugh, a Marine Commander. He joined Distinguished HOW Fellow, Dana Born to talk about how Lt. Gen. Cavanaugh draws inspiration from the junior Marines under his command and the importance of leading with empathy, “If you can really walk in other people’s shoes and understand where they are going you can help them get there. And every time you help someone in your unit, your unit gets better. Empathy is key to that, from a moral leadership perspective.” Watch the full episode now.
The Business of Hope
Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, joined Dov Seidman, Founder of The HOW Institute, on a new episode of HOW Conversations to discuss Mr. Walker’s new book, From Generosity to Justice: A New Gospel of Wealth. “I was born into an America that believed in my promise.” Mr. Walker tells Dov, “I had hope, hope is the oxygen of democracy. And philanthropy is, in some ways, the business of hope.” Watch the full episode to learn why Mr. Walker, who is also on the Board of Directors of The HOW Institute, believes philanthropy must harness hope and move beyond charity to address both dignity and justice.
There Is no Such Thing as Leadership Without Moral Leadership
“I don’t think there is such a thing as leadership without ethical or moral leadership,” Deval Patrick tells Dana Born on this episode of HOW Conversations. Mr. Patrick served two terms as the governor of Massachusetts, the first Black person to serve in that role. He is now a professor of practice and the Co-director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School. Watch the discussion with Mr. Patrick and Distinguished HOW Fellow, Dana Born, that touches on leading during crisis, the need for moral leadership in a democracy, and why Mr. Patrick believes that leaders can be kind and generous but still have the tough-mindedness to make hard choices. “It is about struggling with the conflicts that you will always find as a leader, as a human being for that matter, between the thing you think you need to do that’s expeditious or seems convenient at the time, and the right thing over time.”
Leadership Is All About Love
“We need to talk a lot more about love,” Dr. Brenda Cassellius tells HOW Fellow Dana Born on HOW Conversations. “Leaders are constantly giving out love to their teams, to their mission and their purpose. Showing love and doing that unconditionally gives people hope.” Dr. Cassellius has been an educator, administrator and leader and was recently named Executive Director for Fresh Energy. Over her 30-year career she’s learned that moral leaders inspire people by touching their hearts, not just their minds. Watch the full episode and hear more about the connection between love and trust and why Dr. Cassellius leaders need to get “spicy” every day.
How the President of the Naval War College Builds Moral Muscle
Rear Admiral Shoshana Chatfield knows that making a difficult decision is never easy, but when done with thought and care, it is an opportunity to learn and grow, “Being a moral leader is being a leader who is willing to engage ethically in self-reflection and also in a broader conversation about how and why we are doing things.” Rear Admiral Chatfield is the President of the Naval War College, the first woman to hold that position. She spoke with HOW Fellow, Dana Born, on an all-new HOW Conversations. Watch the full episode an learn how Rear Admiral Chatfield uses empathy, listening and values to exercise her moral muscles.
Three Questions Leaders Need to Ask Every Day
“Why? Why not? And where’s the data?” These are the three questions Honorable Gina Ortiz Jones asks every day. “They’re simple questions,” she says, but they show, “the holes, assumptions and…also the data that we’re not collecting.” Honorable Jones is the former Under Secretary of the Air Force. She joined HOW Fellow, Dana Born, for a new episode of HOW Conversations. Watch the full episode to hear how Honorable Jones’ mentors helped her focus on a path that would lead her to become the first openly lesbian undersecretary of any military branch.
A Message for Future Leaders: Always Keep Your Purpose and Values in Sight
Bill George has a challenge for the next generation — lead with authenticity. “We need you as leaders to step up now and hear the call.” Bill is a professor at Harvard Business School, a best-selling author and the former CEO of Medtronic. On this new episode of HOW Conversations Bill spoke with Dov Seidman, Founder and Chairman of The HOW Institute, about why emerging leaders must keep their purpose and values in sight.