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From strength to strength, one generation passes to the next. Everyone is part of that cycle and, as we teach in the Total Leadership approach, each of us has to find our own way. Dante’s Divine Comedy (which I’m now reading and learning about from the mesmerizing Giuseppe Mazzotta’s lectures) teaches much about these essential aspects of our lives, including that you have to descend before you can ascend.
At 71 I’m focused more than ever on doing what I can to try to secure peace, justice, and environmental sustainability for future generations. But there’s also the pressing matter of how my generation (you know, the one that had everything and ruined it) can try to age with grace and wisdom. Here are some of my ideas on growing old and growing up in modern times:
For the cycle to continue, of course, at least some people need to have children. But fewer want to do that now than have wanted to in the past. U.S. social policy and organizational practices don’t make it easy for people to be parents, do they?!? On the 10th anniversary of my book Baby Bust – which tells the disturbing story of how this trend is playing out with two generations of Wharton students – Wharton School Press just re-released it, with a new preface that’s intended to provoke. Here’s a Bloomberg story and a Knowledge at Wharton video interview about what we can do about this complex issue as a society, in our organizations, with our families, and by ourselves.
Take the Four Circles Challenge
No matter what your age, it’s always a good time to ask: Are the four domains of my life – work, home, community, and self (mind, body, spirit) – aligned? This question is not so much about time and space (where and when you do things) as it is about values (the interests and goals you pursue in the different parts of your life). I invite you to (re-)visit this free site, where you can systematically address this question and generate practical ideas for increasing both harmony among the domains and your impact in each one.
Our How Do You Define "Wellbeing?"
For a research project I’m working on, please email me with your response to these questions:
- How do you define “wellbeing?”
- In what year were you born?
I’ll report back soon on what I discover.
Where in the World is Total Leadership?
Alumni and current students in the Total Leadership class I teach with Michelle Rajotte in Wharton’s Executive MBA program gathered last month in Philadelphia and in San Francisco to build connections, share wisdom, and provide inspiration for how to lead a life of significance. Also at Penn, Total Leadership is again part of the Securities Industry Institute and of Penn Faculty Pathways, an initiative I co-founded 10+ years ago to support young faculty in STEM.
Bonds among people committed to pursuing intentional, sustainable change through Total Leadership are flourishing internationally too. Some examples:
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Our Spanish team (led by Carlos Casanueva and Gonzalo Landaluce) recently brought Total Leadership to multinational companies in the consumer goods and auto industries. And they continue training 100+ students per year at ESCP business school in Madrid.
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Italia! To celebrate the translation of Total Leadership into Italian, at the invitation of Laura Baruffaldi (who leads our Italy operation) I spoke to an alumni group at SDA Bocconi in Milan after a workshop at Angelini Pharma’s world headquarters in Rome.
- Arca Continental’s executives in Mexico hosted a Total Leadership event last quarter and we are launching a four-month workshop series for them this summer.
Our client services operations in Spain, Italy, and France (led by Wafaa Amal and Manu da Silva) are growing, with Spanish, Italian, and French translations of Total Leadership all now available. The French edition is just out (Amazon, Fnac, Eyrolles) and we’re happy to send you a free copy. Ask for one! And get in touch if you know of anyone in these countries who might benefit from learning more about us.
People in health care know all about the experimental mindset and are committed to applying science for the good of humankind. They’re well aligned with our mission and method so it’s no wonder we have great partnerships with three health systems in the U.S. It’s gratifying to see people enhance their wellbeing and become more productive as a result of our work together in all kinds of for-profit organizations. And in the last few months I have done pro bono projects with Eagles Care (the NFL team’s community arm), SUNY New Paltz, Guild, and Williams College.
Where Online?
Total Leadership teaches a proven set of concepts and tools designed to boost performance in all parts of life by finding greater harmony among them. In addition to our real-time workshops, keynotes, and consultations, you can learn how to use this approach through programs available asynchronously on a variety of online platforms.
Our team is eager to hear what people are doing to liberate the power of the human spirit for good at work, at home, in the community, and for the private self. Fill us in on what you’re up to and let us know what we can do to help you progress on your journey.
Peace and love from Philadelphia, Stew
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Stew Friedman
Wharton Faculty Profile
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