12/30/09

Situation in Iran - A Message From Sting


Amnesty International Bulletin Posted by Amnesty International USA

I was shocked to hear reports that Iranian security forces arrested 29 mothers and their supporters who were silently mourning children killed in post-election violence this summer.
These Mourning Mothers gather peacefully each week to call for an end to widespread human rights abuses and justice for their dead children.
The disturbing news of their arrest brought to mind profound memories of the Mothers of the Disappeared in Chile and Argentina. Like the courageous mothers in Iran, the Mothers of the Disappeared faced threats and harassment for seeking justice for their children kidnapped during the Dirty Wars in Chile and Argentina.


My song "They Dance Alone" is dedicated to the Mothers of the Disappeared. I had the honor of performing it with them in 1988 during Amnesty International's Human Rights Now! Tour.
Dancing on stage with the Mothers of the Disappeared in Chile and Argentina was one of the most moving moments of my career.
I am heartbroken to see that once again others have to face the anguish that the Mothers of the Disappeared endured. I am compelled to speak out again. I hope you will too:
http://bit.ly/7tgwQt

What gives me hope is knowing that Amnesty International is fighting on behalf of the Mourning Mothers and others threatened with abuse in Iran and around the world.
As you read this, Amnesty International is investigating and reporting on the human rights situation in Iran. It's publishing the names of prisoners of conscience and documenting the use of brutal force to crush dissent -- even as it continues to respond to human rights emergencies across the globe.

The people of Iran deserve to speak peacefully without fear. Show them they are not alone. Donate to Amnesty International today. Click here: http://bit.ly/7tgwQt

Sincerely,

Sting

11/27/09

A Site with a Cause

Almost 4 years ago, my 36-year old sister, Barbara, discovered to have ovarian cancer. Her life and the lives of those close to her changed forever. Since th

at day in July 2006, we have traveled along a route of sudden turns, real hopes, false hopes, illusions, disillusions, laughs, cries and a lot of learning. The purpose of my

new blog – or site – is the one of becoming a meeting point for people going through the same tough journey. A place where we can share information, links and stories about people like my sister and their families.

The symbol of New Life is a “stem”. Stems hold flowers together and bring nutrients and new cells to them. All the experts seem to agree that stem cell research is the future in the fight against

cancer. Hope that, one day, a “new life” will start, is what keeps warriors like Barbara fighting.

Visit New Life

11/2/09

No Separation

"…Oh God, what if we harm these whales? What if we did that, oh God, what if we arm this coast? What if we did that? Then directly in front of me, about a hundred yards out, a lone whale gave me for spouts. Silence. A minute afterwards, off to my left, a whale rolled over in the ocean four times. And then there was nothing. I knelt there for the longest time. I felt as if I was bleeding from an open wound. I felt my heart was completely open and had merged with those of the whales. There was no separation between us. I remained in that open state of intense compassion for a long time, feeling as if I were in a great cathedral. I knew that I would never be the same again." -Presence, P. Senge, O. Sharmer, J. Jaworski, B. Flowers

10/29/09

L'Infinito

I made a collage of quotes, excerpts from poems, videos and songs, from Bible to Buddhism, from Romanticism to Pop. At the end there is one common denominator...

There are things that we only get close to if we pause, feel what is around, look
within ourselves.








"Always dear to me was this lonely hill


And this hedge, which from me so great a part
Of the farthest horizon excludes the gaze
But as I sit and watch
I invent in my mind
Endless spaces beyond
and superhuman
Silences
and profoundest quiet
Wherefore my heart
Almost loses itself in fear
And as I hear the wind
Rustle through these plants
I compare
That infinite silence to this voice
And I recall to mind eternity
And the dead seasons, and the one present
And alive, and the sound of it
So in this
Immensity my thinking drowns
And to shipwreck is sweet for me in this sea"
- L'Infinito
Giacomo Leopardi (1798-1837)

Actor Dustin Hoffman's interpretation of Leopardi's "L'Infinito"









"Ego could be defined as whatever covers up basic goodness [...] Egolessness is a state of mind that has complete confidence in the sacredness of the world. It is unconditional well being, unconditional joy that includes all the different qualities of our experience." Pema Chodron (Buddhist Nun)




"I am the light that shines over all things
I am everywhere
From me all came forth, and to me all return
Split a piece of wood, and I am there
Lift a stone, and you will find me there..."
Jesus - Gospel of Thomas v. 77

"...You created the world
to serve humanity's needs
and to lead them to You.
By our own fault
we have lost the beautiful relationship
which we once had with all your creation.
Help us to see
that by restoring our relationship with You
we will also restore it with all Your creation." - Prayer of St. Francis






-
"Oh God, what if we harm these whales? What if we did that, oh God, what if we arm this coast? What if we did that? Then directly in front of me, about a hundred yards out, a lone whale gave me for spouts. Silence. A minute afterwards, off to my left, a whale rolled over in the ocean four times. And then there was nothing. I knelt there for the longest time. I felt as if I was bleeding from an open wound. I felt my heart was completely open and had merged with those of the whales. There was no separation between us. I remained in that open state of intense compassion for a long time, feeling as if I were in a great cathedral. I knew that I would never be the same again. "
- Presence
P. Senge, O. Sharmer, J. Jaworski, B. Flowers

"The Indian prefers the soft sound of the wind darting over the face of the pond, the smell of the wind itself cleansed by a midday rain, or scented with pinon pine. The air is precious to the red man, for all things are the same breath - the animals, the trees, the man."
Chief Seattle

"At the moment of surrender
I folded to my knees
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me
[...]
I was speeding on the subway
Through the stations of the cross
Every eye looking every other way
Counting down 'til the pain would stop
At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me" - Moment of Surrender
Song by U2 (2009)



10/27/09

Cancer Won't Wait

By Lance Armstrong, Special to CNN
(CNN) --
On October 2, 1996, I was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer. Like many 25-year-olds, I was fearless, ready to conquer the world and without health insurance.
I was lucky. One of my sponsors, Oakley, stood up for me and threatened to take all their business elsewhere if their insurance carrier refused to cover me. Without their help, I might not be alive today. Or I might be completely broke, still trying to dig my way out of a massive pile of medical bills. That kind of luck shouldn't have anything to do with whether the 1.5 million people in the United States who will be diagnosed with cancer this year go broke trying to get the treatment they need to survive.
Go to full article

10/25/09

Leadership - The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation and The Gentlemen's Fund

Caring, constructive guidance should not be a privilege limited to those of stable communities or of financial means.

Together, The Gentlemen's Fund ® initiative and Mark Wahlberg are supporting the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, which-by offering leadership now-provides kids with the skills to become leaders in the future.

Through financial and community support, the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation aims to eliminate barriers that prevent youth from succeeding.

This collaboration is not a quick fix; it gets to the root by helping young people find their way.
The Gentlemen’s Fund® initiative raises support and awareness for issues that are essential to modern men. Established in 2007 to commemorate GQ's 50th anniversary, The Gentlemen's Fund encourages men to become agents of change by contributing to charities that champion these causes.

Visit the Gentlemen's Fund

Visit the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation

10/23/09

The Battle Within Us

TWO WOLVES - One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all..." - Read More

Source:
www.legacydad.com

A similar theory is offered by Tom Rath and Donald with the acclaimed publication: "How Full Is Your Bucket?"

The Last Lecture

On Sept. 18, 2007, only a month after doctors told him that he had three-to-six months to live following a recurrence of pancreatic cancer, Randy Pausch, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, presented a lecture called "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" to a packed auditorium at Carnegie Mellon.

He shared his insights on finding the good in other people, working hard to overcome obstacles and living generously. "If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself," Pausch said. "The dreams will come to you."


The video appeared on countless websites and has been viewed by millions. Appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC's Good Morning America and the CBS Evening News followed.


A book version, "The Last Lecture" co-written by Jeff Zaslow of the Wall Street Journal (and a fellow Carnegie Mellon alumnus), became a best-seller.


Randy Pausch died at 47 on July 25th, 2008, he has inspired countless students in the classroom and others worldwide.


Randy Pausch's Home Page
The Last Lecture and other resources
Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

10/16/09

When Capitalism Works

"TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about." - TOMS


Success Magazine article on TOMS Shoes
Blake Mycoskie's Blog

10/9/09

The Right to Love

- Ever since “And Tango Makes Three,” a children’s book detailing the story of two male penguins and the baby chick they hatched, has been published, in 2005, more people have requested the book’s removal each year from schools and libraries than any other book in the United States, according to the American Library Association [..] Now the authors of the book, Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, have their own baby Tango. In February, the gay couple, who live in the West Village, had their first child. - Read full article: "A Baby for the Gay Authors Behind the Daddy Penguins" By Jennifer 8. Lee

- But if homosexuality occurs among animals, does that necessarily mean that it is natural for humans, too? And that raises a familiar question: if homosexuality is not a choice, but a result of natural forces that cannot be controlled, can it be immoral? - Read full article: "
Love That Dare Not Squeak Its Name" By Dinitia Smith

- Rob Calhoun and his partner, Clay Calhoun, of Avondale Estates, Georgia, have two adopted children -- 4-year-old daughter Rainey and son, Jimmy, who is 18 months old. The children share the same biological mother.

"We're not moms, we're not heterosexual. We're not biological parents," Rob Calhoun said. But "we're totally equal and just as loving as female parents, as straight parents, and biological parents."

"Love makes a family, not biology or gender," he added. - Read full article:"Gay Adoption: A new take on the American family" By Taylor Gandossy

10/8/09

Another Day in Paradise

“She calls out to the man on the street
"Sir, can you help me?
It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me?"
He walks on, doesn't look back
He pretends he can't hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there
Oh think twice, it's another day for
You and me in paradise
Oh think twice, it's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise...” - Another Day in Paradise (Lyrics by Phil Collins)

“When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed.”

“Love begins at home , and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the action that we do.” - Mother Teresa of Calcutta


Turn around , someone may need your help. Not all of us are saints or a missionaries, ready to fly to Chad, but pay attention and you'll see someone who is down, a friend, a co-worker, a sibling. Be there for them. According to the Talmud to save one person is to save the World. A young person may need a mentor, a child may need a parent, a sick person may need comfort. Don't look the other way!

A man who turned around...

Last summer, my family and I were desperately searching for a cure for my sister Barbara. Many doors were shut on us, because of insurance reasons. My sister needed to prove that she was able to cover treatment costs, before being considered as a research patient.

Finally, Dr. Penson opened a door to hope. I spoke -- and cried my heart out -- to him on the phone. Two days later Barbara was on a flight to Boston, ready to start a treatment recommended by Dr. Penson.

The first time we met Dr. Penson was during a visit on August 2008. I was struck right away by his humanity and people-skills. He asked Barbara about her hobbies and what she enjoyed doing in life. It was only later in the discussion that he started talking about her disease and possible medical treatments. He wanted to meet Barbara as a person, first, then as a patient. We met him as a man, first, then as a doctor.

I am thankful to Dr. Penson for turning around and paying attention to someone I deeply love.

9/24/09

Heidi's Story


Heidi is a cancer survivor. She describes on the Livestrong blog how she won the battle with the disease and how this fight has changed her life. Read Heidi's story on Livestrong


Patrick’s beautiful life came to an end, but his courage and story will continue to live on in our memories.

7/24/09

Emotional Capital


How important are characteristics such as self-realization, assertiveness and people-skills in management and leadership? How important is for a manager or anyone in a leadership position to show reliance, confidence, empathy and let transpire a sense of optimism to people? As a Project Manager, I believe it is fundamental in my professional area. A highly qualified subject matter expert: Dr. Martyn Newman, wrote a terrific book on this topic: Emotional Capitalists: The New Leaders, Wiley, 2008. The book is quickly becoming a best seller.

Read:

Great post on emotional capital from the "Leading Answers" Blog

Martyn Newman’s “Emotional Capitalists: The New Leaders”:

Assess your Emotional Intelligence – free test

7/14/09

A World Without Poverty


Muhammad Yunus runs Bangladesh's Grameen Bank, a leading advocate for the world's poor that has lent more than $5.1 billion to 5.3 million people. The bank is built on Yunus' conviction that poor people can be both reliable borrowers and avid entrepreneurs.
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thenewheroes/meet/yunus.html


Partnership with Danone


The mission of Grameen Danone Foods speaks for itself: to reduce poverty by bringing health through food to children using a unique community-based business model. http://muhammadyunus.org/content/view/146/128/lang,ja

A joint venture launched by DANONE and Grameen (the “Bank of the poor”) in March 2006, Grameen Danone Foods is a business—and as such must turn a profit—but its priorities are reversed.

Junus Interviewed in Chile


6/30/09

A Wonderful Life - Michael J. Fox


By: Lisa Ocker - Success Magazine, July 2009 Issue

Michael J. Fox seems at peace, even grateful for lessons learned from Parkinson's disease. He's inspiring millions with a new book and a hit TV special. But his journey has not been easy.

Read full article (Success Magazine)

6/12/09

Virgin Entrepreneur - Richard Branson

By: Mary Vinnedge – Success Magazine, June 2009 Issue

The 20-something Richard Branson racked up a résumé that would impress no one: high-school dropout with poor reading and math skills. Failed get-rich-quick schemes. Long-haired, barefooted hippie. Struggling business that led to two arrests and a night in jail on suspicion of tax evasion. But as he turns 59 in July, Branson’s life seems as golden as his locks. Worth about $4.4 billion, he ranked as the 236th richest person in 2008, according to Forbes.
Read full article (Success Magazine)

6/4/09

Weathering the Storm


By: Bruce Grieson - Psychology Today magazine, May/June 2009 Issue

Apple founder Steve Jobs describes three apparent setbacks—dropping out of college, being fired from the company he founded, and being diagnosed with cancer—that ultimately proved portals to a better life. Each forced him to step back and gain perspective, to see the long view of his life.

"I have failed over and over and over again, and that is why I succeed," said Michael Jordan. Failure destroys some people. Others rise from the ashes, only to come back stronger.

Failure destroys some people. Others rise from the ashes, only to come back stronger. This article by Bruce Grieson is a guide to surviving tough times.

5/13/09

Race of a Lifetime - Lance Armstrong Leader of the Pack

By: Don Yaeger - Success Magazine, May 2009 Issue
Lance Armstrong was directionless, without passion. He called it a classic case of “Now what?” He had a job and a life, but then he got sick with cancer in 1996 and everything turned upside-down. When Armstrong beat cancer a year later and tried to return to his life as a successful professional cyclist, he was confused and disoriented. Nothing was the same and he couldn’t handle it.

5/1/09

Union of Souls


We live in times where even sacred things have become shallow, practical and done for an interest. Society tends to become more and more cynical about things. Pre-nuptials are a popular thing these days. Couples do background investigations on each other before making any commitments. More and more of my friends are either separated, divorced or in artificial marriages. And it’s all norm it’s OK, we got used to it. Just part of reality.

Sometimes, when I am with my sister Barbara and her husband Davide I pause and think about their marriage. They deeply and genuinely love each other. When they are not together I can see from their faces that their minds are on each other. Their souls are truly united. They are “ONE”.

My sister was diagnosed with stage IV cancer 3 years ago. Since that terrible day, Davide has been on her side. He has not missed a single day of chemo with her or a doctor’s visit. When cancer patients are under heavy chemo treatment their auto-immune system is very weak, and a simple cold could kill them. Davide drove Barbara to work and picked her up every day, in order to minimize the risk of her catching germs on public transportation.

Davide was put to the test at some point. I can’t expand too much on this, but he had to choose between his wife wellbeing, at one end, and putting at risk things that were dear and important to him, at the other. He chose Barbara without any hesitation.

His mission is to keep her happy and excited every day until this terrible ordeal is over. Quite often he turns into a comedian to keep my sister’s beautiful laugh alive. They live like a normal couple, and sometimes they fight over normal things. But nothing ever stains the strength and purity of their marriage.

I recently wrote a poem called “The Dove”. In “The Dove” a man sees a dove flying behind a glass. He breaks the glass to reach her, without fearing pain and consequences. The dove flies over his hands and lays there. His blood is over her and the white, the purity, of her feathers and soul, penetrate his soul.

Barbara and Davide are a true inspiration to me and they make me still believe in a thing of the past called “Love”.

The Dove: http://sites.google.com/site/risersserengeti/dove

4/17/09

Robert Redford. A man of courage and vision

Sundance Festival started 25 years ago. Actor, Director and Activist Robert Redford used to beg people outside the one movie theatre to go in and watch movies.
Thanks to his leadership and vision today Sundance is one of the major movie festivals in the World and attracts 50,000 visitors a year and runs over 200 movies.

Robert Redford’s interview with Wall Street Journal:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123266544269807877.html

4/12/09

Graceland

April 6, 2009, for Christians around the World kicked off the week of Easter. On Monday, April 6th in L’Aquila, Italy, earth shook with a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter Scale. The merciless earthquake took the lives of almost 300 people, destroyed the 800-year-old Capital of Abruzzo (my Region) and left 70,000 people homeless.

One of my high-school friends, Marina wrote a sad, hopeless note on her Facebook page: “Una Pasqua senza resurrezioni” meaning: “An Easter without resurrections”. I don’t consider myself a practicing Catholic, but I feel inspired by some of the messages that transpire from the New Testament. Resurrection is one of the things that move me the most. According to most dictionaries the meaning of “resurrection” is the state of one who has returned to life.

My friend Andres’ cousin: Juan Vanegas is a Catholic Priest in L’Aquila. His church and residence were destroyed. Father Juan had the option to leave after the disaster and go somewhere safe, to an easier life, perhaps rejoin his family abroad. He decided to remain with his new family and fight a long and demanding battle. He is guiding his people like a good shepard, leading them to a new life out of rubbles, pain and chaos. People like Juan help me believe in resurrection.

There is a popular song by Paul Simon called “Graceland”. In the song Paul and his 9-year old son are traveling to Graceland. Of course the place Mr. Simon is referring to it is not Elvis’ tacky house in Memphis. He is referring to an imaginary place, a place of hope, redemption and resurrection. A place that means the start of a new life. He wrote the song during a divorce from his longtime wife. The song says: "There is a girl in New York City who calls herself the human trampoline and sometimes when I'm falling, flying or tumbling in turmoil I say oh so this is what she means she means we're bouncing into Graceland".

People have choices after disasters strike their lives. They can pull themselves out of the rubbles, let their wounds and pains heel and head to their "Gracelands" or do nothing and let death win. I believe anyone can make a resurrection. I know someone who went through a rough time in his life. Disasters seemed to happen all at once around him. One of his close family members was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, his 18-year old marriage came to an end, and he was on the brink of losing his job. These events can put anyone on his/her knees. This person decided to stand strong and make a trip to his "Graceland". He is still fighting some of these battles but something good came from his ordeals. There is an old say: “What doesn’t break you will make you stronger”. Today this person feels much stronger and a better person that he was 2 years ago. He found his resurrection.

Like the great Italian Dramaturg Eduardo de Filippo used to say: "Tests never end in life", and personal "earthquakes" will keep testing us. We win only if we decide to pull ourselves out of the heavy rubbles, stand on our feet and rebuild our lives. It is never easy.

I believe in the ability of people to rebound because of the strength they have in their hearts and the deep desire to choose life versus death. I will tell my friend Marina that resurrections can happen. Like in the song: "Maybe I've got a reason to believe we all will be received in Graceland". A

A
Stefano Paolinelli
A

Father Juan Vanegas with a rescue team in L’Aquila


4/11/09

High Altitude Leadership

I strongly endorse one of my recent readings: "High Altitude Leadership" by Chris Warner and Don Schmincke. This book is one of the best I ever came across on leadership and team management. The authors go over lessons learned and best practices on driving teams during extreme situations and high crises. Fear and failure can stop us from making the right decisions. During climbing the wrong decision can be deadly, in business can be costly. Their teachings can be applied to any situation where the "right stuff" needs to be put on the table.
Please check their Web site: http://highaltitudeleadership.com

4/10/09

Ken Blanchard on how to establish your leadership point of view

The Leadership Hub, a very resourceful online community, hosts short videos from leadership guru Ken Blanchard.

http://www.theleadershiphub.com/videos/ken-blanchard-how-establish-your-leadership-point-view

4/9/09

A Second Life

Matt Long had life by the horns—until the day he got crushed by a 20–ton bus. Though the firefighter and Ironman suffered horrific injuries, he somehow survived. Then he had to learn to live again.
Story By Charles Butler - Runner's World Magazine
© 2009 Rodale Inc.

Read Article:

4/1/09

Moment of Surrender

I am getting too “new-agey” these days. Maybe spring is getting to me. No sure what’s going on but I like it. Anyway, I have been listening to U2’s melodies and I discovered an underling theme in their songs that reminded me of Buddhist teachings of union with the world and surrendering to the “whole”.
U2 with the help of master musician Brian Eno composed a song that blows my socks off every time I listen to it: “Moment of Surrender” from their latest album “No Line on the Horizon”. “I was speeding on the subway through the stations of the cross… At the moment of surrender a vision of visibility…”
U2’s producers said that this is one of their most intense songs.
American scientist and business author Pete Senge’s interpretations of Jesus analogy: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” is that the only way to feel connected is by empting our mental load from worries and our attachment to material stuff, so that we can pass through the needle and feel the whole. It may be too hard to do for a bunch of neurotics beeping on minivan horns, rushing for a metro, fighting with teenage kids and losing sleep over a Powerpoint presentation.
The only way to “feel” the One, God, Manitou, or something as simple as love for the world (or whatever that good feeling that has gotten over me is) is by empting ourselves. Put everything behind and just surrender to the best part of you.
Give it a try and let yourself go.

3/31/09

Inspirers

In one of my previous blogs I discussed about the power of those who fight day-in and day-out tough and cruel diseases like cancer - http://stefano-vincere1.blogspot.com/2009/01/beating-beasts.html
We can have nothing but admiration for people such as Patrick Swayze who still works and performs at his best despite painful treatments and Lance Armstrong who after beating testicular cancer that spread to his brain went on to win 7 Tour de France races.
My sister Barbara has been fighting cancer for almost 3 years now. During this time she had the strenght and motivation to help many people understand how it feels to live with cancer. She wrote a beautiful book currently used by medical schools in Italy to sensitize aspiring doctors. She has also composed a beautiful song available at emusic (soon on iTunes) in MP3 format: http://www.emusic.com/album/Barbara-Paolinelli-Chi-Vincer%C3%A0-MP3-Download/11411413.html
All I need to express is that Barbara has been a true inspiration to me. I feel lucky to be his brother.

3/30/09

Raising Funds for a Good Cause

Friends,
I am coordinating a fundraiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Funds will help me run a half-marathon in September for the Livestrong Team. The money raised by the team will go toward cancer research and other initiatives supported by the foundation. Please kindly donate by accessing the following site: http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2009/stefanovabeach09 .
Thank you!

3/29/09

The Power of Visualization - Focus on what you want

Improving your attitude, according to Keith Harrell will help you achieve your greatest potential. Focus on what you want and you'll get it. The first time I heard about the Laws of Attraction I thought of one person: Nelson Mandela. 20 years ago South Africa was a hopeless nation in the hands of a ruthless and inhuman dictatorship. I wrote an article on Nelson Mandela back then, when I was in my beautiful 17, for a local newspaper in Italy. I wondered how a man could live for over 20 years in a narrow prison cell without hope of ever getting out. I finally got the answer from Keith Harrell. Nelson Mandela has written that visualization helped him keep his sanity and health in place while being imprisoned for over 27 years. Every day spent in prison, Nelson Mandela kept thinking about walking out of that cell and what he would do once free. That thought kept him alive and at some point became reality. Power of visualization is one of Keith Harrell 10 attitude strategies and I highly recommend reading his writings - http://www.mei-inter.com/2009/03/10-strategies-to-improve-your-attitude.html

3/25/09

Timeless Heroes

Not enough words to describe what men like Paul Rusesabagina http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5324187 and Oskar Schindler http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/focus/schindler/ have done for humanity.

They have taken critical situations in their own hands and managed to rescue thousands of lives.
Different times and areas of the world but similar acts of true leadership and heroism.


3/24/09

Forever Fighters

The best “champions” in my opinion are the people who battle day after day illnesses like cancer. It is amazing what these life warriors put up with everyday.

There are many champions out there, in the business world, sports, social services, who can call their fights off, whenever they need to or want to. They have a choice they can afford to quit, to retire or semi-retire. People with a disease have no choice they must fight their beast day after day, with all strength they got in their bodies.
These people fight to live a normal life, go out with friends, see movies, and celebrate holidays and birthdays with relatives. But no matter where they are or they go, right next to them is always an invisible beast, an unnecessary presence, a constant evil. A sword always hangs above their heads. They are aware of it but they can still smile, joke, laugh and live like everything is OK.
These are people that during these unbelievable fights build strength, stamina, resilience, courage. They will become forever fighters and will be able to do things that others can’t do.
That it is why no one if the World of sports was EVER able to do what Lance Armstrong did. Winning 7 straight Tour de France??? I bet anything that no one ever will bit that record. One of the biggest accomplishments these fighters make is the one of changing and motivating others. God gives Forever Fighters the miraculous Midas touch that turns things they come in contact with into gold. It’s amazing to see how many people around them grow spiritually and turn into better human beings. The best skill champs and leaders have is to become good models and make others better. No matter if they lose or win their “ultimate” battle at the end they are still big winners.

They deserve their space in heaven - and in our hearts - with full medals and honors.
They and their life partners that accompany them through these painful paths are my champions and heroes.

Stefano Paolinelli

2/7/09

Who and Where? Need for New Leaders and Directions

These are tough times, the toughest since the great depression, according to many experts. Often you need to hit the bottom before great things start to happen. Michael Jordan used to say that you can be great only after failing and learning from those failures.

I have seen political changes and demands for government transparency, at a national and local level, as never before. It also seems unprecedented the way people are questioning boards and executives of major corporations. These organizations must change and adapt to the needs of the new market to survive crises like these. Answering to the demands of Wall Street alone, may not be enough to survive, anymore.
The question now is what next? How do we get out of this mess? Who is going to lead us to a better place?

We need a new class of leaders, in the private and public sectors. We need honest and reputable leaders that can help us get out of the deep holes we are in. Peter Senge, American scientist and director of the Center for Organizational Learning at the MIT Sloan School of Management, believes that the era of individualism and self-interest needs to come to an end and that the future is in a holistic vision where organizations grow and collaborate and we all see ourselves as part of a whole. Bangladeshi Economist and Nobel prize Muhammad Yunus, believes that we can have strong economies and win the war on poverty at the same time. Is this too utopist? Dr.Yunus with his book “Banker to the Poor” explains how he has done it.

Many third-world countries are at a crossroad: they could head toward democracy or back to chaos, poverty and civil wars. They need our help, our leadership and encouragement to move toward an era of growth and stability.I see opportunities as never before around the World. Africa is headed toward an unprecedented stability, China established itself as a new economic power, Brazil is showing that a Country can grow its economy even without ignoring its poor, hospitals and medical researchers from around the world are sharing information, programs and protocols via online conferences and International seminars. We live in a planet that is more global than ever. Ignorance, prejudice, diseases, and bad governments tend to spread and become everyone's problems. AIDS, terrorism, religious bigotries have shown us how everyone can be impacted.

We need leaders who believe in creativity, honesty and who empower the creative souls and change-enablers inside their organizations. Our government and private corporations need to reinvent themselves to be competitive and admired once again. Steve Jobs (with the Apple iPod/iPhone), Google and Pixar showed us that America can still create products that everybody from India to Canada, knows and wants. The opportunity of a next "Renaissance" is within reach.

With this blog-azine I want to capture the essence of great leadership, great people and great organizations that can take us “there” and win the upcoming battles against our past, our failures, interests and roadblocks that want to block us from moving forward. Winning is not necessarily about taking down our competitors. Winning is about meeting our goals, proving ourselves, getting better.

I would like YOU to be part of the “Risers” community and provide your advice, comments on what is needed to mold and grow a new era of mature organizations and better leaders.
Stefano Paolinelli

2/5/09

6 Lessons on Leadership from Captain Bligh


While out and out mutiny may be rare on project teams, lackluster performance and disconnects between the project manager and the team happen more often than they need to.
Observing some of the actions and attitudes of the cold, hard Captain William Bligh can provide you with a measure to use against your own behavior as a project manager.

For those who are not familiar, Mutiny on the Bounty tells the fascinating true story of First Officer Fletcher Christian’s mutiny of 1787.   While the book is excellent, the quotes in this post are taken from the 1962 film version starring Marlon Brando as Christian and Trevor Howard as Bligh.

Here are Bligh’s 6 guidelines for leadership.
How many of these describe your attitudes or the attitudes of other project managers you know?

1.  Fear is the Best Motivator

Bligh sees laziness and weakness in both officers and crew members. Early in the film he incorrectly accuses his first officer of interfering with the progress of their mission.  When Fletcher questions him on this, the Captain responds, “You would do nothing to speed its progress.”  As for his crew, “The typical seaman is a half witted, wife beating perpetual drunkard.”

The Bligh style leader believes that a team is only ever truly motivated by fear.  “Cruelty with a purpose is not cruelty, it’s efficiency”.

2.  Policies and Procedures Must Be Followed To The Letter

Upon overhearing a crew member speaking against him, Bligh orders the man to receive the full punishment of two dozen lashes in accordance with the naval code.  While the punishment is being administered, he commands that it be given harder.  “You are going too lightly.  Lay on with a will or you will take his place.”

3.  You Must Have a Fanatical Fixmindedness to Metrics

The narrator describes how the Captain, “….studied his charts hour upon hour to the exclusion of all else.”  Bligh’s terrible decision to take the shorter South American route around Cape Horn instead of the traditional African route around the Cape of Good Hope was made solely to shave 5 months off the voyage.  The Captain knew at the time that only one other ship had successfully made the journey in Winter, and that a cost of 50% of the crew.

In project management, we refer to this as the path of numbers over common sense.

Treat Information That Doesn’t Fit Your Plans as a Direct Challenge to your Authority

In the midst of a terrible storm Bligh goads Christian, “Afraid of a little weather?”  When Fletcher responds cautiously that the masts are in danger of breaking, Bligh verbally strikes at him. “Are you arguing with me?”

5. Take No Regard for the Well Being of Your Team

Bligh sees everyone as expendable and secondary to the success of the project.   After one of the Captain’s orders leads to the death of a crewman, Fletcher requests a proper burial for the man.  Bligh explodes at him. “Never mind Norman!  We lost one full league before I countermanded your order!”

Don’t be fooled.  It doesn’t really matter if your project is on time, on budget and on scope. If you destroy your team, you are a failure as a project manager.

6.  Make Crucial Decisions Without Providing Explanation

After coming through four weeks of horrifying weather, Bligh suddenly institutes “half rations”.  As a team member observed, “Starving the crew is not going to make the ship go faster.”

Have you ever been on a project where the the team’s task deadlines are shortened by half but overtime is forbidden?  This gives people a choice of poor performance or working without pay.

Words from the Admiralty

At Bligh’s court martial, he is exonerated, but reproached by the Admiralty with these words:

The Articles of War are fallible as any Articles are bound to be.

No code can cover all contingencies.
We cannot put justice aboard all our ships.

Justice and decency are carried in the heart of the Captain, or they are not on board.

Alec Satin

   Alec is a PMP certified Program Manager with 16 years of information technology experience.  Alec is one of the brightest and most talented PMs I have ever worked with.  Please visit his blog: http://blog.alecsatin.com