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March 2024 |
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In the March 2024 Newsletter New to receiving this newsletter? You can subscribe or unsubscribe anytime. To The Top: More Leadership Lessons from My Climb Up Kilimanjaro  Theresa at the Kilimanjaro base camp.
I was going to the top of Africa to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro. My last newsletter set the stage and highlighted two leadership lessons: (1) Clarify Your PURPOSE and (2) establish a PLAN. Here's more of the story and other leadership lessons learned from getting To The Top as well as serving as State Chief Information Officer and being a serial technology entrepreneur. How will you apply them to your life? . Lesson 3. Prepare Oprah Winfrey reminds us that "Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity." With the right plan in place for my 6-day trek on the Marangu Route to the top of "Kili" at 19,340 ft, it was time for more preparation. To be lucky (and make it To The Top), there are ways to prepare to pursue your passionate purpose. My preparation started before leaving home with my exercise regimen. I hiked nearly daily. I talked to experienced mountain climbers who explained how to pack for the journey. Using the Pack Strategy, one of the six success strategies in the Pursuit of Passionate Purpose formula, I packed the essential energizers and positive forces, and unpacked hindrances and negative forces that discourage. This strategy is relevant for all life pursuits.
BUSINESS LESSON. Success in our professional life also takes preparation. My entire career and education prepared me to serve as the Chief Information Officer of the State of Colorado. Being the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT) was a huge and important job. It helped that I had been an engineer, product manager, management consultant and coach, 3x tech entrepreneur, author, and speaker with a proven leadership approach. It took all of this experience and my healthy lifestyle of meditating and exercising daily to keep up the pace. It paid off. How are you preparing to meet your career opportunities? Do you have the right coach to help you along the way? Lesson 4. Connect with People As the Connections Strategy, one of the six success strategies in the Pursuit of Passionate Purpose formula, suggests, "It is vital to build relationships with and bring along on life's journey the proper people and support network, and lessen the impact of improper ones." We don't get to the top alone. It takes a support team. In climbing Kilimanjaro, I had the proper guide (or coach) committed to going to the top. Additionally, I had my hard-working porter carrying my luggage (later did I learn to lighten the load), as well as the all-important cooks. Fellow travelers came from all corners of the world. My immediate climbing team, organized by the outfitter, consisted of people from Sweden and Scotland and the USA. I remember learning to LISTEN intently around the table at dinner, as deep international accents were at times challenging to understand. It helped to RELAX and go with the flow, so I could grasp the humor and LAUGH. We were on our way. I had the PROPER TEAM. I wondered who in this group would make it to the top? BUSINESS LESSON. In work as in play, relationships are key. At OIT, I built a strong and diverse executive team. Diversity brings strength. To handle IT support for the 30,000 people working for the State of Colorado and for 5.8M Coloradans, we had a team of 1000 staff members and managers, as well as hundreds of independent contractors. We worked to keep all the systems operating, information flowing, and technology advancing securely. A big job! The proper people at OIT were energizers. Counter to some perceptions, these government people were dedicated, hard-working, smart, fast-moving, and creative. They chose to work in the public sector, rather than the private sector, because it brought meaningful work. Public service is a pursuit of passionate purpose. As in climbing, it's important to have the PROPER TEAM and to LISTEN closely to them. Learn to RELAX and LAUGH along the way so you can enjoy the journey. Who are the important connections in your personal and professional life? Appreciate them. Summary Look for my next newsletter which will continue with more of the story and lessons learned on getting To The Top (or ask me to speak about "To The Top" at your next meeting or conference). How can I help you and your organization through coaching and consulting set and reach your goals? Remember, whether you're climbing a mountain or striving to perform in other aspects of your personal or business life, recognize that the journey is a pursuit of passionate purpose. The lessons learned in reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro align with the proven 4-phase Szczurek Process: (1) find your passion, (2) align it with a meaningful purpose, (3) pursue it persistently with a plan and the proper people, (4) until you assess progress, make midcourse corrections, and celebrate success. You will get top results! Selected Events April 8, 2024. Where will you be during the Solar Eclipse? I intend to 'Follow the Sun,' driving from Colorado to a place with clear skies so I can experience totality. Let me know if you are keen for an adventure. I'm seeking the right driving partner to travel with me, leaving April 4-5. Please contact me ASAP. April 13, 2024. Join me as a Trustee at the Western Colorado University Mountaineer Gala honoring Dick Bratton and supporting scholarships. Cherry Hills Country Club, Denver. 6:00 PM MT. Learn more and register. April 15-16, 2024. See you in New York City. With other 50 Women to Watch for Boards, I'll be attending the Equilar Board Leadership Forum at the Nasdaq Marketsite, NYC. Let me know if you can get together in the afternoon of April 15 or the morning of April 16. April 18, 2024. Join me and keynote speaker Dr. Angie Paccione at the Fundraising Gala for the Colorado Women's Education Foundation. 4:00-6:00 PM MT at the Tivoli in Denver. Register here. April 19-23, 2024. Theresa is in the Tacoma, WA area. Are you? Reach out and let's connect. Before April 30, 2024. As one of the 50 Women to Watch for Boards, I encourage qualified women who have not yet served on a public board to apply. 50/50 Women on Boards is seeking its next cohort. The aim is to reverse corporate boards that lack female representation by introducing and promoting women who are board-ready to partners and companies seeking qualified female executives. Learn more.
Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D. Pass it on. Feel free to share this newsletter, using my name and copyright declaration, with your colleagues. |
 Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D.
Technology and Management Solutions
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