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25th Anniversary

What Matters to Me and Why Session

Moderator
Jim Thompson, Positive Coaching Alliance

Panelists
Catherine Muther, Founder and President, Three Guineas Fund
Cheryl Cole Dodwell, Principal, CCD Enterprises
David Korten, President, People-Centered Development Forum; Board Chair, Positive Futures Network

Organizers of the Panel
Alison Carlson, Suzanne Growney

Jim Thompson
Positive Coaching Alliance
Theme among all three panelists: courage. David: went against the Stanford grain that "capitalism can do no wrong." Catherine: fighting for the rights of women and girls. Cheryl: made the choice to be an at-home mom.

Cheryl Cole Dodwell
Principal, CCD Enterprises
Using my talents to make a difference in the community. Have largely done this through my non-profit career. 

Surprises and things I didn't expect: The community that's most important to me has moved from being GSB professors and friends to include parents and friends that know me beyond my career. That I'd be an at-home mom with two kids. I used to think this was a "suspect" choice, that it might show a lack of ambition. It wasn't until I was in that position that I understood how courageous this choice is.

Commitment and Consistency by Cialdike was an important article for me. After trying to balance work and family for three years, I decided to commit to my family. After having children, I shifted my public service from national issues to taking local action. 

Operating costs to staying home and investing in our future family life: Financial network. Interesting comment that once her classmates decide to stay at home, they go underground. 

Gains: Satisfaction of being with family. Being an agent of change through her children. Bottom line: I'm very happy. Business school has given me the flexibility to be at home now. Realizing that I will go back and work or build something that will create value. We need to hear this story more so the dominant culture will come to value this flexibility.

Catherine Muther
Founder and President, Three Guineas Fund
"Crossing boundaries" should maybe include a discussion of the "home sector." I value the integrated experience from the PMP and the GSB. It gave me the ability and mindset to move across boundaries. I love to be able to take the skills and perspective developed in the business world and apply them to the public sector through my foundation.

Surprises: I wasn't prepared to deal with enemies. I lost a sense of myself and my authenticity and now realize that is truly a lasting strength that I now struggle to hold onto.

David Korten
President, People-Centered Development Forum; Board Chair, Positive Futures Network
(Discussion of his intellectual journey of discovery.) I never dreamed I would be a worldly "prophet" and not working for the family business back in Washington. I've learned the importance of accepting responsibility for our actions and our impact on this planet. 

I taught "management future" at the Harvard Business School. Challenged students to study and question the management frameworks they were being taught under. Leaving Harvard was the most "intellectually freeing" experience of his career. I began studying why development programs tended to hurt rather than help the intended recipients (the poor). How do you manage your organization to empower your clients?

Three reflections on my life: Anytime I have tried to fit into a traditional career role, it has been miserable. I'm happiest when I'm taking a flying leap. One of the most difficult and important steps I've taken is realizing that you can have an identity and influence without having that high-paying job. I realized I had enough financial assets to focus entirely on what satisfied. The question is how much is enough?

Question

Q. What motivated you to courageously make the switches you have?

A. from Cate Muther:
I had to overcome many things (money, career in fascinating industry) and had to decide that I didn't need to achieve the CEO position. It was an emotional and strategic decision to transition. The ability to create my next experience has been incredibly gratifying and exciting. A friend helped me realize my passion.

A. from Jim Thompson:
Don't make the error of wasting your life in pursuit of money—how much is enough?

A. from Cheryl Cole Dodwell:
Authenticity. My passion is my family. I had to recognize that I was making a conscious choice to do this. I had internalized the perception that having children as a powerful executive was a source of extreme weakness and she "hid" my kids for three-four years!