Viewing entries tagged
#Inspiration

I'm Inspired by Candace Faber

Have you ever read over somebody’s bio or résumé and been completely intimidated, only to meet them in person and say to yourself, “Wow, they’re really cool?” I’m sure that happens to Candace Faber all the time. I won’t go into her accomplishments here. For that, I recommend you check out her LinkedIn profile. I met Candace only a few months ago, just after she returned from serving as a foreign diplomacy officer in Afghanistan. What captivates me most about Candace is how comfortable she is in her own skin. Additionally, our conversations always leave me with substantial food for thought. It is my honest pleasure to introduce (or reintroduce) you to Candace Faber. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I have.

Who Inspires You?

Artists, adventurers, activists, researchers, entrepreneurs—basically, everyone who dares to create something new! I seek out their stories. They serve as excellent counterpoints to the bigger narratives in our society, which often treat the world as a static place in which all games are zero-sum. I am inspired by people who create space for change, who explore new frontiers, and who, in economic terms, “grow the pie.” 

What is the most interesting question you’ve ever been asked and how did you respond?

A friend dared to ask me, “What would you do if you were not afraid?” That question is really deep. I could not answer him until I dug into myself and identified what I was afraid of and why, a largely involuntary process that took a year and a near-fatal car accident to get through. Now, I can finally answer: “This is what I would do.” I still have my fears; I’m just choosing every day to overcome them. 

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I write short stories. 

If you removed all constraints how would you spend your time?

Exactly as I am now.

How did you get to where you are today?

Many, many leaps of faith. For example, when I was offered a fellowship from the Department of State, I was just 19. I could not even picture what a diplomatic career would be like. It was terrifying. The same thing happened when I decided to go to Afghanistan. These steps into the dark led to incredible experiences and friendships with inspirational people all over the world. I felt equally uncertain about the future when I launched my business this spring, but I hope to look back once again and feel that it was worth the risk.

What are you doing to be the person you want to be?

Immersing myself in new knowledge—I have a lot to learn from those who’ve been down this road before. Living in the city where I want to build my life—I believe in Seattle and am committed to being part of its future. Surrounding myself with people who inspire me—because none of us can do this alone. 

What can you do today to improve someone else’s life?

The question is the answer. It requires a shift in attention away from our own needs and toward others.

We really never know when we’re going to have the opportunity to make a difference. Sometimes it’s easy. The other day when a man on Bell Street asked me for food, I happened to have a fresh bag of chips and salsa from Mama’s Mexican Kitchen right there in my lap. Often it’s harder, requiring us to sacrifice something—time, energy, resources—that we would rather keep for ourselves. 

In many cases, our individual interventions are small, and we may not even realize that we have made an impact. When I worked in policy, I had to come to terms with the fact that I could never take credit for the big changes I helped to advance. But the cumulative effect of all our positive interventions is profound. 

What is the toughest decision you ever had to make, and what did you learn from it?

After ten years with the U.S. Department of State, I decided to resign from my career as a diplomat. This choice was heart-wrenching. The Foreign Service is more than a job; it is a tight-knit community of people with unique experiences. It has been hard to let go.

This transition has taught me that change is painful. I have had to rely on others in ways that made me deeply uncomfortable. I have been humbled; I have had to sacrifice wealth and status, knowing that I may never get it back. But I have changed my definition of success. Whatever comes of this latest step into the dark, I know that I am living an authentic life. 

What do you think is the most fascinating subject/concept in the world?

I am amazed by the power of stories to shape the way we behave. 

What makes you smile?

Any expression of wonder, delight, or understanding. That means I melt a little around children and puppies--who doesn’t--but what’s really satisfying is when adults like me are changed by a fresh idea. Anything that helps us overcome cynicism is worth a big open-mouthed smile. 

What projects are you currently working on?

I am collecting interviews with inspirational women, which I hope to publish as a book. I am also building my company, Whoa!, a brand strategy and creative communications agency. Basically, I strive to create powerful positive narratives that lead to action.

What question did I not ask you that you wish I had and how would you answer?

What idea has had the biggest impact on my life? Two years ago, my friend Suzanne gave me a book by Martha Beck that articulated the idea of an “everybody committee.” When we say, “Everybody thinks I shouldn’t try this,” or, “Everybody thinks I’m not capable,” who is this everybody? Usually, the only person on that list is our self. Beck challenges us to populate the word “everybody” with people who know us, love us, and have our backs. Now, when I experience a crisis of confidence, I just think about my everybody committee. Their faith gives me courage.

How can we support you?

By letting me know how I can support you! 

How can we contact you?

Reach out through the contact form at whoaseattle.com or on Twitter @kingushia.

 

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I'm Inspired by Kristiina Hiukka

It was one Thursday evening a couple years ago when fellow classmate Tauschia Copeland called me and asked if I would be able to record a panel discussion on Friday for a conference that would take place that weekend. In a time when it seemed as though every spare moment was spoken for, I happened to have a free Friday and weekend, so I agreed to help out. Besides, I'd come know that Tauschia has an uncanny ability to surround herself with really cool people, organiations, and initiatives. So when she called, I knew I had to answer.

The next day I showed up at the Pacific Science center accompanied with trusted friend and very talented photographer Andrew Vanasse to record both video and photography for the discussion. That's when I met Kristiina Hiukka. What I found in Kristiina was much more than somebody who decided to host just another conference. Her passion to increase access and literacy for women in innovation as well as supporting those already involved was, and remains, insatiable. She not only hopes to address the people involved, but the systems to create lasting, sustainable results. It was this passion and dedication to the human spirit that compelled me to volunteer a full day to provide photography services in order to help capture and share the story of the day and the mission of the conference.

Since then, I've had the pleasure of running into Hiukka all over Seattle, seemingly with boundless energy to live the change she wants to see in the world. A few weeks ago, Kristiina agreed to meet me at The Hub Seattle to share with me what inspires her to do what she does day in and day out with Women In Innovation.

Who Inspires You?

Right now…people who know how to collaborate. I believe that people who are masters of collaboration have a good sense of themselves. They do not think of life as a competition but an opportunity to share what they know so that others can benefit. Businesses that have a strong brand can afford to collaborate because they are not diminished but strengthened by collaboration.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I also serve as the Honorary Vice Consul for Finland in WA state…

If you removed all constraints how would you spend your time?

Watch movies, read, write, travel, love, laugh…

How did you get to where you are today?

With curiosity and courage

What can you do today to improve someone else’s life?

Work as a personal leadership coach—helping people to embrace their lives holistically, not just as compartments of work and “other life”

What do you think is the most fascinating subject/concept in the world?

Collaboration—why it is so hard (we have wars and conflict) and why do we assume it is a “soft skill?" I think it is the hard core human skill and we really don’t know it yet.

What makes you smile?

My son Markus (16) and my life partner Bob who bring humor to my life.

What projects are you currently working on?

Women in Innovation, WIN—The platform for women who innovate and those who support them. I’m also designing a Collaboration Lab for WIN, and looking for partners to create the next Women in Innovation Summit 2014.

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I'm Inspired by Drew Jones

It’s a month after graduation and people are beginning to ask me, “Now that you’ve finished your MBA program and you’ve had time for it to sink in, would you do it over again if you were given the choice?” I have to say I would. Now that I’ve had a little time to decompress, I’ve come to realize a lot (some of which I’ll reflect upon in an upcoming blog post), but when I think about the entire experience, I have to say that the time spent in school in the woods was a good one. I’m most grateful for two things. First, I learned a great deal about myself over the past two years and how I can put my talents and strengths to work. Secondly, I was fortunate to meet some truly amazing people.

Drew Jones is one such individual. From the first time we met during an exercise designed to teach about power and privilege to the last days of serving as co-chairs for the Diversity and Social Justice Committee for BGI, he has continued to amaze me. He’s partly responsible for some of the most fascinating books I’ve read lately, including Sophie’s World among others. When I asked him what/who inspires him, he spoke of his wife Mindy—and I must say—I definitely agree with him. Check out what he had to say about Mindy and learn more about who he is as a person below.

 


Who Inspires You?

I’m inspired by people who take risks and do the things they love to do.

What is the most interesting question you’ve ever been asked and how did you respond?

It’s a little clichéd now, but Peter Graf from SAP was the first to ask me “What’s on my B side?” as in what’s the stuff that doesn’t get on the front side of a business card, or what’s the stuff usually left out of a professional bio. I told him that if the economy were different, I’d be in culinary school, not business school.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I minored in classical studies and can translate Latin.

If you removed all constraints how would you spend your time?

I’d read all the books, learn how to play all the instruments, assemble an orchestra, and learn how to compose music.

How did you get to where you are today?

I got here with a lot of help from friends and family. I also had some great mentors and role models in my life, who helped shape the person I am today.

What are you doing to be the person you want to be?

I try to live within my personal code of ethics: 1. Listen more than you talk. 2. Give more than you take. 3. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

What can you do today to improve someone else’s life?

I think a lot of people crave connection – we live in a very lonely world. The easiest and most impactful way to make a difference quickly is to make eye contact and smile at someone. The second most impactful way is to say hello. The third is to listen.

What is the toughest decision you ever had to make, and what did you learn from it?

I had to make a very tough decision in my early 20s that was irreversible and would have lasting impacts on my health, relationships, and options I would have down the road, both career-wise and personal-wise. I learned that I’m a lot stronger than I thought I was, and a lot happier when I follow my own path.

What do you think is the most fascinating subject/concept in the world?

There are too many to count! I’ve always been drawn to mythology, and studying comparative mythology, comparative religion, and trying to find the great monolith that unifies us as a species. Joseph Campbell did most of my work for me before I was ever born, but the more I learn about other people, the more I find that even as disparate as we might seem, there are elements that appear over and over again, these patterns that repeat themselves through time and space and geography. Story structures, musical styles, art motifs, dance, architecture, rituals … so many other things are similar all over the world. I think this is fascinating stuff, because I think it gets to the root of what makes us human.

What makes you smile?

I am an absolute sucker for puppies, kittens, and babies.

What projects are you currently working on?

I’ve recently begun storyboarding a web comic that I’ve had rattling around in my head for years and hope to start publishing panels within a month or so. It’s called “Small Bear” and you’ll be able to find it at www.smallbeardesign.com once it’s up. I’m also developing a set list of folk songs from the European medieval period on guitar, and once I find a place to practice that won’t annoy my neighbors, will be resuming fiddle lessons.

What question did I not ask you that you wish I had and how would you answer?

This was a tough one! I’ll give you my standard interview question: You have a stone that you can turn over three times. With each turn of the stone, you can invite a person, living or dead, to your fabulous dinner party, so long as they bring a cheesecake. You turn the stone over three times. Who do you invite? My answer is: Hilary Clinton (she brings a New York cheesecake,) Ursula K. LeGuin (she brings an Oregon blueberry cheesecake,) and Marie Curie (she ignored the cheesecake rule and brought a bottle of wine.)

How can we support you?

Check out Small Bear as soon as it goes live and tell all your friends about it!

How can we contact you?

Email: drewjones@gmail.com or drew.jones@bgi.edu Phone: 1.360.223.4857 Twitter: @Drew_Says


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