Bill’s interview of Sheryl worked through a variety of topics.
On loss and resilience:
I’ve looked forward to this session, after listening to Krista Tippet interview Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant regarding their book: Option B. Her learnings through the untimely death of her husband shaped their book on resilience.
Reflecting on her book, Option B, no one in the middle of grief believes it will get better. No one. identifies 3 “p”s in the grieving process:
personalization – it’s easy to blame oneself for the tragedy, for the loss. It’s not your fault. Reviewing all the things you might have done only adds shame on top of the grief.
pervasiveness – everything is affected; everything is terrible. The entire world is over.
permanence – it will get better. And it really will. In time, giving yourself permission to be grateful.
Applied to organizations, those that learn from their failings… who practice resilience… can learn and grow. They can overcome those failings.
Sheryl is a leading voice, advocating the value of women in leadership. She spoke to the significant role men must play to elevate, not merely their position, but their core value.
Do we – in local churches – attempt to position women so we have a female leading? Rather than recognizing and investing in women leaders, because of the value they bring?
Do we invest in them as we would our male leaders?
As Sheryl talked about what was helpful and unhelpful in her grief, I considered my own tendencies in responding to people who could use genuine care…
Am I thoughtful about what I say before I say it?
Do I think I’m supposed to fix the problem, move them through their sadness or say something spiritual or biblical?
When have I put the burden on them by asking “What do you need?” rather than simply acting in kind ways.
Ultimately, the overarching value of family is about investing in people. it is about prioritizing. It is about being concerned and caring about the things they care about. When the value of people is lived out at work, we listen; we offer grace; we insist on feedback; we treat people as humans – male or female.
