1997: Dear Bob Blake, It’s not only ok but essential lead with heart

1997
Written By Laura Max Rose

Dear Bob,

As you are well aware, a huge amount of our company’s history and success was managed “from the neck up” with highly competitive analytical excellence.  Turns out that is not really my forehand.  Sure, I can keep up and had great educational experiences to bolster.  However, it was my gut and feel for what might be or what someone might need that was my north star.  

As you also are well aware, our company loved the use of classic human resource, leadership development tools to help us all understand each other.  Literally every version of these tools spit out that I was best suited to be a kindergarten teach or nurse.  Every scatter plot distribution of our collective assessments put me flying out to the side on some dimension of uncertain value to our enterprise.  

I am forever grateful for your constant reassurance if not down-right insistence that I leverage and loft my particular kind of light.  We all know it’s just too hard and a waste of time to try to be something or someone you weren’t meant to be.  You were my best advocate to help me embrace and unleash my version of my particular potential.  I am certain you did the same for countless others. 

Thank you for the simple, but often missed encouragement to just be me.

Gratefully,

Ann Simonds

 

aka Annie Hoagland

 
Laura Max Rose

Laura Max Rose is the proud mom of her two beautiful daughters, Selma Baines (3.5) and Violet Mae (<1!) A writer among other things, she started “Look Ma’ No Hands” shortly after Violet was born upon realizing her hands might not be free to type blog posts for a while, but that she still had a whole lot to say. The episodes of “Look Ma, No Hands” are her candid dispatches from the frontlines of motherhood. She interviews experts in fields pertaining to motherhood, mothers themselves and all-around heartwarming and thought-provoking folk whom she hopes will make everyone’s journey easier, fuller and more joyful.

Laura lives in Houston, Texas with her Beshert (that’s Hebrew for “soulmate”), their two girls and beloved Dog, Hampton. Laura’s Husband, Ben Rose, is currently running for Harris County Attorney. You can learn more about him and support his campaign here.

https://www.lauramaxrose.com
Previous

1997: Dear Gayle Fuguitt, Here’s how to sell a risky idea
Next

1997: Dear Ann Richmond Gardner, Just Listen