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Wisdom Warriors

Book

Anyone can read the studies on why companies benefit from having effective women leaders from the C-suite down – just as any rising women executive can read a “how to be a better leader” NYT bestseller.

It's when we get to what's underneath the lessons, where we work through the really hard stuff and share our vulnerabilities - that's where the wisdom lies. That's where we find the insight that's real and useful.

Wisdom Warriors are stories by and about leaders who “get it.” These are stories tested and used in everyday situations. The individuals who generously share these stories are courageous, authentic, and dedicated to helping others be remarkable.

Signature is all about staying true to yourself, knowing that you will falter along the way. It’s about shared wisdom from person to person, generation to generation.

It’s more than stories with facts; it’s storytelling…from the heart.
What was the genesis of the Wisdom Warriors book?

After three years of running the Signature Program and engaging hundreds of executives in this expedition, the opportunity to share the wisdom from our candid, safe, and open conversations came to life. We had discussed practical approaches for how to make a life amid the demands of family and career. And there was so much great advice on topics like managing a tenuous boss relationship, staying true to yourself as you weigh opportunities that weren’t part of your original plan, and practicing the self-care needed to have the energy to be your best at work and still have something left when you go home.

I wanted more up-and-coming leaders to hear this rich insight. That’s why this book had to be written. To share, learn, and experience life through one another. Maybe if we hear it enough different ways, we can actually take it in.

Why call the book Wisdom Warriors?

I shared the concept for a unique executive development program and Network for top-level female leaders with a close advisor. His response? “I love this idea. Women are Wisdom Warriors. They know better than anyone how to pass along wisdom from mother to daughter, sister-to-sister, friend-to-friend and colleague-to-colleague. Only, we don’t do it enough in our business world.” The Wisdom Warrior mantra was born. Our faculty and graduates from the Signature Program believe that they owe it to others to pass along the wisdom so others can benefit from it.

Who are some of these Wisdom Warriors? How did they come to be included?

Wisdom Warriors showcases practical, wonderful ways to live a richer, and perhaps easier, business and personal life. The stories reflect great conversations that have transpired during Signature Leaders programs.

These may not be the high-profile women featured in Fortune Magazine. Yet they are candid, honest, authentic people who are inspiring in their vulnerability and passion. They are the people who come around the table on any ordinary day with a story or piece of wisdom that changes someone else’s life for the better.

More than 90 women (and men) contributed stories to this book. They are women who hold top positions in companies like Avon, Ahold, ADP, Cargill, Hyatt, Maersk Group, Microsoft, Monsanto, and UPS. All are authentic leaders with a passion for giving back. Each has the courage to be true to herself.

How should I use the book?

We only learn what we are ready to learn, so there are several ways you can engage with this book:

  • Struggling with a particular challenge? Flip to the chapter that applies and find solace in stories from women who have faced a similar issue.
  • Have a colleague or direct report who needs specific advice? Pull actionable wisdom or an answer to help you coach them along.
  • Want your daughter to benefit from the Warriors who helped paved her way? Put it on her bedside table, or wrap it as a birthday gift.
What you want me to take from it?

These stories are meant to be shared. Learning is about making mistakes, testing the waters, sometimes failing. Everyone has rough patches. These stories can give you the confidence to move forward when you’re faced with challenges.

The torch of wisdom burns bright and the Wisdom Warriors in these pages share the honor of carrying it with you. Whatever you do – pass it along.

book-cover

Purchase Wisdom Warriors on Amazon.com

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People feel authenticity. They even feel it in emails. Don't you owe it to yourself to be authentic? I think not only can you be authentic, I think you need to be. You owe it to yourself and to your organization to be true to yourself.

- Ann Fandozzi, CEO | ABRA Auto

I had to overcome thinking I had to always fit in. I thought that my generation was going to be the generation where women were going to take the rightful place in company leadership and in some ways we have, but I don’t think we have come as far as I expected. In today's world, different perspectives will make innovation better, will make companies better, will make change better, and will be the difference in making a company survive in this complex world.

- Jane Leipold, former SVP Human Resources | TE Connectivity

Business is a game you have to play and you have to play hard. The game is not going to be risk-free. Playing not to lose is simply not enough.

- Ronee Hagen, retired President & CEO | Polymer Group, Inc.

My father used to say “the only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.” Don’t get into a rut doing the same old stuff because you may as well lie in your grave.

- Anne Hill, SVP & CHRO | Avery Dennison

When you’re in an executive role, you are no longer playing a volume game. You won’t succeed based upon the number of initiatives you drive. Five years from now, you are only going to be remembered for three things. Organizations can’t remember more than three things. So think really hard about what you want those things to be and what you want people remembering you for.

- Lucien Alziari, CHRO | Maersk Group

Whether it’s Carol, the visiting leaders, or the women in the program, role modeling how to lead with purpose is the juice of Signature. That’s what makes it so impactful, with such lasting consequences. I get fueled whenever I’m there, just by being in the room.

- Kristi Hedges, Leadership Coach, Author, Speaker | The Hedges Company
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“Wisdom Warriors illustrates in vividly drawn sketches why we are so much richer as a result of our differences. Sharing our personal stories not only helps others, but it transforms and strengthens all of us.”

– David W. MacLennan, Chairman & CEO | Cargill

“Wisdom Warriors demonstrates why leading life intentionally makes for better leaders. There isn’t a story inside that doesn’t relate to someone! Buy copies to share with colleagues, friends and daughters.”

– Gail Evans, Author | Play Like a Man, Win Like a Woman

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