Remembering Jane Goodall

For today’s Monday Morning Mojo, I want to begin by remembering Jane Goodall, the British primatologist, ethologist, and anthropologist. Jane Goodall died last week, but her work studying chimpanzees in Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park will live on for decades, and possibly centuries to come. Upon her passing, my wife, Lisa, mentioned Jane Goodall was one of her personal heroes. During my time living in China, I saw her in person, and she was everything you would expect. She was committed, genuine and passionate about everything related to chimpanzees and the broader environment, and I want to take a moment to celebrate her here for her inspirational work that dates to the mid-1990s. Here is a nice tribute to her by Jane Pauley of CBS Sunday Morning.

Inspired by Resilience: “Aviate, Navigate, Communicate”

I am just back from a communications conference in Dallas, Texas, where I had the delight of watching my former boss, Chris Graves, moderate a fireside chat with Jim Olson. Jim is a friend and fellow Syracuse University alum. He has made a name for himself in the world of communications, particularly around his work in the airline industry. He taught me how to handle crises in the airline industry, following the playbook, “Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.” Jim was head of communications at US Airways when the famous Hudson River landing event took place under the leadership of Captain Chesley Sulley. Throughout Jim’s career leading communications at US Airways, United Airlines, Starbucks and more, he has always worked to make his mark. This period of his life, however, is significantly different. He shared a story of battling cancer and becoming legally blind, and how he was approaching this. Jim’s talk was truly inspirational. I remember one part in particular. He came out of a successful surgery and was thankful for having a second chance at life. He told a story of a medical professional explaining to him that there were two types of people who go through such events. Those who ask, “Why has this happened to me?” And the others who are thankful for their second chance at life. He remarked he wanted to be one of those people who were thankful. Jim explained he is applying the playbook of “Aviate, Navigate, Communicate” now to his own life. Thank you, Jim, for sharing your story, and I am looking forward to your book. Sharing a picture of Jim and Chris in Dallas.

More Resilience

This past week, there was a story on Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff show about a reporter named Andrew Cherico. Andrew has a rare neuromuscular disease that he has struggled with since birth. Cherico is a wheelchair-bound student reporter for the University of Central Florida’s Knights and had an interaction with Deion Sanders. That interaction is captured in the video below and created greater awareness for his plight and his bravery. Thanks for the inspiration, Andrew.

Contemplating “Compromise”

In athletics, or more broadly throughout my life, the word “compromise” has had negative connotations. I believed if there is something you want bad enough, there is no room to compromise. You get stuck in and you do the work! As I have aged, I have learned of a different view of compromise. I personally believe successful, long-lasting relationships take compromise. While compromise is necessary for success at a personal and professional level, it is even more important in politics. While I promised the Monday Morning Mojo to be apolitical, I have been thinking a lot about the necessity of “compromise” as the US government is at a standstill, and policymakers speak over themselves. And the importance of compromise is even more important in resolving worldwide conflicts like what is happening in Ukraine or in the Middle East. There is a beauty in “compromise”, and it can lead to long-term “win-win” solutions, as opposed to devastating “lose-lose” circumstances. I really hope our world leaders consider the importance of compromise in how they approach solutions, so the broader population of all of us in the world can live a quieter, more peaceful existence. What I personally believe is necessary is broad-based compromise.

Words To Live By

Finally, I had the delight last week of meeting up with a relative, Marc Gellman, and his wife, Jill Turner. Marc and Jill are retired and enjoying life by travelling around the world. Marc shared with me his personal philosophy I think is worthy of a broader audience.

According to Marc, here are two of his life’s expressions that he likes to live by: 1. “Experiences are the currency of life.” 2. “Il dolce far niente”, is an Italian phrase and philosophy that translates as “the sweetness of doing nothing.” Marc commented, “the two are somewhat yin and yang.”

Thank you, Marc, for your guidance, and thank you all for being part of this community. Consider “compromise” in resolving whatever conflicts you have. It will save a lot of angst. Have a great month ahead.