Conversation As Intersection

My good friend Al Chase, the magnificent leader of White Rhino Partners (how he came up with that name is a story in itself), is dedicated to finding, promoting and sustaining exceptional leadership.  White Rhino Al hosted a program last Spring which he dubbed "Intersection: The Heart of a Leader."  It was a confab in Boston that gathered a diverse group of people--primarily from the worlds of academia, the arts, business, and the military-- to spend two days discussing leadership and how each of four disciplines trains for and uses leadership and--perhaps most importantly--ways in which they can both learn from and teach one another. 

Gathering people from the worlds of academia and the arts and business is not unusual. Adding military leaders to the mix is novel.

Apparently Intersection 1.0 was so well received, it's back in response to popular demand.  Now entitled Intersection 2.0, sounds like a blast.  (I'm not surprised people rave about it. I've gotten to know Al in this past year and have cleared my calendar to take part in Intersection 2.0.)

I like Al's concept of bringing in folks who are good speakers, but turning the tables on expectations of being "talked at."  (Thank Heavens; we are all getting a bit weary of listening to others talk at us.)  Al focuses, I'm told, on creating a true intersection of thought. He does it by mixing and matching attendees in ways that will force active listening as well as provocative exchange of ideas and solutions.  I've heard of several of those he plans to showcase: Scott Smiley, a West Point instructor who was blinded in an IED (improvised explosive device) explosion in Iraq, is one.  Another is Andreas Widner, co-founder of The S.E.V.E.N. Fund, who was a personal body guard to Pope John Paul 11 (who knew?).  Somehow, Al will sandwich into the weekend excerpts from Les Miserables, presented by performers from Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music (Al says he'll use characters from Les Mis to exemplify different kinds of leadership role models), as well as a concert by blue grass artist Jake Armstrong.

 

You gotta love this, no?  My involvement in MyVetwork--the on-line community for our military service men and women and their families--has made me aware of lots of good things happening in the military world, especially around leadership.  In fact, that's how I met Al, after hearing about the remarkable work he does in placing military leaders into high powered civilian roles.  I'm eager to experience the intersection (!) of whatever the military folks are doing well, with the worlds of business, academia and the arts where new leadership approaches are both needed and welcome.

I'll let you know how it goes.  Meanwhile, you may want to join us. I know folks are coming in from Seattle, Houston, D.C., to take part.  Check with Al to see if there are still a few places left. 

Comments

[Al Chase]

Susan,

Excellent description of the spirit of the Intersection events. If your readers are anything like you, their participation in Intersection 2.0 would be very welcome. There is still room for a few more registrants at the beautiful facilities in Cambridge being provided for us by Microsoft.