Page Title

Roots and Wings

December 15, 2009

Reference:  Gergen, C. & Vanourek, G. (2008).  Life entrepreneurs: ordinary people creating extraordinary lives.  San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass.

As much as we ascribe to the hero's journey, we are more fragile and vulnerable than we care to admit.  We need others to fortify our resolve, provide perspective, and back us with emotional support.  The deepest sources of strength among the life entrepreneurs we interviewed were their life partners, families, friends, mentors, and business partners.  These close relationships give us roots and wings - roots to ground us and wings to help us fly.

The important people in our lives encourage us to be a person of character and integrity.  They hold our feet to the fire when we drift or waver, help us back on our feet when we stumble, and encourage us to leap when we are ready to soar.  They provide us with the all-important emotional foundation that we need to step forward in the world with confidence, willing and able to take risks because our root system in strong (Gergen & Vanourek, 2008, p. 112-113).

Life Entrepreneurs is available on loan from the Ohio State University Leadership Center.  To borrow this resource or any other resource, please go to the resource search page http://164.107.48.88/winnebago/index.asp?lib=???

Learn how the Ohio State University Leadership Center is inspiring others to take a leadership role that empowers the world at http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu

To subscribe/unsubscribe from the Leadership Moments list  -- send e-mail to: flynn.61@osu.edu

Back to Top >

Created: 2009-12-15, Updated: 2009-12-15