Bridge building is the discipline of turning tension into better outcomes. It starts with a mindset shift: Instead of avoiding conflict, welcome constructive conflict. And then use it productively. Bridge building creates win-win solutions in complex situations. It is getting to a result where both sides achieve what matters. That requires asking better questions, surfacing what is driving each party, and expanding the range of possible solutions.
Earlier in my career, after spending many years in the mortgage space, I made the decision to step into a much broader role that was well outside my comfort zone. It required me to build something from scratch in an area where I had a lot to learn, but I was able to lean on my core skills organization, curiosity and a willingness to figure things out while stretching into unfamiliar territory. What I didn't realize at the time was that decision would set a pattern.
Melissa Mack, Director on the Professional Certification Board for ASIS and Managing Director at Pinkerton, about her experiences in rising to a leadership position in a traditionally male-dominated field. Mack expressed that for a majority of her career, she "was often the only woman in the room." "I learned very quickly how to work and adapt in a male-dominated environment," Mack states.
Diller is one of the most consequential people in the [media] industry's history, and he's also someone I consider a genuine mentor. His memoir, Who Knew, reads the way he actually talks, which means no spin and no flattering self-portrait. He tells you exactly how deals got made and why people behaved the way they did. For anyone trying to understand how real power operates in entertainment, it's essential reading.
When she was 10, Marie Gleeson petitioned for girls to be allowed to serve at mass alongside the altar boys. The anecdote, shared in the opening pages, sets the tone for this memoir from one of the first female captains in the Irish navy.
Accepting a sales position on the REALTOR.com inside sales team. This position paid a salary of $60K, less than what I was making running a regionally based shoe company, but had variable compensation of triple what I was making. Sometimes in life, you have to take a step back to go forward. Bet on yourself and use fear as fuel. My grandfather told me to never take a job for money. If it gets you excited, it's something you believe in, and it's not illegal, then go for it.
If you look at FC Bayern Women's line-ups over the last seven years, one constant sticks out on the left side: the number 30, Carolin Simon. She's much more than just a shirt number, though. Simon made over 160 competitive appearances in the red and white - always reliable, resilient and high-quality. Her influence wasn't restricted to the white lines, though. With her experience and her personality, she also shaped what grew off the pitch: a team who drew closer together, who matured - and helped make the club what it is today.
David Battat '91 has built a career on curiosity and service to his communities - as a healthcare CEO, a leadership instructor, a first responder, and a longtime Harvard volunteer. On July 1, he will bring this same approach to a new role as the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) president.
“He told me to take out a calendar and write down everything I did each day,” Solomon recalled this past weekend to MBA graduates of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. “And I noticed, when I had to account for every minute, that I actually wasted a reasonable amount of time.”
“I wish everybody in the game could either play for Bobby or work with Bobby for at least one year just to see how it's supposed to be done,” Weiss said. “He was different. He was a different type of leader, different type of person, really. He just created loyalty with how he treated people and that respect always came back to him.”
Mentorship leaves an inheritance of values, connection, and belief carried forward by others. Education and leadership are ultimately relational, grounded in humanity and connection. Legacy lives through relationships, community, compassion, and the people we continue to shape.
Trump traveled to China on Wednesday to meet with Jinping, greeting the Chinese leader at an extravagant welcome ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People. Xi opened the meeting between the two presidents by expressing his desire to find and discuss ways for their countries to work together. He then gave the floor to Trump, who first shared his admiration for the welcome ceremony.
“I think everybody's done a really good job of communicating the legacy of Bobby Cox in the last several days. There's been a lot of great stories,” said Weiss when he was asked about his thoughts on the whole situation. A lot of confirmation about what a great leader he was and the impact he had on so many people.
