We're fortunate that our jobs bring us into contact with a lot of good reading material, and over the course of 2010, we've happened upon a few fantastic articles. As we continue with the holiday spirit, we wanted to share five of the best profiles of leaders that we've read this year.
1. The Courage of Jill Costello, by Chris Ballard
Although this article will break your heart, you shouldn't miss it. In 2009, Jill Costello was finishing her junior year at UC Berkeley and anticipating her senior season as coxswain on the women's crew team. As a young and seemingly healthy athlete, she was floored when she was diagnosed with lung cancer shortly before heading home for the summer.
Although this article will break your heart, you shouldn't miss it. In 2009, Jill Costello was finishing her junior year at UC Berkeley and anticipating her senior season as coxswain on the women's crew team. As a young and seemingly healthy athlete, she was floored when she was diagnosed with lung cancer shortly before heading home for the summer.
While many receive a cancer diagnosis, very few react like Jill. She stayed in school, was active in her treatment, and even managed to remain on the crew team for her final year. This is a story about how a leader can lift a team, and how the team can return the favor. It's a story about resilience, perseverance, selflessness and a positive attitude; and, ultimately, it's a story of hope. While Jillpassed away shortly after the conclusion of her senior year, she left a legacy that anyone would be proud of.
2. The Face of Facebook, by Jose Anonio Vargas
Mark Zuckerberg was recently named Time Magazine's Person of the Year, but Vargas' New Yorker profile of the Facebook CEO provides a nuanced view that is much different from other depictions. Like the opposing public images presented by various media outlets, Zuckerberg is nothing if not a contradiction. He's the billionaire CEO of Silicon Valley's hottest company, but doesn't own a TV; he's built an organization where people can (over)share personal information, but remains markedly private; he's on the cutting edge of a digital revolution, but loves classics like The Aeneid. Vargas paints a seemingly genuine portrait of Zuckerberg, a man who values transparency and honesty, and who is trying to build a business that also reflects those values. He's a young leader on a very public stage who has made his share of mistakes, but he seems to have learned from those, and his personal growth and development appear to be matching that of his fast-rising company.
Mark Zuckerberg was recently named Time Magazine's Person of the Year, but Vargas' New Yorker profile of the Facebook CEO provides a nuanced view that is much different from other depictions. Like the opposing public images presented by various media outlets, Zuckerberg is nothing if not a contradiction. He's the billionaire CEO of Silicon Valley's hottest company, but doesn't own a TV; he's built an organization where people can (over)share personal information, but remains markedly private; he's on the cutting edge of a digital revolution, but loves classics like The Aeneid. Vargas paints a seemingly genuine portrait of Zuckerberg, a man who values transparency and honesty, and who is trying to build a business that also reflects those values. He's a young leader on a very public stage who has made his share of mistakes, but he seems to have learned from those, and his personal growth and development appear to be matching that of his fast-rising company.
Great look at the both sides of leadership. Costello and Zuckerberg were great stories, for different reasons, while both of the "bad" looks at leadership come from the government - hopefully just an unfortunate coincidence. My personal favorite as a north-eastern was the in-depth story of Scott Pioli, clearly a guy who realizes good character will more times than not lead to a player who is willing to work hard for a team.
ReplyDeletePerhaps its easy to pull examples of bad leadership from the government these days. Why is that, anyway? Why do there seem to be so many examples?
ReplyDeleteRegarding Pioli, seems like he's really found a formula that works - as the Chiefs have come a long way over the past two years. Can you think of other approaches to building a team that are equally effective?
I enjoyed hearing both sides of being a leader. It goes to show that everyone can be a leader no matter what you choose or what is chosen for you. Both stories are interesting and give people hope that they can be a good leader if they just try something.
ReplyDeleteJill show's great leadership. I can't imagine going through the cancer process while still attending school. She stayed strong and confident that she can pull through. Even though she did not succeed, she will forever live on as a legacy for she did not respond like most people. In my opinion, being a good leader isn't following people, it's starting new trends.
ReplyDelete(Sean Goldstein) Jill has shown us all great courage and motivation. Her story is one of triumpth, although she passed her story will remain forever. I too had a girl in my high school who was diagnosed with cancer. She was confined to a wheel chair and was deteriorating at an increasing rate. All she wanted was to graduate high school and be normal like everyone else. She had to go through ridicule of other immature students and the daily presence of knowing her life was coming to an end. With all that every time I saw her she had a smile on her face. This gilrs courage tought me a great deal about myself and the abilities that inner strength can allow you to achieve. She touched my life and I will never forget what she did and her name, Caryn Wilson.
ReplyDelete(Sean Goldstein) I think Scott Pioli has it right. Guys that may be stars in the NFL or guys that have the fastes 40 time are not always the best football players. If I was running a team as a GM I would have the same philosophy. I want guys that have good character, guys that can lead when the time calls for it and guys that will also follow another ones lead when the time comes. I would much rather have a team of guys that get along and feed off of each other than these guys like T.O. that only care about their bonuses and their stats. Thats not the way football is suppose to be played, football is a team sport.
ReplyDeleteJill Costello is a great example of a leader. Though cancer was accumulating through her body she stayed strong, stayed in school, stayed on her sports team, and influenced her teammates and classmates. Influencing and leading people is hard to do and when someone who is trying to do that also develops cancer i can only imagine the hard times she went through. I'm glad that we look at people like Jill and not only the 'Mark Zuckerbergs of the world' as leaders. You don't need to be rich or famous to be a leader, you need courage and strength with the support of your friends and family.
ReplyDeleteI think both of these people are very fascinating and both very strong representations of leaders
After reading this article you can see that leadership comes in all different styles. Jill understood what was going to most likely happens and yet still she felt compelled to stay in school and on the crew. This shows her teammates how much courage and strength it takes to do what she did. On the other hand there is mark zuckerburg. He is the youngest billionaire in the world. He has come from nothing to build up cutting edge new thing on the internet. Leadership is situational. These two great people have found their own way to become a leader in their own life’s.
ReplyDeleteThese are two excellant examples of leadership. Jill Costello can be admired for everything that she did, from fighting the cancer, to trying to live a normal life. Also, given her age and that she was only in college, she exemplified amazing maturity and strength that many people do not have. The story of Mark Zuckerberg proves how not all leaders let fame and glory go to their heads. He shows that he is not all about the glitz and the glam; like Jill, he just wants to live a normal life.
ReplyDeleteYes - the story about Jill Costello is pretty amazing - and @Brian - you're right. She's setting new trends, and breaking with convention about how someone with cancer is supposed to act.
ReplyDelete@Sean - how did you handled things when others were picking on your classmate? That must have been an incredibly difficult situation.
To those of you who commented on Zuckerberg, what do you think about the criticism that came his way early in his career?
Loved the article. The one about the UC Berkley student was awesome. I really relate to that on a personal note. Just this passed year a good friend of mine was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma which is a type of cancer that effects your bone marrow. My friend actually plays for the Boston College football team and before his cancer, he was predicted as the 4th best NFL linebacker prospect. Mark Herzlich is his name. His story gained popularity after ESPN had created several pieces on Mark. I've always looked up to Mark as a kid but ever since he found out he had cancer he became my icon. After missing a season due to treatment Mark battled the cancer from his body and led Boston College through the tunnel on opening day.
ReplyDeleteJill Costello has now become my role model. She makes me proud to be apart of Kappa Kappa Gamma and determined to be a better person. Within a few minutes of reading it I forwarded the article to my entire chapter. This quality of leadership is hard to come by and the fact that these character traits came from a young college student is really amazing. Unlike Jill I have let many things in my life get in the way of my goals. Jill has put into perspective that even tragedies should not interfere with what is important and present.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you both enjoyed the story of Jill - we thought it was awesome, too. It brings to mind some of the comments that were made in class - that sometimes people don't necessarily choose leadership positions, but they are chosen by others because of their circumstances. Jill didn't choose to get cancer, and if she hadn't, she probably would still be unknown. But she did get it, her story resonated with a writer of a national publication, and now she is considered a leader far and wide. Some would argue right place, right time. I would argue the opposite. Any additional thoughts?
ReplyDeleteEven though 2010 has come and gone the lineup of articles about the best views on leadership is still relevant. The story of Jill Costello is just the spirit of perseverance and influence any leader wants to have on their followers. This does not mean that everyone is a great leader which is seen in the article on the US Senate. For what seems like decades, most of the people in America have more or less hated the government for the lack of progress. Those two articles are the ones that caught my leadership attention for good reasons.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean, that "most people in America have more or less hated the government for lack of progress"? Why is that - expand a bit and let us know where you're coming from.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else I love the article about Jill. Overcoming times that keep you down are what makes a great leader. Never let the bad times get the best of you and always keep your chin up. A true leader shows their team that nothing can keep them from doing what they need to do. There is a guy at my gym that lost his leg in a car accident (I know nothing as bad as cancer but still a good inspirational story). The doctors told him he'd never be able to be fully rehabilitated and would never be able to walk again. He beat the odds and not only can walk but is an active member at the gym as a person trainer and runs marathons frequently. I had him as my personal trainer this summer and just hearing his story made me want to do more. Its the same as Jill, she helped drive her team and classmates in general.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a book right now called "Unbroken," about this guy in World War II that overcomes ridiculous odds to survive (at least, so far - haven't finished it yet). Inspiration comes in different forms and from varied stories. Why can't the guy at your gym be just as inspiring as Jill - especially since you know him?
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved the Jill Costello story. It is truly inspirational to see how even though she had cancer she lived her life as she would have if she didn't have cancer. I have a family friend who about five years ago was diagnosed with lung cancer. Her husband smoked everyday and they told her that while she was being treated that she couldn't be around cigarette smoke. Her husband never quit so she had to move out. She eventually beat the cancer, and around this time last year she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The doctors told her that she probably wouldn't be able to beat it this time. However, she did. I have never seen someone with so much courage and determination as her. She has been a true inspiration to my whole family and I'm sure everyone who knows her story.
ReplyDeleteI think that is a great sign that Honest Tea has rejected all of the changes that Coke tried to do it. Im glad that they are standing up on for their principles and not just money hungry. Also the case about GM is a very good one because it shows how the companies can turn around and aren't all just on the brink of failure. I think it is good that they are already trying to decrease the government stake in their company.
ReplyDeleteThat's an amazing story about your friend who has beat cancer TWICE! Lots of stories like that out there that we might be aware of on a local level, which goes to prove the concept of the everyday leader. While they may not have a formal title, these folks still have a great deal of influence on those who they do come in contact with.
ReplyDeleteIt’s surprising to see so many different aspects of leaders today. For example, the Zuckerburg profile really paints a different picture than his movie. As the profile states, he has made some mistakes, but he is only human, and we can expect that from every leader. Leaders must know how to be genuine and honest, and if a mistake is made, they must know how to resolve it. Zuckerburg really seems to know what he is doing, and leaders must not only be true to their followers, but also to themselves.
ReplyDeleteI think The Face of Facebook would be a great read. I think Mark Zuckerberg is a genius and the idea of Facebook to connect people is a brilliant idea. The movie that came out about him was good, so I might actually look into this book. I think that the haters against Zuckerburg just hate because he is doing something that is somewhat risky and never known before. I think that Zuckerberg definitely learned from his past and will keep up the amazing job he has been doing.
ReplyDeleteI cannot say I know much about the creator of Facebook but it is safe to safe (according to the article) that he was genius with the idea. From what I have heard other people say, the movie depicts the creator of Facebook as a lone wolf nerd who in the process of finding himself in the college world becomes a d-bag. In a leadership perspective this is very common throughout history, to witness people turn from quiet people in the back of their university to popular icons and world leaders.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the 5 profiles of this post, I learned a lot of things I had never known. Some of the articles I had never read before. The profiles and articles about influential people and events in 2010 were very interesting from a leadership perspective. It was also remarkable that this piece was written almost a year ago and you really have seen some of these people make an impact and change in 2011. One article that stood out to me was the piece on Jill Costello. Costello’s story of resilience and determination of fighting against the odds was remarkable. It touched me to see a leader fight till the very end and also get the upmost support from her team. I’m sure it can be challenging to continue all of your daily activities such as finishing college, remaining on the crew team with a grim diagnosis of lung cancer, to me that really shows her leadership determination. From generals to general managers, this post really gives you such a wide aray of leaders and what they have accomplished.
ReplyDelete2. I really liked what Vargas said about Zuckerberg…” a man who values transparency and honesty, and who is trying to build a business that also reflects those values.” Facebook is a very open but also private interface. It is only as public as you allow it to be (for the most part). That gives it a transparent atmosphere. I like that from this you can tell that Zuckerberg has learned many valuable lessons pertaining to leadership, life, and friendship. He has not let those bumps slow him down. He continued to be a great leader, a young inspirational leader.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of anyone within this post except Zuckerberg, and I can honestly say that I truly want to read these other profiles now. However, as Facebook has become such an integrated part of society's everyday life, I do find that particular story to be perhaps a little more interesting than the others. I also find it particularly inspirational that he began as a college student (something to which I can obviously relate). His story inspires me because as college students, we all have ideas and dreams which we secretly fear won't come true. This is a little pep talk of sorts, reminding us that for at least some of us, it will happen.
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