Flies dive-bombed Dr. Ellen Weber’s hair as she attempted to capture curiosity from her young students. Irritated by relentless insects, Ellen asked a few boys in class if they’d get rid of sluggish fall flies. Within minutes the whole class joined in, slamming books on the monstrous cluster flies, who'd unfortunately picked Ellen’s classroom as a place to spend winter. Suddenly imaginary flies apparently alighted on many students’ heads, since text books batted heads like bats to ping pong balls. In a few minutes, chaos subsided, buzzing ceased, laughter quieted and class resumed with questions about leadership that differs.
Donna Mah Delaughter, a student in that class over thirty years ago, retold the tale recently. Through laughter and colorful stories about Ellen's challenges to reach beyond barriers, Donna attributes many of her own marked leadership skills. Her abundant risk- taking qualities and innovative mind sharpened through Ellen’s facilitation during her top role on the debate team. Donna and several of her peers on the team went forward to win a national trophy. As a young teen in a Canadian school at the time, Donna began a journey that launched life-long learning and never looked back.
Donna recognized her father as a person who prodded her to think beyond stereotypes. He and his family found their way to Canada after they emigrated from China. He wanted his children to be all they could be and though women in his country had been restricted, he envisioned much more for Donna. He said she could even be a doctor if she wanted, and her mother consistently supported Donna's visionary plans.
Donna Mah Delaughter worked her way up the ranks to achieve a top level position as Accountant for SIRAS, a subsidiary of Nintendo. Her quickness and innovative spirit flow unsparingly at the request of SIRAS’ President. She hopes to leave a legacy in life and in work, and in this capacity enjoys mentoring new employees as well as volunteering her time to counsel teens in her church. Donna gives much of her time and talent away and in that role has gained much and benefited all!
In A Whole New Mind, Daniel Pink shows that in the new Conceptual Age in which we live, we need to go beyond the mind that merely crunches numbers. We now need people with a very different kind of mind--one that is both creative and full of empathy. Donna has amazing ability to understand what makes fellow workers tick. She forges many relationships and cares for others. She recognizes patterns as she mines data from many data banks and makes new meaning from it. And best of all, Donna loves to play with ideas, challenges and possibilities. During her interview Donna challenges us to think of ourselves as the actual owner of the company where we work.
Below Donna shares insights that help us see the heart and soul of her innovative leadership.
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