Time to Glow Up...

Who do you put forward?

Do you wait until you’re behind closed doors to advocate for someone?

Do you truly lead without ego?

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not perfect in this area. I want to get better. I’m fortunate to have a wife (Hilary Harkness) who models this for me, even when the stakes are high.

And yet, there she is - putting me forward. Letting me feel the glow of attention. It’s a tangible thing that accrues, having someone who believes in you so much that she wants the entire world to know it - even when it might take the spotlight away from her. Even when people might question her choice. It takes courage, confidence and humility. It makes me think more intentionally about how, as a leader, I can pay that glow forward.

Some background to put this picture into context:

1. We are at the Whitney Museum of American Art

2. Hilary’s work is part of their permanent collection

3. We are in a crowd of prominent collectors, artists and other art world influencers

4. In this arena, I am definitely not the talent