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Reflections on What Came BeforeMany of you spent several evenings over the past two weeks glued to your television
sets, as I did, mesmerized by Ken Burns’ new PBS documentary film The War. It’s no wonder we were so strongly affected by the film – even though the events of World War II occurred over 60 years ago, most of us grew up with parents or grandparents who
lived through it. “The War” was a big presence in our own lives as a result. There were, of course, the truly worldwide proportions of the conflict and the still-staggering numbers: soldiers killed and wounded, civilian casualties, weaponry produced, rounds of ammunition expended, planes lost, ships sunk, places destroyed. Even today it’s hard to imagine the sheer size of the undertaking. In the face of this
immense challenge, people and their leaders both in battle and on the home front showed great courage, without much fuss: you just did what had to be done. The film follows the major events of the war through the stories of some 40 diverse individuals, and I was struck over and over with the power of their narratives. Perhaps such epic events can only be understood and related to others through story, the very
essence of human communication. These stories, though, were all the more moving because they spoke not only of great deeds and amazing occurrences, but also of all the little things of daily life. It’s that texture that brings the stories alive and connects us to these witnesses to a time long past. I reflected as well on memory and its surprising hold over us as I watched the film, night
after night. Several recent studies of how the human brain works have revealed that events that prompt strong emotions – fear, anger, or conflict – are fixed much more clearly in our memories due to a particular physiological and chemical process. But you don’t need that kind of scientific proof to see how strongly these long-ago events are etched in the memories of those who lived through them. Many from that generation,
so different from those that followed, have kept the most horrible memories to themselves all these years, and are only now finding it possible to give them voice. It’s hard not to feel the real loss of community since that time as you listen to the stories of how people back home gave their all to the war effort. Everyone felt that their actions could materially affect what happened to “our boys” across the globe. And what
was accomplished by this unity of purpose was truly incredible, by all accounts. Would we do the same things today, sacrifice so many comforts large and small, even if we were asked to by our political leaders? One does wonder. There are also the unexpected stories of military leadership lacking in vision and wisdom even at the most critical moments, with catastrophic results on the field of
battle. But those are counterbalanced by the many tales of heroism and individual initiative in so many venues both at home and in the theaters of war. There are plenty of lessons in leadership to be found in the study of the history of any age, but we could all learn a lot by simply talking quietly for a time with those elders we may know who lived through the war and that time. Don’t wait, though; the last words on the screen before
the final credits roll tell us that 1,000 WWII veterans die every day. Coaching can help you better understand your own kind of leadership, whether heroic or quiet. Let’s talk. Call (410)626-6008, or email info@bloomfieldassociates.com. 
What are your own reflections on the leadership lessons of history, stories, memories, and community? Here are a few questions for journaling or otherwise contemplating your own experiences: - Recall one or two of the most significant historical events that occurred during your early adulthood. What emotions do these recollections evoke in you? How did you respond to events at the time?
- What stories do you tell about those times and your role in these events, whether as a participant or a witness to them? What meaning do you ascribe to them?
- Think of a time in your life when you felt a part of something larger than yourself, perhaps because of your involvement in your community’s response to some kind of disaster, whether natural or manmade. What sticks with you from that experience?
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According to a study by Catalyst, Fortune 500 companies with the highest percentage of women on their boards saw equity returns that were 53% higher than those companies with the fewest number of women on their boards. These companies saw a
return on sales that was 42% higher than those companies with the least number of women. Similarly, they saw a return on invested capital that was at least 66% higher.
Too many personal items may imply a lack of professionalism, according to researchers at the University of Michigan’s business school. Based on interviews with managers, they recommend that no more than one in five items should be of a personal
nature. Any more than that and managers’ perceptions of your work habits may become unfavorable.
Two-thirds of job seekers are influenced to either take a job or refuse by the attitudes and behaviors of hiring managers during interview sessions, according to research by DDI and Monster Inc. An aloof manner is cited by 70% as the most annoying behavior of interviewers, while 57% dislike when information about positions is withheld, and
interviews that turn into “cross-examinations” turn off 51% of job seekers. 
Crowdfunding A new web-based method of raising capital to fund some sort of new venture. For
example, a band uploads a track or two of its music on an open website and fans are asked to pledge a sum in return for a share of the profits when a studio recording is produced and distributed. If enough money is raised within a set time period – usually two weeks – the project gets the green light. The crowdfunding concept has already been applied to movies, software development, and community development as well as to music. 
 “Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time,” by Tony Schwartz, Harvard Business Review, October 2007. What I like about it: Schwartz, a co-author with Jim Loehr of the popular 2003 book The
Power of Full Engagement, has an article in the current issue of HBR that describes how the principles of energy management have been successfully applied in several different corporate settings with the full support of company leaders. Data collected in a controlled setting confirm anecdotal evidence that these energy management programs boost the effectiveness of employees on several key financial metrics. Check it out!
Beth Bloomfield
Executive Coach, Strategy Consultant
Principal, Bloomfield Associates
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