I first met Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run, eating lunch at a sidewalk cafe in Paris. She was a fellow American who, when she heard my friends and I speaking English, immediately introduced herself. Since then, she’s become one of my role models – Molly has a passion and inner beauty that shines through her every word and action & she’s done amazing things with her program for young girls.
I am so excited to share her Ted Talk with y’all! In a letter to Congress, Molly speaks from the heart about her frustrations with our current state of affairs in the United States, leadership and her own personal struggles and life lessons. Honestly, it made me want to cry.
I am particularly intrigued by Molly’s view on leadership and the way she approaches it from the humble place of love, compassion and empathy. In wake of my post on Southern values, and in continued study of Scriptures, I keep seeing this common thread that all of our actions should be above all, driven by love.
As a leader, it’s so tempting to be tough and serious – I know from personal experience that sometimes being in charge of even the smallest project can feel like the weight of the world. In college, I’ve grown so much as a leader, but I continue to be discouraged in my own leadership skills. There is still so much I have to learn about being a leader, but listening to Molly, I’ve come to the realization that it’s okay to just lead with kindness. And, that’s a lesson I am still processing.
-Yelena
PS. This is the second Ted Talk I am reviewing on the blog as part of my 101 in 1001 project. Check out the first post on the danger of a single story.
