What does it mean to be Greek (or German, Chinese, Indian, American for the same reason)? How about being human or coming from Planet Earth?
Weird coincidence being interviewed right before the Greek bicentennial for an initiative called “Learn From The Greeks,“ brainchild of the Greek consulates in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
To be absolutely frank, I struggled with the idea. While we all use shortcuts, labels, tags categorizing and identifying traits, characteristics, attributing national identities, similarities, habits that accentuate our belonging to a tribe – I find nationalistic tendencies suspect. I am – like all of us – many things: a blond, a woman, a mother, a Greek, an American, an agnostic, a stubborn, persistent _____ (fill in the blank). Yet I was persuaded to give the interview and there is a part – right about 14′ – where I talk about the light, the sun, that color of Greece, that Mediterranean feel that touches my heart… That and the stubbornness as a Greek characteristic that I’d urge a California entrepreneur to learn and take from a Greek.
Maybe – just maybe – I am much more of a Greek than I’d like to admit:-)
What interests me is helping sharp, intelligently curious people overcome barriers that may be keeping them from achieving more. Passion and boldness can make the art and science of leading easier to navigate. So, have fire; feel with your brain; don't be afraid.
