HBR Blog: Brooksley Born and the Power of an Opposing Idea

Here's the link to my latest post over at HBR blogs: 

Ms. Born is a Stanford-trained lawyer, first female to graduate top of her class, etc.  Her story is riveting.  After you read the post, see below for some of my wonderings.

 
Source:  JFK Library -- Ms. Born is receiving the JFK Profiles in Courage award

Whereas I focused on what we as individuals or organizations do when we deal with ideas in opposition to ours over at HBR, here I'd like to focus on what it must feel like to be opposed, opposed (and right) such that she has been dubbed the Credit Crisis Cassandra:  Cassandra is the Greek Goddess who was granted both the gift of seeing the future, and the curse of no one believing her predictions.

Here are my questions:

1)  As Wikipedia describes Cassandra, she is a figure both of the epic tradition and tragedy, where her combination of deep understanding and powerlessness exemplify the tragic condition of humankind.  How must it have felt to have this burden?

2)  In watching the Frontline episode, the attacks were harsh and unrelenting by very powerful people.  How did she bear up under this pressure?

3) She was right.  Others were wrong.  And they were mean about it.  And yet, when you listen to her speak, there is no anger, no recrimination in her voice - only graciousness.  How?  How did she get to this place, a place I would hope we all get to?

4)  Are we not as Cassandra with the people we love, in particular with our children?  We can see where certain decisions will lead; we also know that our utterance of those predictions will more than likely go unheeded.

5) What wonderings do you have? Do you and I have the courage to say what we know to be true? Articulately, but kindly, even under pressure?

6)  When faced with an idea in opposition to our own do you think that Sally's Harker's theory of morning sickness is apropos?

Oh, to ask Ms. Born all these questions -- and more.

What are your questions?  Thoughts? 

Comments

[Blue]

Hi Whitney,
you've got two "http://" in your link to the morning sickness post. I finally found it via search, but you might want to edit it for others ease of access.
Best,
Blue

[Science Teacher Mommy]

In Madeline Albright's biography (fantastic, by the way!) she is talking about the drama of trying to get all of the men to the table to talk about Israeli-Palestinian relations and the frustration she felt over being so close to reconciliation but the temper-tantrums of the world leaders putting a monkey wrench in all of her careful plans. She said that if WOmen had acted such during a summit of similar ideas, everyone would have chalked up their inability to come together to menopause! (Which I read as hormones, PMS, etc.)

I guess what I'm saying is that if her name had been Warren Buffet, we probably wouldn't be in this predicament. Women as gracious and intelligent as Ms. Born, even in the face of overwhelming detractors, will always advance the cause of both women and humanity. I'm glad she's one of "us."

[Jenny]

I'm guessing that you'll be having a face-to-face dialogue with Ms. Born in your future. Dare to dream!
xo

[Whitney Johnson]

Jenny --

I would love to speak with her which I don't know will happen. I did send a copy of the blog to Ms. Born and she graciously thanked me. I wanted to ask about an interview... but it didn't quite feel right. And I'm thinking that there's value in just formulating and asking the question.... because then we can teach ourselves.

Thanks for thinking that I would and/or could!

Whitney

[Whitney Johnson]

Science Teacher Mommy --

Ok -- I must read this autobiography of Madeline Albright. I'm assuming it's Madam Secretary.

Great example.

Whitney

[Maria]

Thank you for introducing us to Ms Born. Great "wonderings".