SSA/KWR Celebrity: Angela Lee Duckworth

I am tickled pink to do this MDNA profile for two reasons. First, I love this TED talk. Second, Angela Lee Duckworth, MacArthur Foundation “genius” award winner and research psychologist is a true SSA (Sacrificial Service & Authority).

If you do nothing else, watch Duckworth’s TED talk on grit and the key to success. 

At first, Duckworth may appear to be a KWR (Knowledgeable Wisdom and Responsibility) because of her involvement in research and academics. And most likely, she is a secondary KWR because of her profession. But upon closer examination, especially her youth and now growing influence, you will see she is a very special SSA.

The SSA lives to build a platform of success under people. In Duckworth’s case it is children, particularly vulnerable children. The SSA’s core competence is Leadership Platforms. Duckworth’s research is challenging the world on how we develop success in the education system through grit and self-control. She is also known for helping her own undergrad student become leaders in their own rights by helping them publish and challenging everybody who works with her to achieve a high degree of achievement.

Her childhood and youth also gives us clues to being an SSA. She was constantly volunteering, even to the point of being detrimental to her own health. She was always willing to sacrifice and serve others. Her energy is unending, which is also another SSA trait.

In developing a leadership platform, the SSA must also understand that pain and stress are keys to personal development. An SSA can fall into the trap of enabling others by taking filling needs before others can do it themselves and grow through the challenge. Not Duckworth. She and her husband have a instituted something called the “Hard Thing Rule.” Everyone in the family must choose and be doing one hard thing.

As Duckworth puts it:

“I believe kids should choose what they want to do, because it’s their life, but they have to choose something, and they can’t quit in the middle unless there’s a really good reason. There are going to be peaks and valleys. You don’t want to let kids quit during a valley.”

Beyond all of the above, one of the most telling traits of the SSA, is their authority as leaders themselves–even though they abhor the social spotlight. This is Duckworth to a tee. She prefers to stay in the background, literally disdains the attention and is described as a “reluctant star.” When an SSA has achieved professional success and personal fulfillment, they are granted great degrees of authority because they would never use this influence and power for themselves (think Mother Teresa).

Duckworth known as an “Academic who is a CEO.” A quintessential SSA/KWR if I ever did see one.

Consider me a fan of Duckworth and any other SSA willing to sacrifice, serve and use their authority to selflessly help others succeed.

For the full picture of Angela Lee Duckworth as an SSA/KWR, read it here.

Please note that these are unofficial profiles only and have not been verified. Description is only based upon public information and may represent either primary or secondary MDNA gifts. This profile is intended for educational purposes only to demonstrate the possibilities of MDNA for those that have been personally assessed.

 

SSA Celebrity: Alfred Pennyworth (from Batman)

If you have watched the latest Batman movies starring Christian Bale, Alfred Pennyworth (simply referred to as “Alfred”) was played by Sir Michael Caine.

Alfred serves as Batman/Bruce Wayne’s tireless valet, assistant, butler, confidant, and surrogate father figure. He has sometimes been called “Batman’s batman.” Alfred also provides comic relief, as his sometimes sarcastic and cynical attitude often adds humor to dialogue occurring between himself and Batman. Alfred is a vital part of the Batman mythos, and appears in most other media adaptations of the character.

Even though Alfred is a fictional character, he is the classic SSA that every leader needs. There are some key SSA traits that make Alfred a wonderful representation of humble men and women of service that should be embraced and emulated in our own lives.

Even though Alfred’s job description is that of a stereotypical butler, his leadership and passion for building a platform of success under Bruce Wayne is anything but typical. Alfred manages the entire Wayne operations and operates at the highest level of trust. You will never find an ulterior motive with the true SSA. They exist to sacrifice, serve and make others great. This is what makes them heroic in their own right to be entrusted with the highest levels of authority in their own right.

Leaders are not always easy to love and support. The closer you are to any great leader, the more flaws you see. These flaws can either be exploited or protected. But just like every Batman needs an Alfred, so do other great, yet flawed, leaders in our society need the SSA. And just like Alfred, every SSA must learn to be secure in their calling. They may not share the spotlight, but they share the honor and fulfillment on the deepest level.

Bruce Wayne: No, Alfred, it’s my father’s house.

Alfred: Your father is dead, Master Wayne.

Bruce Wayne: And this place is a mausoleum. If I have my way, I’ll pull the damn thing down brick by brick.

Alfred: This house, Master Wayne, has sheltered six generations of your family.

Bruce Wayne: Why do you give a damn, Alfred? It’s not your family.

Alfred: I give a damn, because a good man once made me responsible for what was most precious to him in the whole world.

Bruce Wayne: Should I just bury the past out there with my parents, Alfred?

Alfred: I wouldn’t presume to tell you what to do with your past, sir. Just know that there are those of us who care about what you do with your future.

Bruce Wayne: Haven’t given up on me yet?

Alfred: Never.

Fictional characters also can have MDNA profiles. Typically every great character is based upon somebody in real life, except the persona and core traits are amplified. This makes learning the principles of their MDNA profile much easier and a valuable exercise. Not to mention it can be fun and entertaining.

Please note that these are unofficial profiles only and have not been verified. Description is only based upon public information and may represent either primary or secondary MDNA profiles. This profile is intended for educational purposes only to demonstrate the possibilities of MDNA for those that have been personally assessed.

SSA Celebrity: Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa (1910 – 1997) founded the Missionaries of Charity, which in 2012 consisted of over 4,500 sisters and is active in 133 countries. Their vow is to give “Wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor”. In 1979 Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1999, a poll of Americans ranked her first in Gallup’s List of Most Widely Admired People of the 20th Century.

We have assessed Mother Teresa as an SSA for her primary MDNA Profile. To us, she is the most famous SSA in modern history.

It would be very easy to see Mother Teresa as a primary IAF (Intuitive Alignment & fulfillment) because of her merciful compassion. However, upon close examination on not what she did, but why and how she made a difference, the SSA becomes very apparent.

One core trait that stands out the most for the SSA is what can be described as being “without guile.” The definition of guile is to be treacherous, cunning, skillful and deceitful. The SSA couldn’t be any more opposite. There are absolutely no ulterior motives or secondary agendas for the SSA—especially when meeting the tangible and practical needs of others. This is one of the outstanding qualities of Mother Teresa.

“We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa

According to Wikipedia, Mother Teresa has been described as having virtually no understanding of a cynical or godless point of view that could consider any human being less than absolutely valuable. Others have been especially struck by Mother Teresa’s lack of rage or indignation. She refused to become a “social critic.” She never attacked the economic or political structures of the cultures that were producing the abjectly poor people she was serving. For her, the primary rule was a constant love, despite social critics or religious reformers choosing to vent anger at the evils of structures underlying poverty and suffering. Mother Teresa always continued to strike an apolitical pose, refusing to take a stand on anything other than strictly religious matters. Again, these are all quintessential qualities of the SSA that prefers to simply serve without guile.

The SSA also prefers to avoid the social spotlight. To the SSA, building platforms of success as servant leaders is far more important. The sheer number of other servant leaders that joined Mother Teresa’s mission is a perfect expression of this. Another was in 1979, when Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  True to the SSA, she refused the conventional ceremonial banquet given to laureates, and asked that the $192,000 funds be given to the poor in India, stating that earthly rewards were important only if they helped her help the world’s needy. Through her sacrificial serving, she became an authority that the world recognized and followed.

As always, we point out that the true SSA is very difficult to find in today’s popular media because they are the unsung heroes of our world. Thankfully, Mother Teresa is celebrated as an inspiration to us all for how the SSA can truly make a difference.

Will the world ever know another Mother Teresa? Maybe not in the media, but servant leaders like her are all around us. If you are one of these SSA’s, we recognize and thank you.

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it.” – Mother Teresa

Please note that these are unofficial profiles only and have not been verified. Description is only based upon public information and may represent either primary or secondary MDNA profiles. This profile is intended for educational purposes only to demonstrate the possibilities of MDNA for those that have been personally assessed.

SSA Celebrity: Herb Kelleher

The SSA profile is very hard to find in popular culture—mainly because the SSA prefers to be behind-the-scenes building platforms of success for others. In fact, the SSA will often avoid the spotlight at all costs.

However, the SSA is actually designed for a servant leadership role. This profile is designed for positions of authority even though it may not be their natural preference. Herb Kelleher is the perfect example of the SSA as servant leader.

Kelleher is the co-founder of Southwest Airlines and was its president, CEO and chairman from 1982 to 2001. He is famous for leading the airline company to 30 consecutive years of profitability and producing the highest return to shareholders of any company in the S&P 500 during his tenure.

As an SSA, Kelleher’s management style says it all. When an SSA imprints their social DNA into an organization, the entire culture becomes about building platforms of success for everybody. Like Kelleher, Southwest Airlines had a reputation for hard work and high spirits. The company was voted Fortune magazine’s Best Place to Work in America in 1998 and was consistently ranked among the top 10 most-admired companies in the nation. Historically, the airline is among the most generous in terms of compensation and benefits. In 1974 Southwest became the first airline to offer a profit-sharing plan.

Every SSA is known for their willingness to sacrifice and serve others in tangible ways. At Southwest Airlines Pilots helped clean up cabins, ramp workers sold tickets, and Kelleher himself spent time loading baggage, ticketing customers, and mixing drinks on board. Statistically, Southwest employees work longer and harder than employees at any other airline. Southwest employees always went the extra mile. Stories include an employee stopping to help a stranded traveler change his tire, flight attendants visiting passengers in the hospital, and a reservation agent driving an 85-year-old woman 20 miles between airports so that she could make her connection.

Southwest union leader Tom Burnett once told the Wall Street Journal, “Lemme put it this way: how many CEOs do you know who come in to the cleaners’ break room at 3 a.m. on a Sunday passing out doughnuts or putting on a pair of coveralls to clean a plane?” (October 26, 1992).

Please note that these are unofficial profiles only and have not been verified. Description is only based upon public information and may represent either primary or secondary MDNA profiles. This profile is intended for educational purposes only to demonstrate the possibilities of MDNA for those that have been personally assessed.