Episode 57: Three Turns of an Executive Leader

Three Turns of an Executive Leader
Episode #57 of the Third Turn Podcast with Linda Milanowski-Westdorp

Our guest today is Linda Milanowski-Westdorp, who led a multi-faceted career through the ranks and various divisions of renowned Herman Miller (now MillerKnoll)—recognized as much for its leadership culture as for its ubiquitous Aeron chair.

Linda says she knew pretty early on that the intentional leadership development and opportunities she was experiencing at Herman Miller was not common nor as widely available—especially in smaller companies. And she had a clear sense that part of her personal mission would be to share what she was receiving, learning, and so appreciating with others.
So guess what she does today? A key focus of Linda’s own Third Turn is helping others develop their own leadership, specifically at two of the three key turns:

• Teaching in the leadership minor program at her alma mater, Hope College, as part of their Center for Leadership. The coursework centers on the student version of Jim Kouzes’ and Barry Posner’s “The Leadership Challenge”, which served as a foundational leadership development program for years at Herman Miller.
• Linda will also be facilitating an upcoming Maestro-level leader cohort in 2023, reflecting her commitment to helping leaders develop in their Third Turn of their leadership journey.

We also had a chance to learn here about Linda’s own leadership philosophy—one of the four key themes we navigate in the cohort experience. (Check out Episode 56 to hear Mark unpack these 4 themes in a thought-provoking way; or visit this blog post for a written outline and the why behind each.)

Thanks, Linda, for sharing your leadership philosophy and Third Turn focus with us; and for paying it forward to others in the Third Turn work you do.

Additional Resources:

• Jim Kouzes’ and Barry Posner’s “The Leadership Challenge”
• Linda also does organizational consulting within the community of practice known as Design Group International
  
  

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- Kristin Evenson

About The Third Turn Podcast & Maestro-level leaders:

With each episode of the Third Turn Podcast, we host a conversation among leaders who want the world to flourish for generations beyond their lifetimes.

Listening with others in some way and enjoying in-depth conversations of your own as you reflect and choose what you would do the same or differently is a plus!

We always welcome you sharing these podcasts with others as well as sending along any suggestions for making these podcasts better.

The Third Turn Podcast is part of the Maestro-level leaders initiative, a production of Design Group International. Strategically Connected's Jennifer Miller is the producer.