Generosity

lead graphicModule Topic: Leading with Impact: The Power of Generosity
Presenter: Barbara Fulton, Ph.D.
Date Offered: February 16, 2023
Location: Charlotte City Hall, Community Room

Module Description: One can “lead from any chair”, as Benjamin Zander says. Leadership isn’t just matter of title or training; it also involves a leader’s intention, perspective, and abilities to mentor and negotiate and partner. Generosity factors greatly into the impact a leader can have. We often limit the meaning of generosity to a transaction where something is given. Yet, generosity is an exchange and it impacts our operations, both within and between organizations. It is an important element in the best forms of collaboration. It is part of building sustainable organizations and communities. It is part of building the trust necessary for leaders to succeed long term. Recent research and writing provides surprising evidence and has moved the conversation about generosity to new levels of understanding and practical relevance. This session will provide an interactive and thought-provoking look at leadership and generosity, with practical tools for applying these concepts.

The Presenter: Barbara Fulton serves as the Executive Director of Eaton Community Health (ECH), a charitable nonprofit in Eaton County. She was born and raised in Charlotte, then received her advanced training at Western Michigan University, where she earned her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. (in Organizational Behavior Management.) She taught on the faculty at WMU in Kalamazoo, Michigan until 1983.
Barbara lived & worked in northern California from 1983 until 2005, serving in a variety of local and national leadership roles in business, nonprofits, health and in service to the public sector. Her experience includes frequent facilitation of executive boards, as well as leadership curriculum development. Barbara was active in community service in Sacramento, California, completing the Leadership Sacramento program and serving on committees for local chambers and business associations, as well as on the Boards of Directors for several community organizations.

Barbara returned to live in Charlotte in 2005, joining Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital in January 2006. She left to lead ECH in 2019 and also chairs the Eaton County Human Services Collaborative Council. Barbara has served on the Boards of Directors for Charlotte Area Networking for Development Opportunity (Can Do!), Friends of Charlotte Performing Arts Center, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, and the Mid-Michigan affiliate of Susan G Komen for the Cure.