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Articles by Sara Hope
Human before leader: Rethinking leadership for a new world of work
The landscape of leading and managing in organisations today seems to be shifting at an ever more rapid pace. Political changes and economic fluctuations have pushed us into an even more volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) time. Add artificial intelligence (AI) into the mix and it can feel as though we will never catch up with ourselves.
The Fine Art of Conversation
Let's talk about how to improve your communication and conversational skills. Having conversations sounds simple. It's something everyone does every day. You talk with friends, colleagues, and clients—yet conversing is something most people pay far too little attention to, especially when they are at work.
A little bit of Hope
My visit with Buford Jennings and Frances Hart Walter Buford Jennings Jr. was born in Champ, Tennessee on Oct 15, 1936. He was born at home to Walter Buford Jennings Sr. and Flossie Riddle Jennings, who was from the Lois Community. Buford was raised on the family farm on the Lincoln County/Moore County line. He attended a one-room schoolhouse, for his 1st to 3rd grade. He said, “Every morning, a student had to retrieve water from a pump at the bottom of the hill.
Embracing discomfort in difficult work conversations
Bridging the gap in difficult conversations is tough. Here Sara Hope and Emily Cosgrove offer ways to make it a little less painful Difficult conversations are a part of being human. This remains as true in work as it does outside. The challenges we all face as we navigate our way through life can be seriously tough.
The power of reciprocal mentoring
Emily Cosgrove and Sara Hope on deepening trust and belonging through reverse mentoring Editor’s note: This article was first published by TJ in December 2021 To do our best work, we all need to feel included and valued. And to retain and grow our talent, this is just as true. If we don’t feel included and valued, why would we stay?
Teachers ‘should support drag queen story time to boost inclusivity in schools’
A motion passed at the conference said initiatives, like drag queen story time, and inviting LGBT+ authors into schools can “help challenge the heteronormative culture and curriculum” in education. It comes after a far-right protest was held outside Tate Britain in February, where a drag queen storytelling event was being held for children. The motion called on the union’s executive to publicly support initiatives like drag queen story time, “to develop a more inclusive atmosphere in schools”.
A little bit of HOPE- A visit with Bertha Baker
If you ever want to visit with a true blue Moore County girl, Bertha May Rainey Baker is the girl to talk to. She was born at home in 1936 to mother Maggie and father, Crawford Rainey. She was 2nd in line of five siblings, and their home was a little house that sat at the top of the hill behind Jack Daniel’s Distillery. She said that growing up in Lynchburg was wonderful. “We did not have a t.v., but we had a radio. We played outside all day long,” Mrs. Baker said.
A little bit of HOPE: A visit with The McGowan Twins
As I sat down at the kitchen table and we started the interview, I learned quickly that I was sitting in front of two fine, Southern gentlemen. They were so in tuned with each other that it was like having a conversation with one person. They never interrupted each other, but they could finish each other’s sentences. It was like magic and I couldn't stop smiling at them. They were born on August 1, 1934, in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Their given names are J.B. & L.B. McGowan.
A little bit of HOPE-Frontier Day memories
Since 1965 Lynchburg has been celebrating Frontier Days. I know my family has some special memories of celebrations in the past. It was a simple time and so much fun for the whole community. It was like a family reunion and everyone enjoyed seeing folks they hadn't seen since the last Frontier Days. It was a time to let the kids be free and so many joined in to make memories happen for the young and old alike.
A little bit of HOPE- A Visit with Danny Bobo
Danny and Sharon Bobo's story reads like the lyrics of a 1960 song on a jukebox. They were both born in 1956, only a few weeks difference in their ages. They were raised in the smallest county in Tennessee in the place we all call home, Lynchburg. Danny was born at the Fayetteville hospital but said, “I have been a Moore Countian all my life”. His folks ran a grocery store on the Lynchburg Square and Sharon's folks moved to Tennessee from Wisconsin when she was a baby. She was #6 of 8 children.
A visit with The Christmas Queen and her Prince, Glenda & Phil Gatto By Sara Hope They welcomed me into their beautiful home. I wanted to interview Phil and Glenda, because even if you have known someone for years, you might not know their whole story. Most everyone knows Phil, through his writings for the Moore County News. They have come to know Glenda as the “Christmas Queen” because of an article he wrote about her, years ago. Here is just a little more of their story.
The power of reciprocal mentoring
To do our best work, we all need to feel included and valued. And to retain and grow our talent, this is just as true. If we don’t feel included and valued, why would we stay? Turning up to work in an environment where our colleagues are interested in who we are, the real person that lies beneath the masks we may wear, transforms our experience from the mundane into something that can be deeply meaningful, and purpose driven. We want to trust our leaders and institutions.
Lynchburg, Moore County High School Raiders, Tennessee, Christmas, Tims Ford State Park, Lake, Motlow Bucks, Jack Daniels, Sign Dept.
A little bit of HOPE By Sara Hope The rest of the story….. If you are a Baby Boomer, born from 1946 to 1964, during post–World War II, this article might touch your heart, like it did mine.
Lynchburg, Moore County High School Raiders, Tennessee, Christmas, Tims Ford State Park, Lake, Motlow Bucks, Jack Daniels, Sign Dept.
A Little bit of HOPE by Sara Hope A Visit with Meredith Burton She was supposed to be a Halloween baby, but being the *Firecracker* she is, Meredith Leigh Burton, made her debut on July 4, 1983. She weighed just under 2 pounds. With the help of Vanderbilt hospital, the care and devotion of her parents, Jim & Carol Burton, and most of all, God’s plans, Meredith Burton came home to Lynchburg, after 108 days in the hospital. From that moment on, she has been one of Lynchburg’s Sweethearts.
Lynchburg, Moore County High School Raiders, Tennessee, Christmas, Tims Ford State Park, Lake, Motlow Bucks, Jack Daniels, Sign Dept.
A visit with Missy Woodard By Sara Hope Missy was born at the Lincoln County Hospital in 1962. As soon as her folks, Sutton and Jean Woodard, could get her back across the County line, they brought their little Lynchburg girl back to the family farm on Goose branch Rd. The Matlock/Woodard family roots run deep on Goose branch Rd. There have been six generations on that farm. Missy said, “I have lived there all my life.” Missy attended Lynchburg Elementary and Moore County High School.
Lynchburg, Moore County High School Raiders, Tennessee, Christmas, Tims Ford State Park, Lake, Motlow Bucks, Jack Daniels, Sign Dept.
A Visit with Dorothy Eady By Sara Hope “Life is what happens when you are making plans.” I have used that phrase on numerous occasions when things didn’t go as I hoped they would. Last week, life happened to me. When I started writing these weekly articles, I had several folks in mind that I wanted to interview. Wednesday of last week was a busy day. On my “things to do” list, I had a note to call Mr. Claude & Miss Dorothy Eady, to ask if I could interview them for a “Hope” article.
Lynchburg, Moore County High School Raiders, Tennessee, Christmas, Tims Ford State Park, Lake, Motlow Bucks, Jack Daniels, Sign Dept.
A Visit with Claytie Cook By Sara Hope She was born on Sept. 11, 1929, to Joe & Kathleen Rosborough, in Deason, Tennessee. She had two older sisters, Eleanor & Jean. The family lost their dairy farm in the Depression and moved to Pleasant Grove. Her first teacher was Ruth Waggoner, who taught at a one-room schoolhouse in Charity. She said, “Miss Ruth would come by each morning and take her to school.” She completed 1 &2nd grade at Pleasant Grove.
Lynchburg, Moore County High School Raiders, Tennessee, Christmas, Tims Ford State Park, Lake, Motlow Bucks, Jack Daniels, Sign Dept.
My visit with Dorris Preston Tucker By Sara Hope I drove through the beautiful green hills, between Lynchburg and Flat Creek, and I was looking forward to my visit with Mrs. Tucker. She welcomed me into her beautiful home like I was kinfolk. I knew we were going to have a sweet visit. She told me her given name was Dorris Preston Tucker, she said with a grin, “With 2 R’s, my Momma put 2 R’s in my name.” “I was born at Tucker’s Creek in Lincoln County, on Sept 3, 1921.
Lynchburg, Moore County High School Raiders, Tennessee, Christmas, Tims Ford State Park, Lake, Motlow Bucks, Jack Daniels, Sign Dept.
By Sara Hope You have probably seen them on some of their morning walks around Lynchburg, the tall handsome gentleman with the petite pretty lady by his side. Whenever I see them I always think, “I want to be like them when I grow up.” Dudley and Ann Tipps welcomed me into their pretty little house and I admired pictures of their family, framed and displayed down the hallway.
Lynchburg, Moore County High School Raiders, Tennessee, Christmas, Tims Ford State Park, Lake, Motlow Bucks, Jack Daniels, Sign Dept.
A visit with “Miss” Marie Bobo By Sara Hope She welcomed me into her pretty little house, and I was eager to hear her story. She was born in Bagley Hollow 8th District of Moore County on June 11, 1926. She was named for her Grand Mother, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Womble. Her given name is Marie Elizabeth Petty. I have always called her, “Miss” Marie, along with most everyone else here in Lynchburg. She was the middle of three girls. They were 2 years apart.
Lynchburg, Moore County High School Raiders, Tennessee, Christmas, Tims Ford State Park, Lake, Motlow Bucks, Jack Daniels, Sign Dept.
By Sara Hope A Visit with Harlan Sanders I recently sat down with Harlan Sanders. It is safe to say he is the epitome of a “Home Town” boy. The roots of his family tree run deep in Moore County/ Lynchburg, Tennessee. To mention a few names of his family line is like reading off the who’s who of Lynchburg society. Huffman, Simpson, Sanders, Motlow, Bobo, Daniel, Tosh, and Wagoner (with 1 g), and so many more. The walls of his house on Lynchburg Highway are covered with pictures of Moore County people.
#TJtalks: Sara Hope on honest communication in the workplace
In this 15-minute video chat, Jo Cook interviews Sara Hope about the importance of showing empathy and care in workplace conversations (recorded pre-Covid). Sara talks about the risks of becoming polarised in conversations and why we need to bring more humanity into how we talk to each other. Amongst other things, they explore how to create the space for people to connect in a more human way in meetings, the impact of language, and how the quality of conversation impacts workplace relationships.
Talking The Talk #14
In our February issue of ‘Talking The Talk’ we share news about our Conversational Wisdom® videos, how to disagree productively, and Google’s 5-step formula for team success. You can read it and subscribe here.
Conversation: The heart of post Covid-19 change
It is said that it can take somewhere around 66 days for a new behaviour to become a habit. Since the beginning of lockdown, we have connected with our families, colleagues, customers, and clients in different ways. We may have learnt how to work from home. We may have learnt new digital skills. We may also have become more aware of the needs of those closest to us. Our families, our neighbours, our communities. We have formed new habits.
Am I disconnecting from connection?
We are delighted to share this piece from our colleague and friend at Water Aid, Sarah Spencer. Thank you for being so honest and we’re sure many of our readers will be able to relate to your sentiments! I’m tired. Scratch that, I feel exhausted! Since we went into lockdown I have felt a creeping sense of always being ‘on’ and available when family, friends, colleagues and even people I haven’t spoken to in years want me to be. It’s tiring me out, but it sounds counter-intuitive right?
Programmatic Summit 2016
Posted By Sara Hope, Tuesday, November 15, 2016 Thank you IAB and our attendees, vendors, and sponsors for making the Third Annual Programmatic Summit on Nov. 14 a huge success. More than 400 brand marketers, media buyers, online publishers, ad networks, ad exchanges, and other solution providers participated in candid conversations surrounding emerging programmatic channels, data-driven creative, cross-channel attribution, and more.
The benefits of face to face interactions – less virtual, more physical - ConversationSpace
Read our insights and top tips for engaging face-to-face communication in AAT, written by Georgina Fuller. Those of us who were born before 1981, dubbed ‘digital immigrants’ remember a time when there was no Google or mobiles and you had to pick up the phone or arrange to meet someone in person. It’s probably fair to say that digital natives (loosely categorised as those born after 1981), on the other hand, are more au fait with texting than talking and virtual meetings rather than physical ones.
Mental Health Awareness Week: Being human and wellbeing conversations
Reading time: 3m 30s. It can be easy to forget that when we turn up for work and put on our professional hat, or even mask, that we are still part of the human race with all the joys and the challenges that involves. We are social beings and are hardwired to connect with others. This does not disappear at work. Being human means recognising that we all have our own unique and different experiences, are from different backgrounds and come with all the complexity that that brings.
Mental Health Awareness Week: Three practical tips to support employees to have a different conversation around mental health
Reading time: 3 minutes. We all have physical health and we all have mental health, but so often we find it easier to talk about our physical health compared with our mental health. Recent research from Accenture highlights how more employees are willing to speak about their own mental health at work, but only one in five (20%) report an improvement in workplace training to help manage their own mental health or to help them support colleagues dealing with mental health challenges (19%).
Mental Health Awareness Week: The role of Conversational Wisdom in helping people talk about their feelings
Reading time: 3 minutes. Conversations are how we connect. At work. At home. With friends. With colleagues. With clients. They are the golden thread that can either work for us or against us. They can lead to trust or distrust. Make us feel threatened or safe. They are the lifeblood of organisations. What we know is that people are now craving a different kind of conversation.
From TJ Magazine: Let's talk
Reading time: 3m 30s. American business magnate Warren Buffett continues to share his wisdom at the age of 88. While much of it is focused on investment, one particular quote caught the attention of Marcel Schwantes, writer for Inc. magazine: “The best way you can improve yourself is to learn to communicate better.
We're only human after all...
The pillars of Conversational Wisdom® - being human, aware and skilled - feel like they're something we just innately do as leaders. Of course we're human! How can we not be?! But how often do we fall into the trap of trite management mantras, and how we think a person in leadership should behave?
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