Hello fellow multiple sclerosis warriors!
We all impact this world in a variety of ways but have you ever wondered if you could really change the world?
I think we all have asked ourselves this question at some point in our lives, I know I have. Look at how many people have really made big changes in the lives of others in the world. There have been many. I sure never thought that I would be changing the world for many people but here we are at MS Unites working to do exactly that. Inspired by others all of a sudden changing the world is something I feel I can do.
So here I am in a chat in Twitter about electronic health care where I bring some different insights to the table of the direct care providers and I see a tweet from the folks at the United Kingdom Multiple Sclerosis Society. I’ve watched the UK MS Society for months and have been absolutely amazed at their levels of advocacy towards people enduring MS. They in fact as well as entities such as The National Multiple Sclerosis Society here in the USA have been very inspirational personally to me. This tweet comes to me that says, “An Interview With Michelle Mitchell” who is the CEO of the UK Multiple Sclerosis Society. I rushed to read the article.
Now, I have read interviews with CEO’s before and perhaps many of you have. I have often wondered however what kind of person directs some of the finest people oriented operations on this planet. The dedication to helping others, not only finding solutions but making them happen. Needless to say in reading this article I was floored. I immediately asked if it would be ok if we shared the article with our readers. I think its important that people with multiple sclerosis see this. Within moments I have a reply back. I was fully expecting perhaps in a few days a response from some person at the UK MS Society I’d never heard of. That is not what happened. Michelle Mitchell tweeted back saying, “Yes No Problem. Thank you.”
So without further delay here is the article, I hope it inspires you because we can all make a difference. We can all change this world.
“I believe you can change the world in many ways” – An interview with Michelle Mitchell
Posted on 06 Jan 2016 at 3:54PM by Ruby Bayley-Pratt
I recently sat down with our Chief Executive, Michelle Mitchell OBE, to talk about what inspires her, leadership and what the future holds.
I think one of the reasons people join the charitable sector, and why I have done personally, is because they’re driven by a very clear sense of purpose and wanting to change the world for the better.
What I’ve tended to do is really follow the things I’m passionate about, purposeful about and interested in and have generally worked very hard to achieve the most I possibly can with great people. I’m certainly not someone who had a plan to be CEO.
On being CEO
I think it can be a very lonely role. I wake up and the second thing I think about after having fed my kids is the income we have to raise to make a positive change for people with MS. It doesn’t leave you. You’ve got to choose this kind of lifestyle and role with care and a true understanding of what you want from your own life, and the kind of trade-offs that come with giving such a huge part of yourself. Not just in terms of your time, but your energy and your focus.
To have the privilege to serve at this level is one you do wholeheartedly. You’ve got to be sure about who you are and take care of your own health; eating well, exercising, sleeping well, making time for family and friends. Ensuring you have well-being is really important.
Leading and learning
For me, being a leader is a combination of being very clear on how you want to go about changing the world, working really hard and inspiring and collaborating with people to make that vision a reality. It’s crucial we move away from hierarchy and status and lead through collaboration. I believe leadership exists at every level. I consistently learn from people of all ages and all experiences.
I know 95-year-olds who want to change the world. My six-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter have views about how they want to change the world. I’m inspired by that. We need to understand the strength of our organisation or our movement is in our people; our supporters, our volunteers, our staff and create a culture where they are inspired to give their best.
Inspired by people
The renewable energy you can get from people is incredible. It’s through the potential of people that you achieve massive social change and create things that you thought weren’t possible before.
I value people who have a purpose, have an opinion, who are willing to take risks, who are open to learning and ultimately, who work very, very hard. Usually these qualities are stronger indicators than people’s education, qualifications or years of working. In many instances, it’s people with that attitude that really go on to excel in organisations.
Looking forward
In terms of the future, I have a huge job to do now. I’ve got a contribution to make which is valuable and I’m really interested in what I’m doing. I’m here, I’m now, I’m committed and I imagine if I do go on to do something different in the future it will be because I feel I have a contribution to make elsewhere.
I very much live in the day to day, I don’t plan my life. I follow things which interest me, I regularly keep my skills up to date, I am in contact with many different communities of interest and that always keeps you fresh and engaged with change that’s happening. It’s about being interested in the world.
There isn’t an ultimate destination. Ask yourself, what’s the social change you want to affect? You can do that by going to your local school and helping kids read, running a football team, setting up a community café. How you change the world doesn’t always come through position. I believe you can change the world in many ways, big or small.
There you have it folks!
Now you understand why I was floored in reading this and wanted share it with all of you no matter where you are on this planet.
But that’s not the end of it!
The United Kingdom Multiple Sclerosis Society each year recognizes people who have made a difference in this world. Here they are making a difference in thousands of peoples lives in the United Kingdom and really, millions of lives across the planet as research and more they help fund through work and funds they raise impacts all of us with MS, me included yet they take the time to recognize others who have made a difference.
How awesome is that!
We encourage all our readers and site visitors if you are going to donate to a cause that affects millions of lives across this world… If you want to be an MS Warrior…
Support your country’s Multiple Sclerosis Society. These people do the work they do each and every day for all of us enduring multiple sclerosis across this big planet.
A BIG thank you to all the MS Societies from all of us at MSUnites
