What does it take for leaders to know when it’s time to step aside and let fresh talent take the reins? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick J. McGinnis sits down with Esther Dyson, founder of Wellville and seasoned angel investor, to explore the complex dynamics of leadership succession. Dyson shares her unique perspective on the importance of evolutionary change in leadership, the impact of aging leaders, and the role of boards in ensuring smooth transitions. From personal anecdotes to insights on angel investing and long-term community building, Dyson’s thoughtful approach provides a compelling case for fostering sustainable leadership and embracing new ideas.
Meet our guest:
Esther Dyson is finishing a decade of work on Wellville, the 10-year, five-community project she founded and funded in 2013. It operates in five small US communities (Clatsop County OR, Muskegon County MI, Lake County CA, North Hartford CT, Spartanburg SC), with advisors who help community members build their own sustainable organizations and weave their social fabric. She is now preparing to write her second book, “Don’t rent your (community’s) health from an absentee landlord.” Her first, “Release 2.0: A Design for Living in the Digital Age,” was an international best-seller in 1997.
With a background in journalism, finance, tech, health (vs. healthcare), Russia, policy, and (yes!) space travel, Dyson’s mission is to help people see what they thought they already knew. Her current focus is to get the public to understand the importance of investing in (vs. spending on) the United States’ most important asset: its next generation. She argues that the best way to reduce healthcare costs is to keep people healthy… Her most recent essay was published by The Information at https://www.theinformation.com/articles/dont-fuss-about-training-ais-train-our-kids.
She is currently on the boards of AvanleeCare, Charity Navigator, PressReader, ProofPilot, and The Commons Project. Her past board seats include 23andMe, The Electronic Frontier Foundation, The Sunlight Foundation, WPP Group, and Yandex. And oh yes: a Harvard BA in economics and a certificate of completion from the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Institute.
For media and speaking requests, and to suggest a guest for the show, please email letsconnect@patrickmcginnis.com.
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