Oprah and Tim Cook: Two Master Leaders Working with Others to Turn Personal Crossroads or Career Setbacks into Life Skills for the Ages

This isn’t a sequel, but it might as well be now that the Oprah interview with Harry and Meghan has landed. The much-anticipated sit-down with them had its share of ‘ooh and ahh’ moments. Oprah is known to celebrate aha moments too, but those will come later as she reads the media tea leaves.

Then there’s the story of Malala Yousafzai who is now a college graduate and working her way into the biz world. She’s teamed-up with AppleTV+ and CEO Tim Cook in developing human-interest stories that bring hope and connects with hearts. Malala sees him as a mentor and he sees her as a walking miracle.

The Orpah interview attracted 17 million viewers. That’s just for starters as folks who missed it are likely to stream it. The ‘tea spills and bombshell kills’ from them has royal watchers gasping for air. But there’s a growing divide between those who think they were brave and those who think it was attention crave.

In Malala, Cook sees someone who has already created a shift in her home country. It’s the kind thing where “if people can see it then they can believe it even more.” That’s what Malala represents to girls in her recovery for near human tragedy. If was a kind of personal crossroads that she had to face head on.

With Harry and Meghan, it’s confusing if they left the Palace or the Palace left them. He gave up his military role and lost his royal title. She gave up her partnership with his many causes. But once folks get pass the Palace intrigue and tabloid drama, their life skills lessons for the ages include what they:  

  • Learn

How they got here isn’t just about what happened to them, but also what happened in them. For Harry it’s probably what he learned watching how his mother was treated when he was a child. For Malala it’s in how she found strength, courage and wisdom during recovery, even with the threat of further harm.  

  • Share

Meghan tried to dance a delicate balance in what she shared and how she dropped some nuggets. Those nuggets provided insight but might even bring some foresight for how she plans to make a difference from the experience. Sometimes what we share is invaluable, especially for others in the same boat.        

  • Plant

Everyone understands the idea of “you reap what you sow.” But the pain of loneliness that Meghan mentioned isn’t something she brought on herself. Nor were the multiple surgeries that Malala had to go through. They’re turning those personal crossroads and career setbacks into a bigger field of dreams.    

  • Sell

At the top of the interview, Oprah made clear that they weren’t getting paid for the ‘tell-all.’ But that’s not where the story ends. She asked Meghan how she plans to apply lessons learned to the company they formed. Her answer of “using the company to capture stories” wasn’t only a tell but also a sell.  

The total footage of the interview was three hours plus. They had to pare it down to around 80 minutes. There’s probably other stuff that didn’t make it to the highlight reel but might be important life lessons on how to heal. How they get there is as much about feelings of melancholy and not to sweat the technique.              

Tip: How we move past personal crossroads and career setbacks might mean handling feelings of melancholy and working through things but not sweat the small stuff.

Talkback: What was the most surprising bombshell from the Meghan & Harry interview?

Tracks: Nailah Blackman  – Melancholy – https://youtu.be/qsu1rYipDOU

Eric B & Rakim  – Don’t Sweat the Technique – https://youtu.be/6Y1Emb7Jyks

Malala Yousafzai Has Set Her Sights on Higher Office and Wider Reach

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Theme:–The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

Not this time! That could have been the headline when it was learned that Malala Yousafzai did not win the Nobel Peace Prize. The committee instead gave the award to a watchdog organization responsible for dismantling Syria’s chemical weapons. But Malala has set her sights on higher office and wider reach.

A year ago she was shot in the head at point-blank range riding home on the school bus. A Taliban assassin boarded and asked “Who is Malala?” She was rushed to the hospital and later flown to the U.K. for life-saving surgery. Malala is a living example of what India Arie called strength, courage and wisdom.

Her commitment to social change shows the strength of her resolve. At a young age she learned about the Taliban’s suppression of education. She began a campaign of learning in her Pakistani homeland. Even with death threats she rallied her cause to the point of receiving her country’s peace price.

Malala’s dream is to one day become Prime Minister of Pakistan. That seems like a tall order but she’s loaded with lots of courage. Some of this is learned from her father who by the time she was born had achieved his dream of opening his own school. Courage says go ahead and make your day and dreams.

Just imagine how she must have felt this summer celebrating her 16th birthday with a speech at the U.N? Her recovery has been described as miraculous. She recently had a chance to meet with President Obama where she advised a policy choice of “books over drones.” Now if that’s not wisdom then what is?

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The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

No no, not this time! Could’ve been the Taliban chime. Malala not winner of Nobel Peace Prize. Even though her acclaim’s on the rise. Going instead to a watchdog group. As they dismantle Syria’s weapon’s troupe. Something she continues to do is teach. Setting her sights on higher office, wider reach.

Year ago being shot in the head. At point-blank range could have been dead. Riding home on the school bus. Having fun not making a fuss. “Who is Malala?” assassin asks out loud. Fired three shots right by the crowd. Rushed to U.K. for life-saving surgery. Strength, courage and wisdom adding to her legacy.

Commitment to social change will not dissolve. Strength of character in her resolve. As a child saw Taliban’s education suppression. Took action with some grassroots inspiration. A campaign that moved many in her Pakistani homeland. Receiving country’s peace prize as a frontline brand.

She dreams one day to be Government leader. As Prime Minister she’d be the head reader. Yes, this seems like a tall order. But she’s got courage to run the border. Got passed down from her dad’s esteem. Who by her birth was running his own k-to-8 team. Courage says make your day and live your dream.

Imagine she was radiant like a peach. Spending her 16th b-day giving U.N. speech. Miraculous recovery from life-changing blow. Still pointing the way for how others might grow. Recently meeting with President Obama. Saying we choose “books over drones” drama. If that’s not wisdom then betta consider karma.

Tip: Upping your game takes strength, courage and wisdom in going from layoff, setback or ‘close call’ to standing tall.

Talkback: Was it a good thing that Malala did not win the Nobel Peace Prize this time around?