“She Never Broke a Promise”

Abstract The author, Leader to Leader editor‐in‐chief Sarah McArthur, worked closely with the publication's founder, Frances Hesselbein, in the final years of Frances’ 107‐year life. She notes that Frances, asked by Peter Drucker about what she would choose to put on her epitaph, responded: “She never broke a promise.” Peter then responded with a different epitaph: “She kept the faith.” While the responses are different, McArthur contends, “both of them are right. Frances was absolutely committed and steadfast.” No matter what happened in her life, according to McArthur, Frances stayed true to “her ‘true North’ of treating all people with respect to serve and lead toward a bright future for all. In other words, she kept the faith.” In regard to applying Drucker's idea of the epitaph exercise, McArthur writes that “their purpose is to commemorate a person in just a few words or perhaps a sentence to be inscribed on a plaque, tombstone, or resting place. The words are meant to summarize one's accomplishments, character, or life.” She provides four questions as prompts for completing the exercise, each building on the earlier question. It reflects “how we choose to live every day, in every decision, under every condition.”