Conscious Accountability: Deepen Connections, Elevate Results

CHAPTER 5

Opening Up Engagement

When people go to work, they shouldn’t have to leave their hearts at home.

BETTY BENDER

Fred Rogers, the beloved children’s television personality, is an example of someone who deeply engaged not only his viewers but also the people with whom he worked and collaborated. His continuous message that he liked you “just the way you are,” and his reiteration of how important and special each and every person is in their own unique way created the sense that everyone could fully be themselves without fear of embarrassment.

Behind the scenes, Rogers’s leadership allowed for extraordinary creativity and innovation. He created a unique kind of programming that was very accessible to children yet tackled difficult personal ...