First published in the October & November 2017 edition of Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce BusinessVIEW magazine.
Monica Kreuger is the founder, President and Chief Visionary Officer of Global Infobrokers Inc., a firm dedicated to education, entrepreneurship, the environment and global citizenry and all within a socially responsible framework. The company has assisted over 800 entrepreneurs launch their companies in Saskatchewan and Alberta through their post secondary institute, the Praxis School of Entrepreneurship.
Monica is an active volunteer board member: Director on the Saskatchewan Chamber board; Director on the Cooperatives First Board; Director on the Canadian Common Equity Crowdfunding Corporation; and Past President of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce and has completed the ICD training for non-profit boards.
My relationship with Monica Kreuger developed early in my professional career when I joined Business and Professional Women of Saskatoon. Monica had a way of connecting, recruiting and including others in community building.
Her drive to make things happen is contagious and I am grateful for the informal mentoring relationship that developed over shared passion for fostering entrepreneurship and community building.
As I was reflecting on my relationship with Monica over the last 15+ years, three insights came to mind that I learned from her. I share these in the hope that you can apply them to your own life and business.
1. Every experience is valuable. I went to Monica during a challenging time in business and she shared a metaphor I wasn’t familiar with at the time, about the Tapestry of Life. Sometimes we focus on the back of the tapestry (yes, we all do) which looks messy, tangled, frayed and may not seem connected at all. However, when you turn it over you see the complexity and magnificence of what you are creating. Every thread of experience, whether good or bad, is necessary for your tapestry of life. Now when I have those challenging experiences and the voice in my head sarcastically shouts, “I am not sure what lesson I am to learn from THIS!” – I remember the tapestry and ride it out…not quite as smooth as a magic carpet ride, but easier than being tangled in a mess of thread.
2. Pass the torch. Monica has been a great example over the years of getting a project off the ground and then stepping aside for others to lead once the momentum has started. I have seen her do this many times in our business community. One in particular that had a significant personal impact was when Monica and Marion Ghiglione brought the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award to Saskatoon. I was honoured to become the first Saskatoon recipient in 2009, and the experiences and opportunities that followed led to me becoming the Chair of the ATHENA Leadership Awards® after Monica passed the torch.
I learned a great deal from my experience as Chair and knew when it was time to pass the torch (hint: before you run out of gas!) and Jocelyn Davey-Hawreluik successfully took it to a new level. In fact, BPW Saskatoon has launched the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award for the upcoming 2017 Be Bold for Change – ATHENA® Leadership Awards and Symposium! Awesome!
3. Celebration fosters success. Monica has been the deserving and humble recipient of many community awards, such as the Raj Manek Above & Beyond Award in 2012. One of the many reasons she has been recognized is for her desire to bring about an attitude of celebrating success in Saskatchewan. Monica was able to foster success in her many leadership roles, such as Past President of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce and past Co-Chair of the SABEX Awards.
What I learned from her is that very few individuals or businesses seek recognition, but by nominating someone for an award, not only does it express your appreciation, it encourages and sustains them in their own pursuit of a bigger impact, which benefits the entire community. When you believe in an infinite pie, your piece doesn’t get smaller when you celebrate and contribute to others!
Stephen Covey states, “leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves”. Thank you to Monica Kreuger for your passionate leadership. Whether it’s Tapestries, Torches or Pies, we all win by contributing to others’ success!
Watch for next, “3 Insights I Learned from Betty-Ann Heggie”.
