Tribute to Geraldine Ferraro, businesswoman

Ed. Note: Geraldine Ferraro, the Democratic Party nominee for Vice President in 1984 and the first woman to appear on the Presidential ballot for a major political party, died in March 2011 at the age of 75. When not holding public office or running for a political seat she had a thriving set of involvements in the business world, including serving as a corporate board member. CEO and board adviser Dr. Dee Soder worked closely with Ferraro and provides the following tribute to her leadership talents.

Gerry Ferraro was a political trailblazer, but many people don't know she was also a very savvy business executive, board director, and a great coach. For several years she worked with me and others at the CEO Perspective Group advising several star executives and directors — helping them to go on to even more success. Politics, however, was her passion, and she left our firm to run against Chuck Schumer in the 1998 Senate primary race.  When I approached Gerry to join us, coaching was still a new concept, and I expected her to say no. Initially, she did — saying she wasn't qualified. Plus she didn't want to be  a figurehead but to “make a difference.” And she did. Whether she was talking to a room full ofcorporate directors or to a chief executive, her advice was practical, insightful and long lasting. Indeed, I often incorporate it into my coaching. Some of her wisdom follows:

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