Hans Eric Hageman is a graduate of Princeton and Columbia University Law School, He has started and led organizations for underserved children in Harlem, NY, Kenya, and Lucknow, India. He is a recipient of the Robin Hood Foundation Heroes Award and the Essence Magazine Award. He is currently the executive director of the Tutwiler Community Education Center – a community and youth development organization located in the Mississippi Delta.His middle school and high school students learned the educational and healing power of nature on service trips to places like Nicaragua and Senegal, where they helped build a vegetable garden for AIDS patients.
His goal is to be “An Ancestor Worth Remembering.”
Trenches story: several years ago when he ‘d started independent MS. Brother & him raised $, got some $ from JFK jr. This pre-dated charter school. Challenges of running school from the ground up. 2400 homicides in NY. Community was at the epicenter of it. Didn’t allow drug dealing in front of school. There was a contract out on his life. Sat in the office late at night in tears. #1: police offered 24 hr protection. Hans got a carry permit for a weapon.
One evening, saw a white guy at door, community was mostly Hispanic & Black, he had a statue of St. Michael. There was then no drug dealing around the block. School still being run by his brother 31 years later. Didn’t find out who gave them the statue. Disappeared in a move.
Who or what were your most important teachers? His parents, who worked themselves to death in service to others. Mom, black woman from Chicago. Father-white man from NE. They gave ppl 2nd chance. His family lived in the residential drug treatment center. George Mitchell-5th grade teacher-demanded rigor from them. Joe De Angelo- English t & karate instructor he still has contact with. Dean of Princeton chapel Ernest- he spoke with him about S. African Apartheid govt. Another guy- Al Therry, former marine who supported him.
How can we achieve “Time Under Bliss™”? Carl Jung said “the world will ask who you are, if you don’t know, the world will tell you. Think about one’s life purpose and ask why you’re here. Be clear about it, in order to attain joy. Be clear about what’s most important to you. These underpin his work. SMART goals- you add more layers on, who will achieve that outcome-is it a desirable goal. Creating morning routines. Don’t just jump into day. Establish appropriate boundaries. Have balance in life. Boundaries-who’s around you? Who’s in your circle? Daily practice of mindfulness. He’s certified in mindfulness, works with staff, young ppl. 5 m. mobility routine. Get body out of hunched position. Fostering social connections. Sleep, nourishment, etc. Figuring out #1-do you have routines #2, are they serving you. WIN-what’s important now.
What does it mean to be a Heart-Centered Leader? The benefits of vulnerability and transparency in creating trust, building strong relationships, and fostering collaboration. Being compassionate, there are many connections going from the heart to the brain. Do you care about staff personally? Can you challenge when things aren’t going well? Message needs to be deliberate, not just assumed. You can make it a priority in a school- or start-up tech company.
How did a guy who grew up in Harlem, NY end up in the Mississippi Delta? He also works with senior citizens, not just youth. He’s a big believer in post-traumatic growth. He never thought he’d end up in Miss. in Feb 2002, someone knocked at his door. Delivery-his wife had filed for divorce. He asked himself “now what”? Made lemonade out of lemons. He asked universe & God about new steps. Was a finalist for a school in Co. Took a step back, Tutwiler Comm. Education Center was started by nuns- she found someone who got her able to walk. At age of 40-something this nun went to med school. Mayor of Tutwiler wrote back, got funding in 1992, nuns retired, he now runs it. has been there 4 months. Schools he works w/ are rated D-F. Poverty rate very low. Least educated populated. He works with young ppl who need to learn to dream. He wants the kids who leave to come back to the “Home of the Blues”. People are kind, curious. Has community veggie garden.
Empathy in Leadership: The importance of emotional intelligence in leading teams, driving success, and fostering a positive work environment. He wants to get everyone centered around a common vision. Being able to be candid while being caring. Ability to honor, respect, give ppl confidence their voice will be heard. Different decision-making models. Restorative circles. Give everyone a part -change to talk. Had to figure out what the outcome would be. Trust-big part of bigger vision. Common vocabulary.
Out of everything: His goal is to become an ancestor worth remembering. IT’s become that simple-it’s his north star- try it regardless of your age. Concept of being grounded in wisdom, self-mastery and love.
Where can ppl find you online? www.tutwilercommunityeducationcenter.org
This is my guide to finding your innate resilience after a setback. https://coachhans.ck.page https://facebook.com/hanshageman https://linkedin.com/in/hanshageman https://instagram.com/roninforlife https://twitter.com/hanshageman
View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4JkfkEsH7ZE
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