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Many of you know LO Alum Terry Poling, LOXIV. Terry is making a difference in our global community by accepting a position working with the Ethiopian Government for the next 6 months. Read Terry's letter to Chris about this exciting opporutnity: Chris, I have accepted an invitation to join an international consulting team in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the next six months. I leave this Friday (1/25) and complete my sojourn in late-July. All of this has happened very quickly. I was contacted about this opportunity in mid-December and just recently made my decision in partnership with my immediate family (more on this below). I will return to the US in early-May for a brief visit. Hopefully, I'll still be able to join you and the current L.O. class for a portion of the "Shaping The Future" session. With a team of approximately twenty consultants, I will be working with the Ethiopia Telecommunications Corporation (ETC), a state-owned monopoly, and the Ethiopian government, to develop "next-level" infrastructure for the organization. ETC has a very rich heritage and culture dating back to 1894. However, Ethiopian leaders have identified improvements in both the telecommunications and healthcare industries as being critical to positioning Ethiopia for increased global involvement and influence. Half of the consulting team has been on-the-ground in Africa for the past 12 months. I am part of the second wave. I will be involved in Organization Design, Workforce Management and Leader/Employee Development. Kathy, Trisha and Kristopher have been nothing less than inspirational with their love and support. They are very excited by this next step in our lives and are eager to visit me and travel Africa while I am there. While I've had to shift or postpone a few things in my own business while I'm away, the timing for this assignment is near perfect. I know that you, of all people, appreciate the fact that this journey is more than geography. For years, I have challenged leaders to "step outside their comfort zones". The kosmos has again reminded me that I need to "practice what I preach". I trust the next six months will be as much an internal developmental journey for me as what it will be an international excursion .... and I am grateful. (At some future date, I will tell you about all of the "coincidences" that have occured over the past two weeks confirming my decision to accept this assignment. For me, they are evidence that the universe will respond when we are open and ready to grow.) I plan to start a blog on my website soon as a way of keeping you informed of some of my experiences and learnings. Check out www.ThePolingGroup.com Until further notice, please use either of my email addresses at
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I also use Skype and would welcome conversations with you over the internet (despite an 8-hour time difference between Michigan and Ethiopia). I will be getting a new mobile phone when I arrive in Addis Ababa. I'll be posting my new contact information, once known. I trust that you will understand that I am not able to connect with you before I leave. I have so little time and SO MUCH to do! Best to you and everyone else at L.O.! Fondly, Terry Terry L. Poling THE POLING GROUP www.ThePolingGroup.com 248.656.9298 Accredited Associate of the Institute for Independent Business |
Featured Alumni 
Leadership Oakland is proud to share the good news about fellow alum Keith Cooley (LOIX) who was recently appointed by Governor Granholm as director of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG). Keith is leaving his position as CEO of Focus Hope to assume this role in early March. 
