Dean Crowe, Founder and CEO of Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“I keep coming back to this photo. It makes me smile for so many reasons.
Several years ago, Rally Kids Ethan, Gideon, Kal and I spent the 4th of July together at a doughnut-eating contest. How much more American can you get?
It was simple, joyful and quintessentially American. Looking at this picture today, I do not just see two boys having fun. I see two children who had already overcome more than most adults ever will, yet still found every reason to laugh, celebrate and simply be kids.
Their resilience makes me think about our country and that this weekend we will be celebrating our 250th birthday.
Sometimes it feels as though we are more divided than ever. But when I think about our nation’s founding, I am reminded that disagreement was there from the beginning. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams had profound differences, yet both helped build something greater than themselves.
One of my favorite books is ‘Washington: The Indispensable Man’ by James Flexner. One lesson that has stayed with me over the years is Flexner’s portrayal of George Washington’s ability to look beyond controversy, find common ground and pursue productive compromise.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned at Harvard Business School Executive Education is that compromise is not weakness. At its best, it is how people with different perspectives build something stronger together.
As you celebrate this weekend with family and friends, my hope is that we all look beyond controversy, seek common ground and choose productive compromise.
Ethan, Gideon and Kal remind me that even after incredible hardship, joy is still possible. If they can teach us anything, it is that hope is stronger than division.
Happy Birthday, America. I am grateful to call this country home. USA!”
Dean Crowe/LinkedIn
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