Welcome

September 26th, 2022

Welcome to my blog, and to this small corner of the universe where I hope each visitor can find a spark or an idea that resonates. As I sit here today in Geneva, Switzerland, we are heading into the fall season and the world at times, feels like it is falling apart at the seams in a slow motion collapse. I imagine we all have felt deep discomfort in some way over the past three years, with many questioning their place in the world, or whether or not the things they took for granted in their job, or identity still hold true. The thing with enormous stress and change is that these act as refining fires that bring the "dross" to the surface. Things we could manage to hide or ignore become ever widening cracks that demand attention. With great pressure comes the evolution of ourselves and our expectations.

While the world unravels in so many ways from political power dynamics, to the economy, my heart longed to focus on something different all-together. I wanted this website and blog to be a mini ecosystem-in-the-making where unique leadership styles, cultures and character can be discovered and explored. To look into what drives the best in human beings where they shine most - in how we interact with one another globally, to build ideas and projects that create meaningful change.

The world today leans heavily on fame, power, wealth, and illusion. I am interested in what fuels integrity, commitment, service, kindness, vision, loyalty, fairness, and joy. What makes people a delight to work with or to lead or be lead by. I am interested as a third-culture-kid to examine multi cultural ways of managing and getting along in society and how, we can gain deep understanding through active observation and lived experience.

I hope through visiting from time to time, you will find portraits of people from around the world and different thematic areas that I have had the privilege to work within, from technology, science, finance, religion philosophy and history, to situations and environments from Japan to Latin America and Africa which reveal vastly different ways of living, working and communicating. This is a space for reflection to find ways forward together versus being stymied constantly by the immovable barriers we are faced with daily in our world. The word Lacun or Lacuna, defines a gap or something missing - the gaps of understanding and growth that emerge from all of us hunting with curiosity for the missing parts even when uncomfortable or painful. I believe the identification of these gaps are what drives discovery both personal and communal.

May we never stop searching with curiosity, looking beyond the boundaries of self, and may we never lose site of the Hope that makes the short time we are here on earth worth living. Welcome.

Shannon Shibata-Germanos