Flora was never shy and never was afraid to ask why. She had strong opinions but wanted to hear alternative views, too. Most importantly, she wanted to see action after a thorough discussion and a decision had been reached. She didn’t like “talking for talks’ sake.”

She was a member of my Board of Directors when I first began my tenure here. At first, she seemed hard to please because she had such strong opinions. It seemed to me that Flora wasn’t shy about following her own course of action either.

The more I worked with her the more I found that she was eager and willing to listen to the viewpoints of other people, and to understand all sides to an issue. However, when she had an opposing argument, she felt compelled to make it and wasn’t easily deterred from her opinion.

She made us think our opinions through and make plain our arguments or viewpoints. She challenged us if we were unclear or our statements were incomplete, but I never knew her to leave the discussion table angry.

I appreciated her support when she felt I had made my case on an issue. She was an ally when a case was well made, but could be a thorn if the issue was still unclear or unsettled.

When our Board had made its decision on an issue, Flora wanted the decision put into action. Too many times in the past, she felt, group discussions had not resulted in actions to fix the problem. She wanted the group’s decision to be implemented by the one put in charge. She wasn’t shy about placing responsibility if the actions authorized were not implemented properly or fell short of expectations.

Usually, I was the one left in charge and knowing what Flora and the others expected, I was determined to succeed. She didn’t always say so, but I could tell she was proud when I accomplished the group’s goals or solved the issues discussed. I appreciated that, too.

We all need someone in our lives to challenge us and make sure we follow through with our responsibilities. Flora did that for me. I learned that people care about what happens after a decision is made and that the one put in charge is expected to act in good faith on behalf of the group. And, I learned I must completely think through my viewpoints in order to win over even the kindest of friends who could become the toughest of critics.

Flora was never shy and never was afraid to ask why, and I’m a better manager and group leader because of it.

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