Leading in Times of Challenge with Ambassador Kenneth Quinn
Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, President Emeritus of the World Food Prize, has seen his share of challenging times. Prior to his work at the World Food Prize, Ambassador Quinn had a 32-year career as a foreign service officer in the U.S. State Department, working as an American diplomat.
Ambassador Quinn's Leadership Tips
Ambassador Quinn discusses crisis management, as well as the importance of art, music and culture during crisis. In Cambodia, his family and other officials’ families were evacuated at one point. As conflict rose, there was talk of removing artwork in his residence to keep it safe. In that moment, the ambassador realized with great sadness how the removal would affect him. The artwork had become a friend to him. The messages and stories they conveyed lifted his spirits during times of immense stress. So much so, that he later lectured on the topic.
The Leading in Times of Change podcast is brought to you by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and hosted by Mike Jefferson. The podcast features community leaders from across Greater Des Moines (DSM). To listen to more Partnership podcasts, click here.