Page 136 - How We Lead Matters

Gratitude

When I was a child, my favorite book was titled The Glass Bottom Airplane.
In it, a child flew around the world in a specially equipped airplane in which
the world and its people could be viewed through the floor. I thrilled at all
the exotic places where the plane touched down. I truly don’t know if my life
has been the fulfillment of that dream or if my dream became my life fulfilled.
As I prepare to step out of my CEO role, I must confess that it feels as
if a love affair is ending. Beyond my husband and children, it has given me
the most rewarding opportunities to satisfy my lifelong yearnings.
To the Carlson executive team, I thank you for teaching me the bound-
less possibilities of “we.”
To all the employees of Carlson around the world, thank you for caring
for our customers and one another.
To our suppliers, thank you for enabling us to serve.
To our customers and partners, thank you for your loyalty and trust in us.
To my family, thank you for allowing me to lovingly steward our family
business from one generation to the next.
To my husband, Glen, I didn’t realize until I met you that The Glass
Bottom Airplane was missing something that made it all matter—a fun and
funny, brilliant and loving partner to share it.
I am convinced that it would not have mattered where my life work
might have taken me. In the end, I would arrive at the same conclusion: It is
all about relationships.

Marilyn Carlson Nelson 119