Sarah McArthur is an accomplished editor, writer, and leadership thinker. She worked for over two decades alongside renowned executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, serving as managing editor on dozens of leadership books and co-authoring several works. Sarah was also mentored by the late Frances Hesselbein—one of the most influential leadership figures of the 20th century—becoming a close collaborator and friend. Today, Sarah continues to preserve and share Frances's legacy through writing, editing, and storytelling.
Shannon Huffman Polson is a former Apache helicopter pilot, corporate veteran, keynote speaker, and author of The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, and Leadership in the Most Male-Dominated Organization in the World. She is the founder of The Grit Institute, where she equips leaders to build resilience, lead with purpose, and navigate challenges with impact.
In this episode of The Grit Factor, Shannon welcomes Sarah McArthur for a heartfelt conversation about the extraordinary life and leadership of Frances Hesselbein, former CEO of the Girl Scouts and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Sarah shares her personal journey as Frances's mentee, collaborator, and friend, offering stories that illuminate Frances's unwavering humility, love, and commitment to service. Together, Shannon and Sarah explore what makes Frances's leadership so timeless and how her lessons can guide today's leaders through uncertainty, division, and change.
Summary
This episode is both a tribute and a toolkit for values-driven leadership. Listeners will hear:
Sarah's path to working with Marshall Goldsmith and later meeting Frances Hesselbein.
How Frances transformed the Girl Scouts into a thriving, values-centered movement.
The power of mentorship, storytelling, and consistency of character.
Lessons on resilience, integrity, and servant leadership that remain urgently relevant.
How Frances's legacy continues through Sarah's work, including books and a documentary film.
(00:00) Opening reflections on Frances Hesselbein's passing and the love she inspired.
(02:51) Sarah's early work with Marshall Goldsmith and first encounters with Frances's writings.
(05:54) The book Work Is Love Made Visible and Frances's profound influence.
(10:54) Frances's vision-driven leadership and transformative years at the Girl Scouts.
(17:16) The consistency of Frances's character across 107 years of life.
(21:42) Lessons from the "cookie incident" and transparency in leadership.
(25:08) Frances's "invisible tattoos" and storytelling as a teaching tool.
(29:33) Sarah's decision to ask Frances to be her mentor.
(33:56) Living and learning alongside Frances during her later years.
(41:34) How Frances commanded respect and credibility across sectors.
(44:35) Frances's timeless advice for today: We will get through this together.
(47:27) Meeting Peter Drucker and forming a lifelong leadership partnership.
(50:50) Three words to capture Frances's legacy: humility, love, and service.
(53:13) "To serve is to live" — Frances's enduring purpose.
(54:57) Sarah on carrying forward Frances's story through a documentary film.
Resources
Website:
https://www.sarahmcarthur.com/
https://www.hesselbeinforum.pitt.edu/
Email: sarah@sarahmcarthur.com
Books:
Work Is Love Made Visible: https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9781119513582
Hesselbein on Leadership: https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9781118717622
My Life in Leadership: https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9780470905739
Frances Hesselbein "Defining Moments" Documentary: https://youtu.be/ImQ0zQpTJec?si=Lv6u5il5NBKjN50W
