Miscellaneous Monday - Presidents' Day Edition

[Andy Gladstone]

Happy Monday Atlassian Community!

In the United States, today is a federal and state holiday - Presidents' Day. It was enacted to serve as a day to honor all of those that have served as President of United States, of which there have been 46 since the founding of the United States in 1776. 

Thinking about the past Presidents of the United States always brings to mind this somewhat silly, IMHO irrelevant question that seems to be a standard interview question or ice-breaker. 

If you could have lunch with one famous person, dead or alive, who would it be? 

Unfortunately, US Presidents have not always been great or honorable men. And although I would answer Abraham Lincoln to this question, there are few other former (or current) Presidents that would make this list.

However, there are great men and women who have served their countries across the globe that I am sure many of us would love to have a conversation with. 

In the spirit of Presidents' Day I would ask this question in a different manner.

If you could have lunch with one world leader, dead or alive, who would it be?

Please share with us a world leader who you are inspired, intrigued or bewildered by that you would like to meet for a drink or a meal with and why. 

Here is hoping that everyone has a great week ahead!

[Ed Gaile _Atlanta_ GA_]

Wow - only one. That would be tough. Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill, and Martin Luther King all pop in mind.  All in different extremely difficult situations but with the resolve to keep leading.  What internal doubts and struggles did they deal with? So many questions.

Let me chew on this one a bit more.

[Andy Gladstone]

Would you want them all at the same table at the same time? If so, what is the one question you would ask them that all three would have to answer?

[Viktoriya Borisova]

Viktor Frankl! I think he might not count as a world leader, but I'd like to pick his brain on life's search for meaning and how it evolves as we enter different developmental stages or life experiences. It's usually on the back of my mind when I make new connections these days.

[Andy Gladstone]

Thanks for sharing!

[Curt Holley]

"World leader" is an interesting concept.

Who qualifies for that title?

and in what field?

With that in mind, I'll go leftfield and say David Bowie. As I see him as a world leader of Music, Art, Fashion, Reinvention and Innovation.

From cross-dressing to Internet banking, Bowie = World leader.

Not to mention, Oh! the stories he could tell!!! ⚡

[Andy Gladstone]

Interesting take. My assertion on 'World Leader' was initially someone that was recognized by the people either via democratic election, parliamentary appointment or monarch lineage. 

But you are right, someone can be considered a world leader even outside of those confines. 

If you only had one question to ask Mr. Bowie, what would it be?

[Curt Holley]

One question!!! that makes it tough @Andy Gladstone .

I'd want it to be a conversation starter, so probably something like "What would he have liked to do next/what was left on his bucket list?" (Assuming I'm talking with him is some post 2016 magical "Lunch" opportunity) 

[Viktoriya Borisova]

ohh I like that question 

[Rilwan Ahmed]

Mahatma Gandhi, APJ Abdul Kalam

[Summer Hogan]

Definitely Martin Luther King Jr. for me! I would ask him how in this modern day we end racism, discrimination and bias! With all the LGBTQ laws being passed in this country, I would ask how we put an end to this type of discrimination! Sorry, I got a little serious there! :)

[Juan Carlos Vera]

;D