Looking Up: How a Different Perspective Turns Obstacles into Advantages

by Michele Sullivan

Imagine being born into a world where fitting in was never an option.

Michele Sullivan, one of the most powerful women in philanthropy, was born with a rare form of dwarfism. Meaning she has spent her entire life looking up. As the first female president of the Caterpillar Foundation, she has used her unique point of view to impact countless lives around the world.

As a child, Michele decided to life a life of meaning,

Tailoring her differences into something more suitable for the world.Hiding from the world and live on the fringe.Embracing her differences to turn them into assets.Recognize that there was a strength within her that could help others.Looking Up is the story of how Michele became the smallest woman at the largest earth-moving manufacturer in the world. While her height has presented challenges that are different from most, it has allowed her to see things that others do not, literally and figuratively.

Embedded in this narrative are unique (and often hilarious) takeaways for individuals about the importance of making the first move, being wrong at first, choosing intimacy over influence, and learning that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

Genres: Nonfiction

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2020

Reviews

[Dylan James Conmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't been this inspired by a book since I read the Book of Joy with the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. Michele Sullivan has a way of pulling you in right from the beginning and taking you along for the journey. Her messages are insightful, heartfelt, and inspiring. Her advice is poignant, her struggles were unique to her, yet universal in scope. If you can make it through this book without feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to lift yourself up to a higher challenge, then I suggest you go back and read it again. This book is a must read for anyone.

[Angela Etten · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the first female President of the Caterpillar Foundation, Michele describes how looking up to people from the vantage of four feet was not just a physical phenomenon, but a leadership practice of elevating the people around her. Michele skillfully intertwines her childhood lessons of embracing her physical differences as a person with metatropic dysplasia, a rare type of dwarfism, with adult lessons of growing on the inside. She credits her parents for teaching her that she was more than her size and that life was not all about her. LPA (Little People of America) helped Michele with self-acceptance and interdependence.
Michele attributes her gift of empathy and compassion shared with foundation beneficiaries, partners and staff around the world to her family and the people she met in LPA and during five summers of orthopedic surgeries and therapy. She introduces the book with her most potent life lesson—learning to expand her view of others saying, “When we learn how to elevate the people around us to discover and champion what’s noble and beautiful and powerful in them we uncover the path of impact in one another’s lives.”
Indeed, Michele successfully passed along this lesson to readers of her book. I agree with the many customers who describe the book as inspirational, but not for the reason you might think. Michele’s story does not inspire people to admire her courage for all that she has endured, but—through laughter, tears, and example—inspires people to change their perspective and to see people for who they are on the inside.
The book is packed full of life changing advice and wisdom about the value in every person, including ourselves. Looking Up is not just the name of a book, but a principle to follow that changes how we see and impact people.

[Shirley Freeman]

For some reason, the kindle edition is the only option here. That's not how I read it. I actually listened to it through librofm. The fact that the author reads it herself (in her self-described squeaky voice) adds to its authenticity. I really enjoyed Sullivan's matter-of-fact, joyful, humorous story of rising to the top of a corporate foundation in spite of, or because of, being born with a rare form of dwarfism. She has the wonderful ability to cut through the bs, to laugh at herself and the situation, and to impart inspiring lessons to anyone struggling with anything. Bottom line - remember to look up to people (no matter who they are or what they do), not look down on them.

[Christophe Zajac-Denek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such an enjoyable read. I have dwarfism as well and so many of the struggles and funny anecdotes Michele shares resonated with me. Michele stands out in a big way. Not only does she share her success within her experience with dwarfism, but she also shares so many of her experiences from the professional world. Michele was the first female president of Caterpillar Foundation. It's evident that her experience as a little person influenced how she interacted with and moved towards helping so many people in need all over the world. I highly recommend this book. If you know someone with dwarfism or not, this book is well worth the read!

[Joji]

A must read little book talking about the big achievement of a little lady who grew from being cornered due to her heights and with her determination grows to be the CEO of Caterpillar foundation. She inspires a lot of people with a conviction that height is nothing but having low in height make you look up to others and learn from others. Depending on others is not a bad thing and how she got support from others and how she rewrote the perceptions of people.

Beautiful book.. inspiring writing and it tells be a ripple impact will be around. Thing less of yourself and more of others

[Bernie Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational and incredible. Do yourself a favor and please give it a read.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book and should be required reading for all humans. As a happy retiree, I’m the last person to pick up a book in the “leadership” category. But this book is the perfect combination of memoir and perspective. It was never preachy nor filled with all the hyped up slogans of the self help crowd.

It was a real story about a real person and I loved getting to know Michele through her stories. Be it via her actions or her prose she makes many eloquent points about seeing the best in others and not jumping to conclusions. You’ll find yourself nodding along as you read and probably even laughing out loud.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michele is an absolute inspiration. I wish I could meet her. Her positive attitude and willingness to find the humor in awkward or difficult situations is refreshing. She’s knocked down barriers using her intelligence and kindness; she has certainly attracted more bees with her honey than vinegar.

[Lise King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of eye opening about the struggles a smaller person would have in our world. A great way of looking at work arounds thru perspective and overcoming problems.