A Vision Worthy to Embrace

This is part of a talk I gave recently on
encouraging educators to "hang in there" in their
ongoing endeavor to make a difference in young people’s lives.

Vital to society are women and men who are committed to the vision of providing quality education for today’s students.

Now I do not use the term vision lightly. I believe that in any endeavor – whether it be in business, sports, parenting, teaching – without a vision of some greater good to be accomplished, without a vision of a better or preferable future, then the sustainability of that endeavor diminishes with time.

Novelty, freshman enthusiasm, excitement at the beginning of the journey will eventually wane. Although mountain top experiences, renewal conferences, and rewards for jobs well done are all very important, it is the vision of what you want to accomplish with your life or your career that keeps you in the game until the job is done.

The challenge for many people is that they do not have a vision big enough to sustain them long-term. Most people are living too shallow a dream, so no wonder they’re frustrated when the initial enthusiasm wears off. A big vision will answer that challenge.

You’ve heard this quote. The saying has been attributed to Victor Hugo, "Dream no small dreams. They have not the power to stir men’s souls." The bible puts it like this: "Without a vision, the people perish."

I want to make the case that assisting in the maturation process of young adults into healthy, well-rounded, individuals who can better society because of the skills you as a teacher handed down to them is a worthy vision to embrace.

Let me repeat that. Assisting in the maturation process of young adults into healthy, well-rounded, individuals who can better society because of the skills you handed down to them is a worthy vision to embrace.

For three reasons...

God is My CEO

A surprisingly helpful little handbook is God is My CEO by Larry Julian (published by Adams Media 2001, 2002). It's actually a compilation of short chapters on a wide range of business topics by various corporate leaders, sports authorities, and even a former governor.

Normally I would shy away from books like this that tie God with politics, business, or sports, but the subtitle - Following God's Principles in a Bottom-Line World - sounded better than the title. It struck a chord with me as this is my desire.

I was pleased with the resource. Just flipping through the headings and authors piqued my interest: Tony Dungy (Super Bowl Champ Head Coach) on Patience; Horst Schulze (CEO Ritz Carlton) on Servant Leadership; Truett Cathy (Founder Chick-fil-A) on Priorities; Bob Buford (author of Half Time) on Success. Etc.

Okay. Not an instant classic. But a nice gift if you are looking to impact others in a positive way.

The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness
The Life Story that Inspired the Major Motion Picture
by Chris Gardner (Amistad, 2006)

I did not see the movie. I will. It'll be better than the book.

Although this memoir was engaging, the storyline was probably better served as a feature film which focused, I understand, on Chris Gardner's grit and determination in overcoming the obstacles of family breakup, job loss, homelessness, caring for his son, inevitable racial barriers, and of course new career challenges as a stock broker.

The San Francisco Chronicle Book Review pronounces: "The quintessential rags-to-riches American dream story - amazing and inspirational." And it is. It's just that the first half of the story drags. Gardner spends too much time on his childhood - and not an exceptionally interesting one at that. Except for the retelling of some classic and hilarious boyhood antics that reveal an ornery streak that sets the stage for adulthood triumph, I kept wanting Gardner to get to the good part.

He does eventually. But has to drop about a thousand F-bombs along the way. Some poignant truths, but unfortunately Gardner's personality is off-putting just enough that I never felt compelled to care deeply about his struggle. But then, I am white. I've never been homeless. I come from an intact, nuclear family. His story is not mine. Yet I admire his determination.

So although I've read better memoirs, The Pursuit of Happyness delivers. Gardner finally did get to the "good part" - he's now the CEO of Gardner Rich & Company. And I doubt very much if he cares whether I liked his book.

By the way, for a happenstance taxi interview with Chris Gardner in 2000 in Chicago, watch this You Tube Video. (F-bomb alert.) If you like what you see here, you'll like his book.


UPDATE April: Found another good review of this book by M.B. Levine.

All You Can Do is All You Can Do

. . . But all you can do is enough!

That is, if you give it all you've got. That's the message from Art Williams, a former high school football coach who rose through difficulty to become one of the wealthiest men in America. His no-holds-barred advice includes: Become a Dreamer Again (And Dream Big), Have a Crusade (Stand for Something), Treat People "Good", and his famous "Do It" Principle.

All the other principles in this book won't do you a bit of good if you never act on them. There's got to be action for you to win. Talk is cheap. Everybody talks a good game. But a winner goes out and does something. (p. 230)

Whether you want to build a championship business or just live life like a winner, this former coach can coach you to greatness. To change your life, change your thinking. Advice from someone who's been there can make the difference.

Leadership and Self-Deception

We are self-deceived. The claim that we are not is proof that we are. For each of us is "in a box" of selfishness. And self-betrayal is how we enter the box. What is Self-Betrayal?

1. An act contrary to what I feel I should do for another is called an act of "self-betrayal."
2. When I betray myself, I begin to see the world in a way that justifies my self-betrayal.
3. When I see a self-justifying world, my view of reality becomes distorted.
4. So - when I betray myself, I enter the box. (p. 76)

How do we get "out of the box" and so view others, not as objects, but as people with similar needs, dreams, and desires like us? That is what you'll find out in the book, Leadership and Self-Deception.