Recently caught up with good friend Blake Mycoskie, the founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS Shoes. Lots of new things happening with Blake and with TOMS, including a whole new line of TOMS Eyewear, which Blake talks about in the Part One interview below, as well as discussing his soon to release book Start Something That Matters in Part Two.
Really excited that Blake will be with us at Catalyst in Atlanta in October!
Last week was my, uhhh hum, 39th birthday. But 39 is the new 29 right??
In reflecting back over the past year, there are a few lessons that stand out for me. So I thought I would share those with you all here on the blog community.
1. I haven’t arrived yet. Definitely haven’t arrived. Not now, and really not ever. Which means I have to stay hungry and keep learning.
2. Everyone needs a cheerleader. We all need someone to believe in us. Reminded more than ever this past year of this.
3. My turn to be the expert. We all have to embrace our role at some point as being in the seat of expertise. Not because of arrogance, but because of responsibility and stewardship of influence.
4. Laser-like focus. The older I get, the more focus I want and need to have on what I’m good at, and what God has gifted me to do. More focus, not less.
5. Fun isn’t just an option. It should be a requirement. This past year I lost track of something important to me- making sure life is fun and that fun and celebration is part of everyday life.
This should create some conversation……
My opinion of the top 10 College Football rivalry games being played today:
1. OU vs Texas
2. Auburn vs Alabama
3. Ohio State vs Michigan
4. Florida State vs Miami
5. Georgia vs Florida
6. Notre Dame vs USC
7. Army vs Navy
8. Texas vs Texas A&M
9. Clemson vs South Carolina
10. Oregon vs Oregon State
Honorable mention:
OU vs Nebraska (but since this one is now done, I didn’t want it on the top ten list), Kansas vs Missouri, Auburn vs Georgia, Lehigh vs Lafayette (most played rivalry in college football history)
Who do you think is missing from the Top Ten list?
I’m incredibly excited about Catalyst coming up in October in Atlanta. I can’t believe this will be our 12th year of gathering thousands of next generation leaders in Atlanta together.
If you haven’t been to the Catalyst Conference website for this year’s event on October 5-7, 2011, go there now.
First, you need to check out the speakers and invited guests for this October’s event.
Second, you need to register to win an iPad 2 and a custom made Republic Bike. We’re giving an iPad 2 away every week leading up to Catalyst!
Third, you need to Open Your FREE present from Catalyst. If you go to the homepage, then just click on the Open Your Free Present icon, fill out the few lines of info, and then once you are done you’ll have access to over 30 free songs from some of our friends who are creating great music, plus 3 free e-books, plus some of the best talks from past Catalyst events, the most recent Catalyst GroupZine curriculum, and a great resource from Andy Stanley.
It’s our present to you in just saying thanks for continuing to lead and inspire and be Catalysts in your community.
Now go check it out!
Here you go, the June edition of the Young Influencers List. You can see all the past editions here.
1. Andy Barron- amazing photographer and graphic designer from LA.
2. Perrin Rogers- pastor at The Triumphant Church in Hyattsville, Maryland, and a leadership junkie!
3. Sarah Cunningham- author of Dear Church, speaker, blogger and skinny white girl (according to her website!!)
4. Justin Lathrop- founder of Helpstaff.me, a staffing company, and Exec Pastor of strategic development at The Oaks Church.
5. Cole Nesmith- creative director for Status, a church community in Orlando, and also founder of Uncover the Color.
6. Katelyn Graves- director of operations for Cobblestone Project, a strategic initiative to connect needs to resources in Northwest Arkansas.
Have someone who should be considered for an upcoming Young Influencer edition? Leave a comment below.
Are you the same up close as you are far away?
Doesn’t matter what it is, something can look great from a distance. But once you get up close, many times we realize things aren’t the same.
How about you? Do your acquaintances and those who are considered “distant” friends think of you completely different than those who know you best? Do you treat those closest to you completely different than a business partner or a strategic customer who many times we “have” to serve and put up a potential false front with?
How about your organization? Does your organization and team look the same up close as it does from a long ways away? From a distance, I know lots of companies I would love to work for just because they have cool office space and a relaxed corporate culture. But once I really got to know them, how much of my opinion would change?
Ultimately, we can all much easier fake who we really are when we keep people at arms length and distant from us. But in the end, it comes back to honesty, humility, and authenticity.
Leaders and organizations who are authentic look the same up close as they do far away. In fact, I would argue that authentic leaders become more and more authentic the more you get to know them. The more layers you peel away, the more you see true authenticity. Not the opposite.
Take a moment to think about yourself, your team, the organization you serve, or the Church you attend. Same up close as far away???
Is Sunday the most segregated day of the week? Is Sunday morning at 10 am the most segregated hour of the week?
Important questions to wrestle with.
And I had the chance to catch up with Scott Williams, author of the brand new book Church Diversity, former pastor of the NW OKC LifeChurch.tv campus, and popular blogger and speaker, to talk about this topic that he addresses in his new book.
Scott has great perspective on the issue of diversity, the Church, leadership, and what it means to Church leaders.
A few leadership thoughts as we start the week:
- Leaders are problem solvers.
- Leaders are not afraid to run straight towards a problem, instead of away from it.
- Leaders step in and solve issues that clear the way for progress.
- Leaders are constantly moving forward, and don’t dwell in or on the past.
- Leaders are honest, and in times of crisis, are not afraid to take the heat and be accountable for problems that may not be theirs.
- Leaders are willing to answer lots and lots of questions during times of change and uncertainty.
- Leaders “have the back” of their team members, and always have the best interest of their team in mind. Always.
- Leaders own up to their mistakes. They step up and take the blame.
- Leaders are willing to take risks, and boldly step out even when it doesn’t make sense.
- Leaders are trustworthy.
- Leaders have no excuses, and break through to solutions and overcome barriers without complaining or relying on an excuse to protect themselves.
- Leaders pursue visions and dreams bigger than themselves.
- Leaders fight to end injustice and are a voice for the voiceless.
- Leaders are authentic. With great leaders, the more you get to know them, the more you want to follow them.
- Leaders put others before themselves.
- Leaders are passionate about their vocation, and sense of calling. They love the work they get to do.