Little Fish, Big Pond

Tuesday I went to one of the largest clubs in the US (which also happens to be close to where we live) to meet with one of their guys in a department of interest to me.  I have spent many hours listening to messages by their head guy and read/consumed many of their leadership resources.

When I first sent them an email requesting the meeting about a month ago, I never dreamed that I would receive a reply or be granted a meeting.  To my surprise and delight, Jim agreed to meet with me.

From all I had read, this club has a reputation of excellence that goes from the executive positions all the way through the organization. This was confirmed to me when I first walked in the door.  I was about 45 minutes early for the meeting (I had misjudged the traffic) and had some time to kill.

The woman at the front desk, Cynda, was extremely kind and gracious to me and allowed me to interrupt her other work for about 25 minutes.  She shared that she and her husband were charter members of the club and and that.her husband, an architect, had designed/collaborated on several of the club's campuses.

Shortly before Jim was ready, I had the good fortune to be at the front desk when the head guy himself walked out to chat with Cynda.  Barely able to overcome that starstruck feeling, I introduced myself, gave him a card, and asked to shake Andy's hand.  Quite a moment for me personally.

After a pleasant meeting with Jim, he offered to refer me to someone who might be good to talk to and then escorted me to their bookstore.  He spent the next 20 minutes handpicking out resources (books, DVD's, and CD's) he thought might be of help to me.  I was dumbfounded as he loaded them into two large sacks, asked for a receipt, and then GAVE them to me.

Though I didn't leave with any promises, I definitely left with an impression.  This organization, from the top down, walks their talk.  And though I felt like a little fish in a big pond, and have no guarantee of further interaction, I'm still mighty grateful for the opportunity.       

    

A Leader is a Learner

I've been privileged to be around quite a few gifted leaders during our time here in the US.  I've been reflecting on what traits they possess that make me inclined to listen when they speak (and sometimes take notes!). 

The first trait I have observed is that a leader is always learning.  Regardless of their profession or season in life, you don't have to be around these folks long before you realize they have somehow grasped some timeless life principles that are always applicable and always relevant. 

When you begin to investigate a bit, you'll also find that this kind of person always has their eyes and ears open if the right person is speaking.  They seem to intuitively know who to talk to in order to find out whatever they need to know at that time. 

Whether they are learning from books, periodicals, online material, or people their curiosity is easily piqued and rarely satisfied. 

Even if you don't find yourself agreeing with this person, they are almost always able to earn your respect. Contrary to popular opinion, a true leader doesn't know everything.  But he/she is willing to learn anything that is worth learning. 

Stay hungry my friends.  Let us lead by learning.

Risky

Yesterday I was sitting in my friend Jody's office, listening to him share with me something he is really passionate about.  Even though I bristled a bit at one of his conclusions, because of my respect for him personally I felt compelled to lean in and and try to understand his point of view.  Though the mood at the end of the conversation was a bit subdued, I believe a bond was formed because of our mutual willingness to fully engage the topic.  It is risky to really consider another person's point of view, but a necessary prerequisite for real friendship.  It is also scary to reveal your personal perspective on a sensitive issue, but again necessary to gain and build trust.   

Just Breakfast

I was having breakfast with my friend Rob this morning.  I listened intently about what's been going on in his life lately.  He listened just as intently to what's been happening with me.  Because we have much the same values (faith, family, etc.), we very naturally go beyond empathy to exhortation at times.  Just a reminder to be that person for your friends and family.  Rather than living our lives "asleep at the wheel," let us engage with the people we care about, and maybe even with people we don't know or don't know well.  Let us, like our Father, be AWARE and ACTIVE as we journey through this life.

Minority Ceremony

In March, we attended a minority ceremony in a town two hours south of where we lived.  Here is a portion of the ceremony where the people were wearing cloth horses.  Horses are an important figure in the culture of this minority group.

Caleb reading to Emily

This is a video Gracy took of Caleb in our apartment in Asia taking some time to read to Emily.

Singing in the Park

Here is David trying to follow along with the lyrics of some men singing traditional folk songs in a local park.

On Purpose

During this season, I was encouraged by a veteran worker to map out the next twenty years of my life by "beginning with the end in mind."  What do I want to accomplish in the next 20 years?  What kind of person do I want to become?  And what specific steps do I intend to take to see these long-term goals become realities.

It made me realize my own tendency to settle for general aims in different areas of my life (career, parenting, marriage, spiritual, etc.).  And rather than working steadily and intentionally toward a well-painted target, I find myself hoping that Father will somehow intervene through the circumstances of my life to re-direct me toward His best. 

Be thinking of us during this time as we thoughtfully map out the road ahead.

Warmly,
David and Grace