I find it interesting to see how surprised people are when they hear me talk about a conference I have recently attended, or a course I have taken or a book I just read.
There amazement is usually expressed with comments of …. “I thought you were retired”’ …. “Oh my, you are still learning!”… Although I am equally surprised with their reaction, I just smile and say, “Isn’t it fun to learn?”
Recently I came across an article about a speech given back in the later part of 1990 but the message was so impactful it still circulates today. The speech was given by, John Gardner, a celebrated Stanford professor.
His message was on ‘Personal Renewal’….. an urgent message to leaders who wish to make a difference and stay effective to commit themselves to continue learning and growing.
What was his message? He said….“We have to face the fact that most men and women out there in the world of work are more stale than they know, more bored than they would care to admit,”
He went onto say, “Boredom is the secret ailment of large-scale organizations. Someone said to me the other day ‘How can I be so bored when I’m so busy?’ I said ‘Let me count the ways.’ Look around you. How many people whom you know well — people even younger than yourselves—are already trapped in fixed attitudes and habits?”
John Gardner wanted to inspire the future leaders to embrace learning….
- “Be interested,” he urged them. “…
- “You’re only as young as the new things you do,”
- Everyone wants to be interesting, but the vitalizing thing is to be interested.
As the proverb says, ‘It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.’
What a Powerful message! Years ago I had a mentor who urged me to be Curious…. To always invest part of my time and income in learning. As he often said, “Experience the Experiences in Life”.
Today, I continue to do that very thing but I not only seek out the learning experience of attending an event, I find the gathering of like-minded people equally important. To be a part of a community of people who are interested in more…
- More experiences
- More ideas
- A different perspective
- People who like to meet new people to expand their circle of influence.
- Attending an event is energizing and fulfills the need we have for encouragement.
I once read a quote by Ross Perot …. He said, “Eagles don’t flock …. You must find them one at a time.”
I think in many ways that is true of Leaders, they have a tendency to be independent, to stand alone as they lead the crowd. And for that reason I believe Leaders need to find a community. They need to gather to be Renewed and Inspired.
When I headed up a large sales team, I contributed the success of that organization in great part to annual retreats ….. A time for learning but also a place to be validated and encouraged to think big, aim high and follow your dreams. It was a gathering of an exciting community of people.
I can pinpoint some major Aha’s in my life and career while I attended a retreat, a conference or a monthly meeting….. they were career-changing and life-changing ‘moments of clarity’ that seemed to pop into my mind as ideas; turning points. There is something so empowering about being part of a group of people who are truly ‘committed to excellence’.
COMMIT YOURSELF TO EXCELLENCE
This life is yours…………..
Take the Power to choose what you want to do and do it well.
Take the Power to love what you want in life and love it honestly.
Take the Power to control your own life. . . . No on else can do it for you.
Take the Power to make your life happy. – Susan Polis Schutz
Leaders Take the Power as they Take the Lead…do you take the time to experience the experience of learning opportunities?
