A couple of years ago a friend – Steve Wiens – encouraged me to read Strengthening The Soul Of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton. I was not disappointed.

Recently I sat among a group of people all of whom respected one another. We share some common goals. We share some common hopes and dreams. While we were discussing those goals and hopes and dreams, one person spoke up.

The room of people turned.
We looked and listened.

She is well-respected.
She is respect-worthy.
She has a very respected legacy.

She is a leader among leaders.

And, in this group of people:
When she spoke people listened.
When she led people followed.
When she thought out-loud people agreed.

And, when she had a misguided suggestion there was buy-in.

I love my family.
I love my friends.

I love spending time with them, most of the time.

Being an introvert with “a big heart” fills me with tension. 1

I Love People BUT…

I like working on projects alone.
I feel guilty when I would prefer not going to brainstorming meetings.

I like working “alone” in coffee shops…
… surrounded by people I don’t talk to.

I would rather tweet than chat.
I would rather text than talk on the phone.

I’m an introvert with an extrovert’s job.

I’m an introvert with an extrovert’s personality.

Most people who see me work, especially when I’m teaching, would have no idea I am an introvert. 1
– I’m loud
– I’m funny
– I’m dramatic
– I’m engaging
– I usually teach dialogically
– I pursue relationships with others

And, I’m an introvert.

A few months ago I read Men of Sunday: How Faith Guides the Players, Coaches, and Wives of the NFL by Curtis Eichelberger.

I loved the book. This Super Bowl Sunday let me add a quote from to add to your day:

“I close the book with a chapter on leadership, and who better to focus on than Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis?

The former Super Bowl Most Valuable Player built his own leadership style around the tenets of Christianity and God’s teachings. Here, we learn that leadership starts with serving others, not giving commands.

Amy, Jill, Eric and I were driving back toward San Jose when Eric pulled the car into a parking lot facing the ocean.

Eric knew that we would love to watch the sun set over the ocean.

While we we admiring the setting, Eric got up without a word and walked over to a pile of sticks. At least that’s what I saw. Jill saw a wood pile that had been gathered and positioned for the evening fire. Eric saw something else.

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Last Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1. Don’t Hold Grudges
2. Take Care Of Your Health.
3. Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking
4. Greed Gains Momentum
5. Gratitude Leads To Contentment
6. Contentment Leads To Generosity
7. Everyone Splashes. Splash Blessings.
8. Find A Mentor
9. Why Become A Mentor?

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Last Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1. Don’t Hold Grudges
2. Take Care Of Your Health.
3. Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking
4. Greed Gains Momentum
5. Gratitude Leads To Contentment
6. Contentment Leads To Generosity
7. Everyone Splashes. Splash Blessings.
8. Find A Mentor

“Why did you decide to become a mentor?”

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Last Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1. Don’t Hold Grudges
2. Take Care Of Your Health.
3. Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking
4. Greed Gains Momentum
5. Gratitude Leads To Contentment
6. Contentment Leads To Generosity
7. Everyone Splashes. Splash Blessings.

A Mentor

Find a mentor for life who will help you think through important life decisions.

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom. 

The first lesson the wise would teach us is Don’t Hold Grudges
The second lesson was Take Care Of Your Health.

Compassion Makes Sense

Compassion is more important than pleasure. Many people intentionally blind themselves to the needs of others. When I didn’t listen to my mom my mom would call it “selective listening.”