Good Afternoon, Friends!
On the morning of February 26, 2018, I started my morning run about two hours late. I had my headphones in and was listening to music. I had found that Zen moment that running so often brings. My thoughts seemed a little clearer. My focus was sharper, and I was conscious of my breath. I was thinking of everything and yet, nothing at all.
My reverie was broken when I was about two and a half miles into my six-mile run. I saw an older woman holding a dog on the side of the road. We were on the same side of the road, and as I got closer, I could see that she was trying to cross the busy Route 102 morning traffic. Commuters were focused on getting their coffee, gas, or simply getting to work – they completely ignored the woman and her dog.
Every few seconds or so, she would step into the road, and a car would come flying by, forcing her to take a step back. As I ran past her, I smiled and waved a friendly good morning. Back to listening to my music. A few minutes later, I arrived at my turnaround point, and I could see, she was still trying to cross the road.
I quickly crossed the street, weaving between the oncoming commuters and trucks. As I began the last half of my morning run. I ran past the woman holding her dog, thinking, “why won’t any of these cars stop and let her cross and the road.”
I ran another fifty steps or so and then came to a dead stop. I realized that the commuters and truck drivers weren’t the problem – I was. I had the power and ability to help. I could affect change and aid this woman crossing the street.
I took out my earbuds and put on my best boy scout look. Determined, I walked across the road dodging speeding traffic. As I approached the woman, I greeted her and asked her how she was doing. We complained about the traffic and the careless drivers. She graciously accepted my offer to help her cross the road.
With my arms outstretched, I walked into the road directing traffic in both directions to stop. Amazingly, cars and trucks in both directions heeded my instruction. Securing my place in the middle of the road, I could feel the drivers’ frustration and anxiousness. I motioned for the woman to cross. For a few seconds, she was hesitant. She took less than a dozen steps into the road, and an impatient driver zipped between us, causing her to stop.
I got more assertive and pointed to each driver and motioned to them to remain stopped. I walked closer to the woman and escorted her across the street. Once she got safely to the other side of the road, I continued my run.
That morning, I transitioned from a runner doing my own thing to an Intentional Leader. I rose above the need to burn calories, run faster, maintain the perfect heart rate, and become an Intentional Leader. I chose to help someone in need and even at my own expense.
On the surface, my altruistic action did not change the world. I didn’t cure cancer, solve our country’s homeless challenges, and create world peace, but I did make a difference in Betty Turnbull’s life for at least 30 seconds.
Fellow Intentional Leaders, I would love to hear how you are making a difference. Who are you stopping to help? How are you making the world a better place one moment at a time?
[VIDEO] Folded Wishes
I came across this short video, A Folded Wish, based on a Japanese legend that promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by the gods for recovery from illness or injury.
The one thousand origami cranes myth was popularized through the story of Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl who was two years old when she was exposed to radiation from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Sasaki developed leukemia at the age of twelve and attempted to make one thousand origami cranes while hoping for recovery.
Intentional Leaders learn from our experiences and the stories we share. What lesson can we take away from this sad but beautiful story?
Givers
Not sure why I teared up watching this interesting beer commercial. It is compelling and demonstrates that we have an incredible capacity to live, love, and understand. Intentional Leaders can positively impact the lives of others by simply taking the time to listen to someone else’s story.
Help!
While writing this edition of Leading From The Edge, I listened to The Beatles, and their song “Help!” played in the background. As I listened to the music, I thought about how the actions of Intentional Leaders can significantly impact the lives of others. This train of thought led me to this quote from Zig Ziglar and the impact his writing and words had on my early career and leadership development.
“You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want” – Zig Ziglar
Hilary Hinton “Zig” Ziglar was an American author, salesman, and motivational speaker. With his extraordinary verbal abilities, he helped many people recognize their inner selves and achieve success. Zig Ziglar worked by the motto of helping others.
Download The 2018 State of Workplace Empathy report.
Up Next!
I will be delivering on my favorite Keynote, “Finding Your Kilimanjaro,” for the 2021 National Associate for Educational Procurement – New England
When: October 25th
Where: Gurney’s Resort in Newport
I will also be the featured guest on IMC USA’s (Institute of Management Consultants) C2M Zoomcast.
When: November 16th
Where:Virtual; details forthcoming
Finding Your Kilimanjaro
At 4:45 am Tanzania time on October 11, 2015—at 18,500 feet—Tim Hebert realized he was just 841 feet away from failing to make good on a promise his eight-year-old self had made to his beloved grandmother—to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro successfully.
This Keynote is for any business leader who aspires to:
- Approach goal-setting in a more purposeful, intentional, and healthily paced way
- Tap into different tactics for overcoming the seemingly impossible, like the 10-second mentality
- Choose meaningful adventures and ask for the universe’s help in achieving them
The Intentional Leader Update
Last week, I received a formal notification that my book is complete, and all copies are sitting in a warehouse in the UK waiting for the official release date. My publisher is sending me twenty complimentary copies. I can’t wait to open the box and experience the rush of seeing 40 years of work come to fruition.
We are accepting pre-orders on Amazon and Bloomsbury websites.
Warmest Regards,
