Leadership Lessons Learned from My Grandfather
My grandfather was a quiet man with a booming voice who didn’t mince words. He has been gone for over 20 years, but he’s still part of my everyday life. Today I would like to share with you some leadership lessons I learned from my grandfather.
Woo-hoo! Saturday I wrapped up the heart-centered, content-rich 10th Annual Design Your Destiny Live event!
I am so humbled by all the attendees who showed up, connected with each other and put in the work to begin the process of designing their destiny.
Leadership Lessons - Upside Thinking
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My grandfather was a quiet man with a booming voice who didn’t mince words.
You always knew how he felt about something even if he didn’t speak it aloud.
He reminded me of Columbo for his cadence and genius. (If you’ve never seen the show, google it.)
We never spoke directly about dozens of subjects, yet I learned a ton about leadership just by watching and observing him interact with others.
My grandfather’s been gone for over 20 years and still he’s part of my everyday life.
I think about him when I connect with others.
I think about him when I’m at church.
I think about him when I’m speaking with clients.
And, the biggest lessons I learned from him were about giving.
1.Invest in others.
My grandfather wasn’t a big risk taker.In fact, he and my grandmother had an opportunity to be investors in an opportunity that would have made them millions.
Tens of millions. And, perhaps even hundreds of millions looking at the stock today.
And, they passed on the opportunity.
Actually, they made the investment, handed money over, and then asked for it back.
They just couldn’t pull the trigger – especially after his heart attack.
Yet, he invested in others in word and deed almost every day.
With kids in the neighborhood or people who just needed a break, my grandfather was seen as strict – and loving.
And, his investments in others always paid big dividends.
I still remember the lines of people waiting to pay their respects at his funeral.
At 80 years old, people came to the church and funeral home to say their good-bye’s.
Young and old. Rich and poor. Several hundreds of people – and countless people who wrote letters to express their gratitude.
When you invest in others, it’s an investment that will always give back.
2.Be charitable.
Despite the limited amount of financial resource my grandfather had at his disposal, he had a generous and giving heart.This was different than the kindness he extended to others or the time he spent.
He blessed others financially, never holding back, despite how challenging it may have made life for my grandfather and him.
Their two grown children lived with them until he passed away.
One of the reasons I find it easy to give so freely is I watched him do it when he thought no one was looking.
3.Whatever you do, give it your 100%.
I went to my grandparent’s house every morning to get ready for school.After school, I went there and waited for my Mom to pick up my sister and myself after work.
My grandfather would often find me sitting in his bedroom reading.
His message was, “That’s right. You go study, not go steady.”
It was his way of sharing that his vision for me was to do great things, not find a husband to marry – at least not until I had done what I was called to do.
When we were watching Merv Griffin (I’m dating myself… If you don’t know who he is, google him, too.), — and Merv was interviewing a speaker.
My grandfather turned to me and said, “That’s going to be you someday, Lisa. You’ll be speaking to thousands – and your sister will be there to support you.”
I remember thinking, “What in the world is he talking about? I’m 11.”
And, his vision for me was for me to give my all – my 100% – and that I would be well rewarded.
Leadership Lessons
The world needs more leaders like my grandfather.
His way of being inspired me to pursue my career and believe that anything was possible – that I could turn possibilities into realities.
And, I have.
I’m often in awe at all I have accomplished, despite the challenges and struggles that have come my way.
How about you?
Who has inspired you to believe that anything was possible?
And, what will you choose to create next?
Action Item: Leadership Lessons - Upside Thinking
The Upside Challenge for the week is to apply these 3 principles – invest in others, be charitable, and give 100%. Which one will you work on first?
The world needs you and your brilliance.
Comfort doesn’t change the world. Vulnerability changes everything.
I am so humbled by all the attendees who showed up, connected with each other and put in the work to begin the process of designing their destiny.
Posted in Design Your Destiny, Leadership, The World Needs You and Your Brilliance, Upside Challenge
