How to be Extraordinary

courage simventions Dec 05, 2021

My colleague and friend Joe Caliri, who is the President for us at SimVentions, and has a passion for others, asked me about a year ago to write a guest blog post.  I came across it recently, and thought I'd share it with you. It offers a glimpse of what the company we get to work for is all about.  Enjoy! 


 How to be Extraordinary 

  • Walt Disney 
  • Jesse Owens 
  • Wilbur and Orville Wright  
  • Mother Teressa  
  • Oprah Winfrey 
  • Neil Armstrong 
  • Michael Jordan 

When you see these list of names, you might think greatness. After all, their accomplishments and achievements are pretty significant, aren’t they? 

The truth is they had their doubts, their challenges, and their frustrations.  They were like anyone else.  Yet, despite the odds, they rose above the fray and left their mark on the world. 

Story after story – going back to...

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Books to Lead - To Sell is Human

book Dec 02, 2021

Paul and Rick crack open the top books on leadership and life. For this week's episode, we unpack the landmark book from best-selling author Daniel Pink - To Sell is Human. Learn the new ABCs of sales and marketing. And discover the power of MOVING people.

 
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Why You Should Write

stories values vision Nov 28, 2021

I will never forget the day.  My freshmen year of college, one of my required classes was English Literature.  Honestly, I was less than thrilled.  English Lit was not on my bucket list.

It was a cold afternoon in Ohio and I hustled from my dorm to beat the train going through the campus.  I arrived early enough to find a good seat at the "back" of the room.  (Yes, that's right, in those days I was a back seater student. The last thing I wanted was to get stuck in the front :-) 

The professor walked in a few minutes late, cooly strolling in wearing a tweed jacket  looking a lot like Jack Black would today. 

In a passionate voice he introduced himself glancing at his new students in the room.  "Welcome everyone! I am your Professor, Dr. Davis. But rather than thinking of me as yet another teacher, think of me as a GUIDE on your journey." 

I looked around the room to see...

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Books to Lead - Good to Great

Uncategorized Nov 25, 2021

 Paul and Rick crack open the top books on leadership and life. For this week's episode the book in the spotlight is a class, "Good to Great", written by best selling author Jim Collins. You don't want to miss this episode, and the power of a mentor leader.

 
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Choose the Arena

 

Words matter. Words can either breath life, or tear us down. One of the more powerful words ever spoken was an excerpt from a Teddy Roosevelt speech titled Citizenship in a Republic that he gave in Paris, France in April 1910.

Perhaps you are familiar with it. Even if it is, I encourage you to read it again as if it’s the first time.

"It is not the critic who counts;
it’s not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles
or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;

who strives valiantly;
who errs, who comes short again and again,
because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;

but who does actually strive to do the deeds;
who knows great enthusiasms,
the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause;
who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring...

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Books to Lead - The Mentor Leader

Uncategorized Nov 18, 2021

Paul and Rick crack open the top books on leadership and life. For this week's episode the book in the spotlight is "The Mentor Leader", written by NFL Hall of Fame Coach, Tony Dungy. You don't want to miss this episode, and the power of a mentor leader.

 

 
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Never Give Up - A Personal Story

life perseverance Nov 14, 2021

Hi friends,

I recently shared the story that I have been so hesitant to share. It's my story. A story of challenge and pursuit as it relates to an unexpected medical diagnosis a few years back. If nothing else, I hope my story encourages you in some small way. Here it is.

I want to encourage you, don't let the obstacles and the set backs keep you from living forward. Continue to imagine. create. explore and discover :-). Continue to break average no matter what life throws your way. 

Background

I was honored to share this story from the John Maxwell IMC event stage with other speech finalists on Sept 1, 2021 - who I now call friends. They inspired and motivated me with their amazing stories. From them, I was reminded that we all have challenges that come our way. Life is not easy. But it is so worth it, if we just keep moving. Inside each of us we have a story like that to share. It's often a story of perseverance, which is the center point of all leadership.

...
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Books to Lead - Outliers

books Nov 11, 2021

Paul and Rick crack open the top books on leadership and life on the Breaking Average podcast. For this week's episode the book in the spotlight is "Outliers", written by Malcolm Gladwell.

You'll definitely want to watch this episode.  Share with us your favorite bits from the book.

 
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Why November Can Be Your Best Month

attitude Nov 06, 2021

If you had to pick a favorite month of the year, would November even be in your top 5?

Think about it. Most people would pick April, May, or June.  Then they’ll skip the hot months, and then pick September or October.  That’s their top 5. But November?  It often gets the short end of the stick. At least in the U.S. and Canada.

When you think November…

  • You might think the coming cold.
  • You might think fall time change and dark afternoons
  • You might think about leaves to rake
  • You might think about election flyers jamming your mailbox
  • You might think about black Friday mayhem, or people not shaving.

But what if November was much more than those things?  What if November was YOUR favorite month?

Think of the magic that happens in November

There’s lots of reason to love it, like the color of the leaves, the beautiful mornings, the electric energy of football, the smell of hot chocolate, the breakout of sweaters, or the recognition of...

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Books to Lead - Leaders Eat Last

book brain leadership Nov 04, 2021

On the Breaking Average Podcast, we unpack a revolutionary book that has more impact now, then when it was first written.  It's Simon Sinek's book Leaders Eat Last. 

Join Paul and Rick as they share great insights from this book.  Also included below are some helpful resources to further unpack the book and podcast.   

We encourage to check out all the resources and online classes that Simon and his team offer by visiting their web site at SimonSinek.com.

We have a few resources inspired from the book that are highlighted below to help you unpack this even further.

This first view  reflects the goals of a good leader.   The desire is to create a circle a circle of safety with those in our care.  This is important component to breaking averaging.

This next view gives you a glimpse of the power of our neurotransmitters in creating this "circle of safety."   What we need to watch for our is the...

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If you have a passion  for personal growth or leadership, then let's stay connected.  Occasionally, but not too often. I'll share helpful information and useful resources to encourage those on the breaking average journey.