Someone once asked me to think of all the people you have worked for in life. I hate that phrase, “work for”. Those for whom I “worked for” were usually uninspiring and often boring. I worked hard at minimizing my need to be in contact with them. Tell me what you want done, then get out of my way while I do it. There was no passion, no excitement, no sense of doing something for the greater good. There simply was a job to do that didn’t seem connected to anything else.
More years ago then I care to remember, there was a very real leader in my life. This leader was not my boss. Matter of fact, this leader had nothing to do at all with the organization which employed me. This leader was the President of the Pennsylvania Jaycees. At the time, I was President of the Camp Hill Jaycees.
My interactions with this leader were few and far between. Whenever we did interact, he would speak about the future. He would paint a word picture describing what a successful chapter looks like. He helped us see how the three strategies of the US Jaycees, if used correctly, would produce great results. He inspired me to want to do great things.
Following his lead, our local chapter climbed out of the depths of the fear of losing our charter to being ranked among the top 25 chapters in the state. There was no monetary award attached to this accomplish. There was simply a compelling vision to guide us, a series of proven strategies to follow, and a never ending passion to see it through.
It was only two years later that I began my first business. My vision, my passion, helped me overcome so many obstacles in so many ways. It was this vision, and this passion that allowed me to build a business which met many goals.
But in the year 2000, my vision and passion gave way to a greater concern, that of the survival of my daughter. An attempted suicide of a teenage child will definitely blind side you, and knock you off game.
As time went on, I eventually got back on track. However, there was a new track beginning to develop. I’m still passionate about my business. But my passion for a new vision continues to grow stronger and stronger every day.
What is this new vision? More than anything, I want to work with people who are faced with the unpredictable and often frustrating behaviors of a loved one who suffers from a mental illness. I want to help them to:
• Accept that their loved one suffers from a mental illness.
• Understand that a mental illness, like other illnesses, is treatable.
• Believe that there is hope for recovery.
• Realize that they can make a difference in that recovery.
• Want to learn what it is they can do to help.
What does Duct Tape have to do with this? What does Duct Tape have to do with leadership?
I use duct tape every day. Every day, I read my vision statement. Every day, I focus! Every day, I reflect. What am I doing that is working, for those are the things I want to be sure to continue. What am I doing that is not working? These are the things I need to stop doing. What is something new, something that I haven’t tried before but might work?
If I ever expect others to follow me, I better have a pretty clear vision of where I’m headed. A daily dose of Duct Tape guarantees just that.
