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Showing posts with label A Lesson On.... Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Lesson On.... Show all posts
A Quick Lesson on Leadership VI
Someone emailed this to me. It's funny and insightful. Enjoy!
Lesson 6:
A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there a cow came by and crap on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out!
He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered d the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.
Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who craps on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of crap is your friend.
(3) And when you're in deep crap, it's best to keep your mouth shut!
Related Articles:
A Quick Lesson on Leadership V
Someone emailed this to me. It's funny and insightful. Enjoy!
Lesson 5:
A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," said the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy."
"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients."
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.
He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.
Moral of the story:
B.S. might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.
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A Quick Lesson on Leadership IV
Someone emailed this to me. It's funny and insightful. Enjoy!
Lesson 4:
An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing?"
The eagle answered: "Sure, why not."
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.
Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.
Related Articles:
A Quick Lesson on Leadership III
Someone emailed this to me. It's funny and insightful. Enjoy!
Lesson 3:
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out.
The Genie says, "I'll give each of you just one wish."
"Me first! Me first!" says the admin. clerk. "I want to be in the
Puff! She's gone.
"Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in
Puff! He's gone.
"OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager.
The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."
Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.
Related Articles:
A Quick Lesson on Leadership II
Perfecting Your Leadership Qualities
Global Leadership For African-American Collegians
Tips for Developing a Leadership Style
A Quick Lesson on Leadership II
Someone emailed this to me. It's funny and insightful. Enjoy!
Lesson 2:
A priest offered a nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.
The nun said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again. The nun once again said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest apologized "Sorry sister but the flesh is weak."
Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way. Upon his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, "Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory."
Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, opportunities for advancement will pass right by you.
Related Articles:
A Quick Lesson on Leadership I
Perfecting Your Leadership Qualities
Global Leadership For African-American Collegians
Tips for Developing a Leadership Style
A Quick Lesson on Leadership I
Someone emailed this to me. It's funny and insightful. Enjoy!
Lesson 1:
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing her shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands
Before she says a word,
When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?" "It was
Moral of the
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.
Related Articles:
Perfecting Your Leadership Qualities
Global Leadership For African-American Collegians
Tips for Developing a Leadership Style
A Lesson on Making Excuses from A. G. Gaston
On July, 4th 1892 Arthur George Gaston checked into the game of life. Although the rules were designed for him to lose and he was facing a heavily favored opponent, he made no excuses.
One-hundred years and millions of dollars later, the game had long since been a blowout and A.G. Gaston, still playing as hard as ever, was crowned Entrepreneur of the Century by Black Enterprise.
An impoverished grandson of slaves, Gaston was born during the pre-affirmative action, pre-civil rights, Jim Crow era.
Undaunted by these dark times, he still opened the Booker T. Washington Insurance Co. (with $500) in 1923. In 2005 BTW Insurance Co., worth $56.2 million at the time, was named one of the top 5 Black Enterprise Insurance companies.
BTW Insurance was the pillar of Gaston’s real estate, communications, and insurance empire estimated to be worth more than $130 million.
It’s no coincidence that this giant of an entrepreneur was born on Independence Day. His life is the epitome of freedom- financial freedom.
Gaston never made it past the 10th grade.
But he still understood the power education. When Autherine Lucy went to register as the first black student to attend the University of Alabama she received financial aid from Gaston.
At one point in time, Gaston was having trouble finding clerks and typists for his business. Adhering to the mantra of all successful entrepreneurs- find a need and fill it- Gaston opened the Booker T. Washington School of Business. He didn’t expect to make any money but “during the war it turned out to be a lucrative investment.”
He didn’t have an economics degree but he founded the Citizen’s Federal Saving’s Bank. He didn’t have a communications degree but he owned two radio stations. He didn’t have a master’s in business but he built an empire and left a legacy.
What’s on your agenda?
One-hundred years and millions of dollars later, the game had long since been a blowout and A.G. Gaston, still playing as hard as ever, was crowned Entrepreneur of the Century by Black Enterprise.
An impoverished grandson of slaves, Gaston was born during the pre-affirmative action, pre-civil rights, Jim Crow era.
Undaunted by these dark times, he still opened the Booker T. Washington Insurance Co. (with $500) in 1923. In 2005 BTW Insurance Co., worth $56.2 million at the time, was named one of the top 5 Black Enterprise Insurance companies.
BTW Insurance was the pillar of Gaston’s real estate, communications, and insurance empire estimated to be worth more than $130 million.
It’s no coincidence that this giant of an entrepreneur was born on Independence Day. His life is the epitome of freedom- financial freedom.
Gaston never made it past the 10th grade.
But he still understood the power education. When Autherine Lucy went to register as the first black student to attend the University of Alabama she received financial aid from Gaston.
At one point in time, Gaston was having trouble finding clerks and typists for his business. Adhering to the mantra of all successful entrepreneurs- find a need and fill it- Gaston opened the Booker T. Washington School of Business. He didn’t expect to make any money but “during the war it turned out to be a lucrative investment.”
He didn’t have an economics degree but he founded the Citizen’s Federal Saving’s Bank. He didn’t have a communications degree but he owned two radio stations. He didn’t have a master’s in business but he built an empire and left a legacy.
What’s on your agenda?
Gaston was publicly called an Uncle Tom for disagreeing with some of the methods of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders.
This was primarily because Gaston, like his role model Booker T. Washington, believed that long-term economic development was a more pressing matter than short-term civil rights struggles.
Although he focused on the economic status of blacks, Gaston was by no means accepting of Jim Crow laws. He put his money where his mouth was by directly and indirectly providing substantial financial support to Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement.
Unlike so many leaders before and after him, in the face of adversity and extreme criticism, Gaston made no excuses. He put aside the philosophical differences. He understood that although they were traveling on different roads, they were still headed to the same place.
So, when Commissioner Eugene “Bull” Connor arrested Dr. King for marching without a permit, who went to the Birmingham City Jail with $5000 to bail him out? A.G. Gaston.
When King and other civil rights leaders needed a place stay and free meeting space, where did they go? They went to the motel and offices of A. G. Gaston.
As a result, unknown individuals blew up a part of Gaston’s motel where Dr. King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were staying. Also, Gaston’s house was fired bombed when he returned from a state dinner at the White House with President John F. Kennedy.
While building his business during the 1920’s (more than 40 years before the Voting Rights Act) Gaston became an advocate for voter registration.
This was primarily because Gaston, like his role model Booker T. Washington, believed that long-term economic development was a more pressing matter than short-term civil rights struggles.
Although he focused on the economic status of blacks, Gaston was by no means accepting of Jim Crow laws. He put his money where his mouth was by directly and indirectly providing substantial financial support to Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement.
Unlike so many leaders before and after him, in the face of adversity and extreme criticism, Gaston made no excuses. He put aside the philosophical differences. He understood that although they were traveling on different roads, they were still headed to the same place.
So, when Commissioner Eugene “Bull” Connor arrested Dr. King for marching without a permit, who went to the Birmingham City Jail with $5000 to bail him out? A.G. Gaston.
When King and other civil rights leaders needed a place stay and free meeting space, where did they go? They went to the motel and offices of A. G. Gaston.
As a result, unknown individuals blew up a part of Gaston’s motel where Dr. King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were staying. Also, Gaston’s house was fired bombed when he returned from a state dinner at the White House with President John F. Kennedy.
While building his business during the 1920’s (more than 40 years before the Voting Rights Act) Gaston became an advocate for voter registration.
One day, standing inside First National Bank, he saw a “Whites Only” sign above the water fountains. The sign was immediately taken down when Gaston threatened to close his account.
"Money is no good unless it contributes something to the community, unless it builds a bridge to a better life. Any man can make money, but it takes a special kind of man to use it responsibly." -A. G. Gaston
Gaston reached the pinnacle of high achievement and leadership during a time when he was preordained to fail. He is a stellar example of why we should laud and admire our great entrepreneurs as much as our educational, political, and religious leaders.
A. G. Gaston provided anyone who wants to do something with their life a timeless and empowering lesson on making excuses.
It’s not about the obstacles or the circumstances; it’s all about what you do. Period.
A. G. Gaston provided anyone who wants to do something with their life a timeless and empowering lesson on making excuses.
It’s not about the obstacles or the circumstances; it’s all about what you do. Period.
Recommended Reading:
Black Titan: A.G. Gaston and the Making of a Black American MillionaireRelated articles:
A Lesson on Failure from Alfred H. Duncan,Sr.
“Happy first Father’s Day!”
A warm, tingling sensation filled my chest as I responded to my father’s words of congratulations: “Thanks, Dad. Happy Father’s Day to you, man.”
After being on the phone for a few minutes longer, my father and I said our good-byes. As I stood there, in the middle of our kitchen, looking down at the bundle of endless potential in my arms, the sensation in my chest started to get more intense.
“I promise with all that is in me to be a good dad and to show you how to be a good man.”
Unable to really focus his eyes, Mekhi Eli, my one month old son, looked up at me as if to say: “You had better. I’m counting on you to lead the way.” Then with a stretch and a yawn, it was back to sleep for my little man.
As I contemplated various things to teach my son, I thought about how grateful I am for the myriad of lessons my father taught me. I wouldn’t be half the man I am had it not been for him. But there is one lesson, for which I am extremely appreciative, that stands apart from the others.
This lesson wasn’t intentionally taught. It was accidental. It wasn’t a conversation or shining example of what to do. It was a mistake- a costly mistake. There are things, however, that are seldom learned unless a mistake is made.
In case you can’t tell, I have much respect for my father. He was my childhood hero so, I took it pretty hard when he and my mom were divorced. But that was nothing compared to what was coming.
When I was 15 he told me something that was absolutely devastating. He told me that he was addicted to crack cocaine.
I remember standing there in complete disbelief thinking to myself: “My Dad is smokin’ rocks?! Naw…you’re not my father, you’re an imposter! Heroes don’t loose to the bad guys.”
Pain and confusion filled the air. I wanted to cry, but I couldn’t. Too much anger. Too much resentment.
For a few years he battled his addiction and I, along with my two little brothers and three little sisters, battled our emotions. Eventually, we all won.
The day my dad came up to me and said, “Son, I did it, I beat it, I’m clean!” I didn’t exactly greet him with open arms. Too much anger. Too much resentment.
But after awhile, admiration replaced anger, respect replaced resentment, and a priceless lesson replaced the pain. I have spoken and written about this lesson on numerous occasions.
Now matter what happens or what mistakes you make. Be it a bad grade, a bad interview, a bad relationship, bad credit, or just plain old bad decisions. If my father came back from that then you know you can come back from whatever.
So, here’s one of your first lessons, Mekhi Eli. It’s from your granddad.
Failure is only permanent if you quit.
Related links:
Six Ways to Turn Setbacks Into Comebacks
Master the Lesson
Feelings of Failure
When Things Go Wrong, Try, Try Again
Is a Career in Sales Right for You?
How to Prepare for the On-Site Interview
The Fly Jock, Tom Joyner, A Radio First
A warm, tingling sensation filled my chest as I responded to my father’s words of congratulations: “Thanks, Dad. Happy Father’s Day to you, man.”
After being on the phone for a few minutes longer, my father and I said our good-byes. As I stood there, in the middle of our kitchen, looking down at the bundle of endless potential in my arms, the sensation in my chest started to get more intense.
“I promise with all that is in me to be a good dad and to show you how to be a good man.”
Unable to really focus his eyes, Mekhi Eli, my one month old son, looked up at me as if to say: “You had better. I’m counting on you to lead the way.” Then with a stretch and a yawn, it was back to sleep for my little man.
As I contemplated various things to teach my son, I thought about how grateful I am for the myriad of lessons my father taught me. I wouldn’t be half the man I am had it not been for him. But there is one lesson, for which I am extremely appreciative, that stands apart from the others.
This lesson wasn’t intentionally taught. It was accidental. It wasn’t a conversation or shining example of what to do. It was a mistake- a costly mistake. There are things, however, that are seldom learned unless a mistake is made.
In case you can’t tell, I have much respect for my father. He was my childhood hero so, I took it pretty hard when he and my mom were divorced. But that was nothing compared to what was coming.
When I was 15 he told me something that was absolutely devastating. He told me that he was addicted to crack cocaine.
I remember standing there in complete disbelief thinking to myself: “My Dad is smokin’ rocks?! Naw…you’re not my father, you’re an imposter! Heroes don’t loose to the bad guys.”
Pain and confusion filled the air. I wanted to cry, but I couldn’t. Too much anger. Too much resentment.
For a few years he battled his addiction and I, along with my two little brothers and three little sisters, battled our emotions. Eventually, we all won.
The day my dad came up to me and said, “Son, I did it, I beat it, I’m clean!” I didn’t exactly greet him with open arms. Too much anger. Too much resentment.
But after awhile, admiration replaced anger, respect replaced resentment, and a priceless lesson replaced the pain. I have spoken and written about this lesson on numerous occasions.
Now matter what happens or what mistakes you make. Be it a bad grade, a bad interview, a bad relationship, bad credit, or just plain old bad decisions. If my father came back from that then you know you can come back from whatever.
So, here’s one of your first lessons, Mekhi Eli. It’s from your granddad.
Failure is only permanent if you quit.
Related links:
Six Ways to Turn Setbacks Into Comebacks
Master the Lesson
Feelings of Failure
When Things Go Wrong, Try, Try Again
Is a Career in Sales Right for You?
How to Prepare for the On-Site Interview
The Fly Jock, Tom Joyner, A Radio First
A Lesson on Leadership from Jackie Robinson
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”-Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson
Yesterday, Sunday, April the 15th, was the 60th anniversary of an exceptional act of leadership that has left an indelible mark on history. Jackie Robinson became the first African-American major league baseball player.
Drifting into reverie while watching the ball games on Sunday, I wondered what it would be like to be a trendsetter of that magnitude.
How would it feel to be a leader that has affected the lives millions and millions to come? What do you say to yourself when you know you’ve taken a swing at history, caught a ball for the future, and rounded the bases for the ages?
You simply say that there is still more to be done and most importantly, you do it.
Thank God that Jackie Robinson didn’t think like many who say: “I did what I was supposed to do. It’s somebody else’s turn.”
Leadership is not about one time; it’s about as many times as possible.
A prominent business man and political activist, Jackie Robinson was a key leader in the establishment of the African-American owned and controlled Freedom Bank. In his syndicated newspaper column, he was an outspoken advocate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement. To a lesser degree, he also supported Al-Hajj Malik al-Shabazz better known as Malcolm X.
Leadership is not about what you do in the spotlight, it’s about what you do on the spot.
Jackie Robinson showed courage and conviction long before he was in the spotlight. On July 6th 1944, more than a decade before Rosa Parks, his refused to conform to Jim Crow laws in the United States Army. Although his actions earned him a court marshal, he was later found not guilty of insubordination and was honorably discharged.
Leadership is not about the awards or praise that you receive, it’s all about the deed.
Jackie Robinson received numerous awards in baseball, including the National League Most Valuable Player Award, and was the recipient of two of the most prestigious awards an individual can receive: a Congressional Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He didn’t do it for the awards, however, he did it for the deed. In fact, he received the last two awards posthumously.
When the quote that you read at the beginning of this article came to my mind, I had to ask myself, as you should ask yourself- What impact are you having on other lives?
Jackie Robinson’s lesson on leadership is simple. Do something to breakdown a barrier or carve out a path for someone else, not once, but as often as you can.
(For more lessons from Jackie Robinson, check out this article by fellow TBC columnist, Kim Wells. Lessons from Jackie Robinson)
Related Articles:
Jackie Robinson: Before Organized Baseball
Super Hero- Jackie Robinson
How to be Like Jackie Robinson
Crossing Color Lines and Fulfilling Dreams: Why Celebrate Black HistoryMonth?
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