It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
Currently, I'm exploring different leadership quotes on this blog post, and pulling out some application for all of us. This is part of my personal journey to keep growing, learning and being stretched! Join me each Tuesday at 2:00pm (PST). It will take you just a few minutes to read through the 2 sections of this post, but don't miss the final section where I share some of the things I'm reading, listening to and enjoying this week.
Russ
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
"My fruit grows on other people's trees" Bob Buford
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
I recently published this quote from Adam Grant:
"The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed."
My friend Connie then sent the quote from Bob Buford in response to that, and I love the word picture of this.
Outside my office, I have a Kumquat tree. You might not even know what a Kumquat is, but it's a small bite-sized citrus fruit with a real tart/tangy taste. When these are ripe on this tree, I'll eat one each time I walk past the tree.
When Connie shared the quote, I just looked at this tree. I looked at the amount of fruit hanging from the branches. Some of the Kumquats were ripe, others were still green and getting ready.
Think about this idea:
Your "INFLUENCE" and your "IMPACT" is "BEARING FRUIT" in other peoples lives.
Sometimes we stop and look at our lives and wonder if we've really made a difference, and we're looking at ourselves.
When you look beyond yourself to others that you've had the privilege to journey with, that is where you'll see the fruit.
Can you see fruit in others lives? Who comes to your mind when I mention this idea? What do you see in their lives and how did you help that fruit to grow?
DEEPER STILL:
I just spent a week with an incredible group of global leaders and coaches, and during these days I not only saw some fruit that I had planted and helped grow, but I saw the evidence of influence in so many lives.
With this quote swimming around in my head, I found it encouraging to track some of the stories of people investing in others and then enjoying the "fruit".
John 15:5 talks about Jesus' connection to the fruit in our lives:
"I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing." (MSG)
While you are busy investing in others lives through coaching, mentoring and community, don't forget that Jesus wants us to bear fruit as well, and when we walk with Him, we will bear fruit.
What an image of the vine and the grapes in John 15. God wants us to bear fruit and He tells us how to do that. Let's start there and then help others to connect to the Vine as well.
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
I enjoyed this podcast from Guy Raz on How I Built This with Matt Mullenweg, the founder of WordPress & Automattic.
Spent some time in this classic leadership book that has something for everyone: How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
Got to spend the week with a good friend and great photographer, Char Beck. If you ever need a great photographer in the Pacific Northwest or anywhere on the planet, check him out. He's the real deal.
If you ever find yourself in Chatsworth, Georgia (yes, it's a little off the beaten path) be sure to check out The Biscuit Box. I'm a fan and will return for some great southern hospitality!
Alejandro Sanz did an MTV Unplugged (live) album in 2001. It's really good.