Turbo Leadership Systems^™

Giving a gift to you

Jerry, service manager for a commercial heating and air conditioning service contractor, told Session 4 of Turbo’s Leadership Development Lab (LDL):

“In 1969 I started racing motorcycles. I was only 8 years old. I turned pro at 15 years old and retired at 21. Then I built a tube frame Alfa Romeo race car with my father. After six years of racing cars, I started racing mountain bikes. In 1989 I competed in the world championships at Mammoth Mountain, California, and finished 35th in the world in a field of 1200 riders.

“None of these accomplishments compare to my 13 years of stage set building for my kid’s school’s drama department. I build stage sets for their annual spring play, fall play, and the one -act plays every year. Visualize a 24’ x 24’ twostory stage mounted on 24 2” casters so it can easily rotate from scene to scene in a 360° revolution in the middle of the stage at George Fox University. There were four sides for four different screens, including the upstairs bedroom Huck Finn slept in and snuck out of.

“We built ‘visual masterpieces,’ not just a couple of walls with curtains like other schools. A few years ago we competed in the State Drama Competition where we finished first in the state. This is quite an achievement for a school with only 200 kids. In June 2012 when I retired from set building, I received a Lifetime Achievement Award for set building in the form of a ‘Golden Hammer’ which says ‘Honorary Thespian.’ Of all the trophies, plaques and other awards I have received over the years, this one means the most to me because I was being recognized for doing something extra, something special for my kids, their friends, and my home town’s local community.

“The lesson I have learned from this experience is real satisfaction comes from doing things that others can enjoy, going beyond my own selfinterest to serve others.

“The action I call you to take is find a way

to be of unselfish service, find the joy that comes from making others happy, bringing joy into the lives of others. Make this the measure of your successes. It’s okay to be all about you at times, but accomplishments you achieve while giving to others will, in the long run, give you a greater sense of achievement and personal satisfaction.

“The benefit you will gain is a deep understanding of the true fact that giving of your time and talents will outweigh receiving any gift that only rewards you.”

The late management expert Peter Drucker asked in one of his books, “Where are more people employed than any other sector in our society?” The answer may shock you – volunteerism. This compulsion to serve our neighbor, community church, and professional associations is uniquely American. How will you be gifting your community this year?

“No one person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.”

- Calvin Coolidge

ENSURE 2013 STARTS WITH A ROAR! End your year on a high and leverage the exciting promise of the New Year. We will tailor a program for you that will guarantee your year ends on a high note and you will rocket forward with high octane into 2013.

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