Stephen is the CEO of Predictive ROI and the host of the Onward
Nation podcast. He is the author of two bestselling books, speaker,
trainer, and his digital marketing insights have been featured in
SUCCESS, Entrepreneur, The Washington Post, Forbes, Inc. Magazine,
and other media.
Good Morning Onward Nation -- I'm Stephen Woessner. It is an
honor to be with you here this morning, and my hope for you is that
this week -- the final week of April 2016 -- has brought you
happiness, that this week has also brought you success, that this
week has brought you opportunity, that this week has brought you
some challenges that have pushed you to expand your knowledge -- to
learn new things -- and most of all -- I hope during this week --
and right now specifically -- you will give yourself the time to
consciously consider whether or you have given you and your team
the FREEDOM TO FAIL.
Yes...you heard me right. I said the FREEDOM TO
FAIL.
It is fascinating to me how the word failure has become all the
rage -- almost a buzzword or mantra -- and is being used by
personal development gurus, digital marketing consultants, business
leaders, to politicians. But these three simple words --
FREEDOM TO FAIL -- have a completely different meaning to
me because of my experience this past weekend.
I spent Saturday at West Point...the United States Military
Academy in New York State. To say that spending the day at West
Point was a life-changing experience would be a significant
understatement.
I was in awe.
My pride as an American citizen soared. The honor I felt since
serving our country in the Air Force was taken to a whole new
level. And to top it off...I was able to share the experience with
a group of friends who we affectionately refer to ourselves as the
Circle of Greatness.
At the center of our group -- our founder father so to speak --
the man who pulled us all together, first to meet one another, and
then to develop some wonderful friendships, is Don Yaeger.
I hear me mention Don in nearly every episode of Onward Nation
because he has been one of my most influential mentors, my weekly
accountability partner, and has become one of my closest
friends.
Three years ago, Don decided to organize a group of people who
have had a significant impact on his life from both a professional
and personal perspective. Don's wife, Jeanette began referring to
us as Don's Circle of Greatness...an appropriate moniker
since researching and studying the topic of "Greatness"
has become Don's passion and life's work. In fact, one of the books
Don author is entitled, "The 16 Characteristics of Greatness."
There are about 30 of us in the Circle -- and this weekend -- 20
of us were able to make it to New York City for a weekend together.
All of which was masterfully orchestrated by Jeanette Yaeger, Don's
wife. Jeanette -- if you are listening -- thank you so much, my
friend. You are beyond amazing!!!
One of the members of our Circle is Colonel Bernard Banks,
professor and department head of behavioral sciences and leadership
at West Point. Colonel Banks invited all of us to West Point to
spend the day as his guest and to learn about the values and
leadership development process they apply to create our nation's
next military leaders. When we all read that West Point was on the
agenda for the weekend...we were all excited for the lessons that
were about to come our way and extremely grateful that such an
uncommon opportunity came our way.
To be the guest of Colonel Banks -- at West Point -- for the
day...are you kidding me? Incredible!
Onward Nation, being at West Point was one of the most
intimidating -- inspirational -- and humbling experiences of my
professional career.
So for today's solocast...I am going to share with you the major
highlights -- the core lessons -- that I learned from the cadets
who guided us through the breathtaking campus -- and the leadership
lessons Colonel Banks shared with us during a private leadership
class with just our "Circle."
So buckle in, Onward Nation...I promise...this discussion will
help you move your leadership development process within your
business to the next level.
"http://onwardnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Cadet-Prayer-1024x804.jpg"
alt="Cadet Prayer" width="1024" height="804" />
I want to start off this first leadership lesson by sharing
something that is deeply personal among all of the cadets at West
Point. And it goes like this...
"Make us choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong
and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be
won."
What I just read to you is know as the Cadet Prayer. Anyone can
see it -- read it -- as they enter the academy. It is proudly
displayed inside the Thayer Hotel at the entrance to West
Point.
The prayer also embodies the Cadet's honor code, which reads,
"A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who
do."
When I thought deeply about both of these powerful statements --
these core values -- I was taken back to
"http://onwardnation.com/larry-broughton/">episode 18 of Onward
Nation and my powerful conversation with Larry Broughton.
During our conversation -- it was Larry -- who first taught me the
Cadet Prayer -- in fact, he recited it during our interview. After
all these years...the Cadet Prayer was still his mantra -- the
creed by which Larry lives each day and how he leads his
company.
Larry had learned it during his 9 years of service in the US
Army Green Berets. So to read it at West Point brought me full
circle and reaffirmed how important it is that we honor our core
values -- that we as leaders personally stand for something our
employees and customers can believe in -- and that our business
lives our core values every day -- just like the cadets and faculty
at West Point do. Day in and day out.
"http://onwardnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Patton-2-768x1024.jpg"
alt="Patton 2" width="768" height="1024" />
Leadership Lesson #1 also involves honoring our history because
our past is critical to our future success. Our ability to study
the failures, the challenges, the tribulations, and the triumphs of
leaders who have gone before us -- and then applying what we have
learned -- will almost assuredly accelerate our own
accomplishments.
At West Point, when you walk around campus, you will see
statues, monuments, and buildings dedicated to our country's
greatest military and political leaders -- as well as the conflicts
and wars where they lead.
Why?
So our cadets -- this country's future leaders -- have an
opportunity to be reminded of what has already been learned so that
experience, wisdom, and perspective can become their guide
throughout their own leadership development process.
Our Circle members were able to see first-hand how seriously the
cadets at West Point take leadership. And I was reminded of this
quote.
"There are no bad crews -- only bad leaders." -- United
States Navy Seals
Even though that mantra -- that purpose -- was created and used
by the Navy Seals...it was evident the West Point cadets believed
its message throughout their corps of cadets.
When we arrived at West Point, we were greeted by three cadets
and Colonel Banks waiting outside the Thayer Hotel. The cadets were
in charge of escorting us from the hotel to the athletic complex so
we could watch the opening ceremony and the Special Olympics
competition taking place.
Every year, West Point hosts the largest Special Olympics
competition in New York State, and the cadets play a very active
role in service to the Olympians. An amazing site to see.
"http://onwardnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Briefing-2-768x1024.jpg"
alt="Briefing 2" width="768" height="1024" />
Our cadets briefed us on the logistics and schedule of the day
with precision. We had a lot of places to be and not much time in
each location. Plus, there were 20 of us to keep track of. Not an
easy task.
But, the cadets were prepared with every detail. It was evident
they didn't just show up to be our guides for the day because
Colonel Banks had asked them to...or because Don Yaeger also serves
as a senior fellow at West Point. The cadets had studied, they had
planned, and they were ready to help us make this a day to
remember.
The cadets also served as our historians for the day. They
taught us about the pivotal role West Point had played during the
Revolutionary War including the story of Benedict Arnold and the
plan he and the British had conspired to create with the goal of
capturing General George Washington during his visit to West
Point.
Our cadets also took the time to explain -- and -- to take us
inside the day and life of a cadet. They shared their passion --
their desire -- to ultimately receive the reward of active duty
status in the Army upon graduation. Amazing.
West Point is home to 4,400 cadets who all share the same
passion, drive, and determination to become prepared to serve our
country as military leaders and beyond.
Our cadets -- all of the cadets -- are an extraordinary group of
people and I look forward to my next opportunity to visit West
Point and learn more leadership lessons from them.
I mentioned a few minutes ago how West Point, its faculty, and
its corps of cadets host New York State's largest Special Olympics
competition every year. Why? Because Leadership Lesson
#3 that I learned at West Point is about seeking out
opportunities to serve and encourage others.
To illustrate how the cadets not only serve -- but encourage --
I included a short 30-second video of the cadets and several
Special Olympians during the javelin competition.
As I watched the Olympians and the genuine, authentic
encouragement and love they received from their cadets -- I was
moved. It was such an emotional experience to see a group of young
men fully focused, devoted, and present for their mission for the
day. And they did their duty -- not out of responsibility because
they had been assigned -- but as you will see in the video -- they
did their duty because they loved performing the service. They were
overjoyed to celebrate the successes of the Special Olympians.
Onward Nation, our cadets, actively seek out opportunities to
serve and encourage each other -- and they are also committed to
living these values outside of West Point as an example of
excellence. West Point's upperclassmen mentor, coach, and lead
their underclassmen -- not by yelling, hazing, or by rank.
Instead...and this may seem counterintuitive when thinking about
the United States Army...but the cadets "hug" and then "push" each
other. They hug and then push. Each cadet -- along with the faculty
of this impressive campus -- is there to serve one another to help
every one growth, develop, and become the leader they were meant to
become.
Plus, as we later learned from Colonel Banks, many of these
4,400 cadets will serve and work alongside one another for decades
into the future. They will be forever bonded by service and
encouragement to each other and to their core values.
So it was a very special sight to see the cadets live their
values -- in how they treat each other -- and how they stand
shoulder-to-shoulder with their Special Olympians to serve and
encourage.
What an incredible display to have the privilege to witness.
During our day at West Point, Colonel Banks surprised us by
inviting us into his classroom for a private leadership session. He
asked if he could take some time to share and illustrate to us West
Point's three stage leadership development process as well as the
curriculum cadets need to master before they can graduate and
become officers in the United States Army. West Point created --
then applies -- an intentional process for leader development. The
faculty at West Point believes that great leaders are developed --
it doesn't happen by accident.
Colonel Banks began by sharing that leaders first need to
inspire the people around them every day. As you will see and hear
Colonel Banks say, "The English word 'inspire' comes from the
Latin word 'inspirare,' which means to breathe. Leaders have the
opportunity to help others take the next breath in their journey.
Many times, we, as leaders, are the ones who make people feel as if
they cannot breathe. Research has indicated that 75 percent of all
employees report that the most stressful part of their job is their
immediate supervisor. The research is quite clear. People don't
quit the company. Your people quit you. And so that's the
opportunity you have every day -- to help your people take that
next breath -- to inspire them -- to live their life in a better
way."
Challenge:
Variety:
Assessment:
Support:
+
+
= Leader of Character
But this leader development process would not be possible
without two critical foundational philosophies...and those
are...cadets must be given the FREEDOM TO FAIL and cadets must be
clear on WHO OWNS THE EXPERIENCE.
If cadets are not given the freedom to fail -- to make their own
decisions based on what they have learned from other cadets and
faculty -- then they will never learn. Instead, West Point will
have created cadet robots and not leaders who can think under
extreme pressures and situations. However, if they are given the
freedom to fail and then mentored on the path to improved
performance -- mastery can be reached and excellence obtained.
Colonel Banks told us that they are in the business of tearing
muscle with purpose -- so that it can be rebuilt and it becomes
stronger where the initial tear was. Awesomeness.
"http://onwardnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Classroom-1024x809.jpg"
alt="Classroom" width="1024" height="809" />
And the cadets know they own the experience. They are not alone
in their journey -- they have all of the resources of West Point
available to them -- but ultimately, success or failure is their
responsibility. No excuses. No pointing fingers. They own the
experience. Impactful lessons taught at an institution I am so
proud to have been able to visit and spend time at in such a deep
and meaningful way.
Colonel Banks...if you are listening...thank you so very much
for generously sharing your expertise and wisdom with us -- we are
all so grateful.
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned from Don is
something he learned during the 12-years of one-on-one mentorship
with the late Coach John Wooden. Coach taught Don that he would
never outperform the people he spent the most time with. In fact,
the people you spend the most time with -- in effect -- become your
inner circle. So, you need to protect your inner circle by being
very selective and deliberate about who gets access into your
circle.
Don practices this lesson with precision. How?
"http://onwardnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Walking-tour-1024x576.jpg"
alt="Walking tour" width="1024" height="576" />
Don investing the time and energy to create our Circle of
Greatness is an excellent, tangible example of being
deliberate with Coach Wooden's strategy. And I encourage you to
take the same lesson out of Coach Wooden's playbook.
So Onward Nation, my challenge to you is to think about who you
spend the most time with. Are they moving at the same, or even
better yet, a faster pace and tempo then you? Are they doing things
in their life or business that challenge your own perspectives of
what is possible? Are they growing personally and professionally in
ways that push your comfort zone? If so -- good -- these are people
you should spend more time with.
Or, are they content with life and not learning anything new?
Are they so full of potential but don't seek out any new ways to
apply their talents and gifts?
One of our guests shared a metaphor with me that I thought was
perfect...and it was this...let's say you walked into your house
and found Superman with his boots kick up on your ottoman and he
was laying down on your couch, eating a bowl of ice cream and some
cookies, while vegging and watching TV. And let's say that he had
been doing that for days to where it became a habit for him. Would
you look at Superman and think to yourself, "Rock solid
awesome...way to go Superman." Or, would you think to
yourself… "What in the world are you doing...you should be out
saving the planet! Stop wasting your potential."
Onward Nation, my hope is that you will begin to think carefully
about each person in your inner circle. Ask yourself...are they
headed in the same direction as you?
If not, you need to make changes so the people closest to you
become your own version of a Circle of Greatness. We all need a
Circle of Greatness in our lives to "hug and push us" to that next
level -- just like the West Point cadets do for each other.
So with that...I want to thank you again for taking the time to
be here with me today. It is an honor to have you here -- thank you
for tuning in -- I am delighted you chose this episode to be what
you listen to, study, and take with you on your morning run, or
maybe Onward Nation has become part of your daily commute, or in
some other way has become part of your morning routine.
However our daily podcast fits into your daily routine -- I want
you to know how much I appreciate you sharing some of your
invaluable 86,400 seconds you have in your day with me and the
strategies we learn and share each day from today's top business
owners.
And please continue to let me know what you think of Onward
Nation...good or bad...I always want your feedback. My direct email
address is
"mailto:stephen@onwardnation.com">stephen@onwardnation.com --
and yes -- that is my actual Inbox. No fancy filters or filing
system and I read and reply to every single email.
So please let me know how you think we are doing. I look forward
to hearing from you.
We will be back tomorrow with an incredible encore interview
with Dave Denniston, host of the Freedom Formula for Physicians
podcast. You will not want to miss this discussion, Onward
Nation!
Until then, onward with gusto!
