The Blues Brothers were Roman Catholic fundraisers
Just like me.
-spoiler alert- The entire movie is about how these two misfits try to raise an honest $5,000 ($20,000 in 2010 dollars ) to save the orphanage that they grew up in.
To quote Joliet Jake "we're on a mission from God".
Keith Ferazzi's book "Never Eat Alone" is an international best seller. It's his most famous book. But it's the less glamorous follow up book "Who's Got Your Back" that I find indispensable when working with young professionals. Among my mentors and the successful leaders I've studied there is a strong personal network. But there is also a secret partner, the voice of reason who helps us stay grounded in reality when all those around us have other motives. Who's got my back?
His name is Thomas Tran.
He is objective, cool, calm, thoughtful, methodical. As Zen as a human can get.
All the things I struggle with and maybe never will be.
Sure we are very good friends. He's been involved in every caper I've ever gone on. He's the godfather of my first child.
He's the ultimate networker, he lives in the service of others and yet he seeks no recognition. He actively rejects recognition.
A thousand people consider him their personal touchstone - listening is his currency.
I can't count the times he's said the following words that would be an insult coming from anyone else:
"You're being hot-headed" "You're moving on this too quick, consider the alternatives" "Don't do this. I mean it. Don't do this." "You know you're wrong. You're being an idiot." "It's none of your business, there's nothing you can do and nothing you should do"
And every time I do what he says not to, and end up hurt or embarrassed he doesn't say "I told you so", he helps but he says "you made your bed friend. Now sleep in it overnight and learn this lesson".
So. Who is your Joliet Jake, Elmwood or Tom?
Your sounding board, your voice of reason who knows you better than yourself.
A few years ago he shared a concept called "leading without title". Something that really stuck with me as many in my network struggle with what is still a "command and control" hierarchical world of work.
His brand new book, "The Leader Who Had No Title" has brilliantly illustrated the concept in fable format. I finished it today - a truly enjoyable read which shares this truly practical but life-changing concept. It left me very thoughtful.
Recently, more books and people have been helping me to understand the real world challenges of working in a leadership role. My eyes have been opened to appreciating where I am and how to work and lead from "the middle" rather than "the top".
Today I was working in Collingwood Ontario. Have you been there recently?! They have JUST I mean just today finished about a year's worth of work downtown (getting ready for the International Elvis Festival of course). I can't tell you how beautiful it is. If you haven't been in a while, go for a drive and visit.
I was sitting in a lawyer's office before a meeting and had this thing up on the wall called "Desiderata". I have read over 200 business books. This 100 year old poem is heavy, thoughtful, good advice. Read it below but what really stood out for me was "Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time."
However humble.
Like so many professionals, I tricked myself for so long, thinking that there is more control and more ability to influence from the top with an "important" title. Thanks to my current leader, many mentors and the great Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Sharma - I finally get it.
I can lead, make change, help others, help my mission, from anywhere.
What if something you do every day could generate a donation to help AIDS in Africa? With NO work on your part? Why would you not do that?
So it's no secret, I spend a lot of time networking in Starbucks.
Not the $6 latte stuff, just plain $2.21 Americano coffees ( no more eating donuts every day!! )
I hope you're reading this because you're a fellow junkie/patron.
Together we can use this daily habit/addiction to help others.
How?
So, it's no secret also, that I work in philanthropy (fundraising, for the layperson).
If you switch to the "Starbucks Red" card for your prepaid use every purchase will generate 5 cents for Project Red to help people with AIDS in Africa.
It's something you're doing anyway, as a time saver if you want to switch to a RED card and there are none at your local Starbucks ( they go quickly at some ) I have scored about 100 full size and keychain size cards. I have also put $5 randomly on ten of them and will send you one or more in the mail if you use it and if possible share this message with others.
No disrespect to Tim Horton's. I still do a ton of business in there and if I'm on the road it's Tims ( because there are no Starbucks drive-through's downtown. Curse you 905!! ).
To all lawyers and financial planners who converted me ( not to mention visiting Los Angeles where it's the only place to get a decent cup of coffee ) - thank you.
WARNING: This will be by far my most juvenile blog post to date.
My personal journey for the past few years has been to understand what "leadership" is all about, why do I think I want to commit to it and what could I possibly contribute?
It's been a lot of reading and even more face to face meetings with leaders in business, community, faith and not-for-profit as well as mentoring by those ahead of me at various levels. Just finished a great book by the prolific John C. Maxwell about "living and leading from the middle".
And then last week it was like the window I've been peering through for years was smashed...
I have many wise, thoughtful mentors who have walked with me for the better part of the last decade. But Darren was a peer just a few steps ahead of me. Dedicated to pursuing his own opportunity to serve...like me.
Recently things changed and he is every bit the leader I hope to be; leading without title, empowering and relying on his team, dealing with the challenges of leadership like a human being who understands that he manages human beings. Not machines.
Listening to his reflections on real daily challenges in a language I understood I had the deepest most profound insight into this world I thought I knew.
Then, at that point. I started to think about...um.... Transformers.
I need help. I know. Darren had been reading, listening, thinking, waiting and praying for twice as long as I had and it was astounding to hear the wisdom he had accumulated. His journey until his transition and then the change that had taken place in the short time since.
I finally realized how massive this transition needs to be and....
Crap. Transformers again.
You see, the first time I ever considered the concept of leadership was watching someone I knew ascend to this level of responsibility - I was ten. His name was "Hot Rod".A carefree, young, brash character was called to leadership. Right in front of my eyes he changed (with killer 80's music in the background) and was a totally new person - instantly.
Thoughtful, wise, patient - his new name... "Rodimus Prime".
Look, it's an 1980's kids cartoon, they keep it simple.
Here is a picture of the toy Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime before and after his change.
See the difference?
What an odd way of showing kids that massive life change is required of leaders.
Something I guess I took to heart.
Destroying the "looking glass" like Darren did, allowed me not just to see through but to ask direct questions about the life of a leader, and it changed my world.
A hundred sessions about, management, board expectations, staff development, strategic planning and leadership came to life in a few conversations about what these things mean when your number is called.
It gave me a better understanding and appreciation for every "boss" and leader I've ever served at work and in life. It is certainly fun to continue the networking adventures of a hot rod but it's good to finally understand what that change I witnessed at ten years old really means in the world of adults. That change certainly in not instant but every day can contribute to that transition!
Thanks Darren for being the kind of leader to openly share. You inspire with your candour, integrity and generosity.
Thanks Hasbro for branding these crazy ideas into my head. Even if you made a terrible new set of Transformer movies.
Now, can I help YOU find the Darren in your sector or industry?
Can YOU be a Darren for another? Could I help facilitate that meeting?
Can I help YOU make your transition from Hot Rod above to Rodimus Prime? Let me know, make contact. Stay in touch.
Today I met a Chilean Hoff, an actor by profession as well. A young loner by the name of Carlos Diaz. The opening lines of the show fuel my passion to make a difference in this world: "Knight Rider. A shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a man who does not exist. Michael Knight, a young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless, in a world of criminals who operate above the law". I may say this on the way to work every day - don't you judge me!
How is Carlos like Michael? Yes he has good hair - but he's on a personal crusade to help the land of his birth in what has been a pretty much overlooked tragedy in Chile - a devastating earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale. The 7th most powerful earthquake ever recorded worldwide and the worst national Chilean disaster in over 50 years. Damage to infrastructure was extensive and many towns were almost completely destroyed by the earthquake or both the earthquake and tsunami related waves that crashed inland on coastal towns. Five months after the quake, thousands are still homeless and homes need to be built to get them back on their feet and out of the current cold winter months. Like the great and wondrous Hoff, Carlos is going big.
He's already raised over $7,000 and he's going to hit $40,000 with your help on July 21. Not only that but after his event he's going to GO to Chile and film a documentary about the event and what our funds are doing to help.
One of my favourite quotes states that "courage is not the ability to ignore or not feel fear but the ability to acknowledge that something else is more important".
On my networking travels I meet peers of incredible courage.
Two such people remind me of one of my favourite movies of all time. A film virtually no one has ever seen. It stars a few big names, includes a big ship like the Titanic, incredible music ( not that symphonic garbage ) - Jazz and Big Band.
The character in this movie can't leave the ship he's born on.
I have a ton of networking courage, but I just can't leave this city I love.
These two fundraisers, who I have a ton of respect and warmth towards are making big moves. In fact....they're trading places!
Paul Thorne and Kelly Trickett have paid their dues in the fundraising world. They are professionals, through and through.
Paul in the world of annual and major giving. He's a Linchpin by every definition of the word (and holds a dark secret - he's a Jedi master of Microsoft Excel. A most coveted talent in any sector ). Paul will soon travel to Vancouver from Toronto.
Kelly in the planned giving world is walking gold. She's not only paid her dues as a fundraiser but has that rare experience managing estates and the many vehicles that mystify so many peers. Kelly will soon travel to Toronto from Vancouver.
They both have some prospects in their designated landing cities but I'd much rather someone in my network steal these two sharp, thoughtful, strategic and frankly stellar human beings before they get lost in big shops.
Will you be that smart charity?
Funny story, I haven't introduced them to each other. Until now.
Kelly, meet Paul T. Paul T meet Kelly.
You are two courageous professionals. I have told you before that I admire and derive courage just from knowing about your brave leaps.
If you don't know these two, help me to welcome them when they hit your town.
Until then, I'll continue my adventures in networking. You go watch 1900.
The Blues Brothers were Roman Catholic fundraisers 
All the things I struggle with and maybe never will be.
