Beyond the Boardroom: What Real Leadership Looks Like
Your Weekly Dose of Inspirational Growth
FEBRUARY 22, 2024 | Volume I, Issue 7
Forward Friday is all about reflecting over the past week and leaping forward into the next, all the while honoring our present state. You can expect three lessons I learned over the past week, two amazing people to follow, and one action step for your consideration.
Beyond the Boardroom: What Real Leadership Looks Like
In April of 2023, Ryan faced a stark prognosis: brain cancer with just six weeks to live. Amid this life-altering news, he clung to a deeply personal goal—to return to the Simplot Track and Field Games, a competition that defined his high school athletic career. Now at 26, Ryan’s resilience shines as a beacon of hope and determination. This year, with his doctor’s approval, Ryan made his triumphant return to Simplot, a full-circle moment that speaks volumes about his journey.
During our encounter at the games, I had the privilege of delving deeper into Ryan’s story. I asked him about the sacrifices he had to make to redefine success in the shadow of such adversity, and about those who infused strength and support into his life. The conversation, captured in an attached video, is simple yet profound, echoing the universal truths about what truly matters in life.
This narrative is not just Ryan’s; it’s a reflection for all of us, particularly for leaders navigating the complexities of the corporate world. It’s a poignant reminder to reassess what we carry, the relationships we cherish, and the unyielding spirit required to pursue our passions against all odds. As we embark on this edition of Forward Friday, let Ryan’s story inspire us to examine our own lives, to trim the excess, and to breathe life into the environments and communities we are a part of. Watch the video
Three Resilient Leadership Insights From Ryan’s Story
2. Build Support Relationship Systems: Ryan’s reflections on friendship and support systems shine a light on the fundamental importance of authentic relationships in the workplace. Beyond the veneer of professional success—measured in likes, follows, or even financial milestones—lies the real metric of leadership: the strength of the bonds formed with those we journey with. As C-suite executives, this underscores the critical role of fostering a culture of mutual support, where success is shared, and challenges are collectively navigated. It’s about building teams that are not just efficient but are resilient, connected by shared values and unwavering support for one another.
3. Pursuit Beyond Adversity: Ryan’s relentless pursuit of his passions, despite the adversities, is a powerful allegory for the resilience required in the world of business. Leadership is often a test of endurance, where the ability to persevere through setbacks defines success. Like Ryan, we as leaders are tasked with confronting challenges head-on, leveraging our “new normal mindset” to forge paths toward innovation and achievement. It’s a testament to the power of determination, the ability to see beyond immediate obstacles, and remain steadfast in the pursuit of one’s goals.
I knew Ryan as an athlete and coached with his coach. It was great to see him.
Two People to Follow
Dr. Avis Jones DeWeever is a force. Not a force to be reckoned with…just a force. Not a force of nature…just a force. She teaches Black women entrepreneurs in service industries how to develop high-ticket and ultrahigh- ticket offers, implement high profile media and marketing methods, and close sales like a BOSS. When the pandemic hit and I had to turn to outbound marketing, I stumbled upon this ‘force’. Within one month I was closing deals. But more importantly, I was helping a population that needed my message, and I needed them. She is the real deal and I get to call her one of my #FabFive. Dr. Avis’s website: dravismentoring.com
Ford Saeks is a force. Ha! Yes, I would say Ford is one of the smartest guys I know when it comes to marketing. I actually would love to see Ford and Dr. Avis locked in a room for an hour. I can’t imagine what would come out of that place. Ford is all about Business Growth Acceleration. He is a franchise keynote speaker and he is always ahead of the curve. Last year when this new thing called, “ChatGPT” was coming out, he told everyone in the mastermind to put everything on hold because this was the next disruption in the market. He is a wizard at helping B2B and B2C Brands. Ford’s website: profitrichresults.com
Upcoming in March 2024
10 Week Deep Dive into my Book 10 Power Stories to Impact Any Leader: Journal Your Way to Leadership Success.
Every Sunday at 6:00 – 6:20am MT, I will go through one chapter of the book with my highlighted observations. More information coming soon. If you want to be part of this deep dive purchase the book here.
One Action Step: Leap Forward
Reach Out to Key Stakeholders: Make a list of key customers, partners, and team members. Plan to reach out to them over the next week with personalized communications, expressing gratitude for their support and seeking feedback on how you can serve them better. I am making a list of everyone who hired me from my 1099’s. And, I am creating an opportunity to say thank you, again. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us! What you wanted to hear the most was leadership challenges and solutions and the power of resilience in our personal and professional lives.
Stay connected, I’d love to hear from you. Connect with me on social media to stay updated on my latest adventures and insights. Just follow the links at the bottom of this newsletter.
My most requested speech topic is, “Amputate to Amplify: How to Transform Adversity Into Advantage.” See my New video MindSET to MindSIGHT. Do you have an event that you would like me to speak at, or do you have a referral you can suggest? Please send us a note.
Go forth and inspire your world,
— JR
Important Links:
Do you have a story to share or a person to highlight please share with me at newsletter@johnregister.com.
Have an event coming up? Let’s talk, send me an email at letschat@johnregister.com or call me at 719-357-6833.
Download my one-page Speaker Sheet | see me on stage.
Adversity to Advantage Newsletter: Amputate to Amplify: Inspire – Impact – Transcend
Forward Friday: Reflecting Back, Leaping Forward
Your Weekly Dose of Inspirational Growth
FEBRUARY 16, 2024 | Volume I, Issue 6
Another day of learning awakes us all. As we navigate the challenging seas of leadership, our compass must always point toward growth, innovation, and resilience. This week, I share insights that are not just observations but the very pillars upon which we can build empires resilient to the ebb and flow of business dynamics.
Three Leadership Insights: Reflecting Back
- Innovation and Creativity — The lifeblood of any thriving organization is its capacity to innovate and create. In a world where change is the only constant, fostering a culture that encourages thinking outside the box is essential. Innovation isn’t just about new products; it’s about redefining your approach to problem-solving and being adaptable in the face of adversity.
- Customer Experience and Engagement — The cornerstone of sustained growth lies in how well we understand and engage with our customers. Excellence in customer experience is not a luxury but a necessity. It’s about creating meaningful interactions at every touchpoint, ensuring that every engagement adds value, and strengthens the relationship.
- Data Analytics and Insights — In the age of information, data is your most valuable asset. Leveraging analytics provides a clearer understanding of market trends, customer behaviors, and operational efficiency. It empowers decision-making, ensuring that strategy is informed by evidence rather than conjecture.
Two People to Follow
Diana Kander and I have shared the speaking platform at least once. She is one of those speakers who, yes, you just stay in the room because she is just that good. A beacon of curiosity, Diana teaches us the power of questions. Her work, including Go Big or Go Home, The Curiosity Muscle, and All In Startup, illustrates the profound impact of seeking better answers and solutions. From Diana, we learn that growth is fueled by curiosity, pushing us to explore beyond the horizon. Visit her website: dianakander.com
Bonnie St. John was the first person who gifted to me how to serve clients in this business as a professional speaker. She is a Rhode Scholar and the first Black American of African descent to win a medal in downhill skiing…and…on one leg! She remains a confidant of mine. Bonnie’s resilience teaches us the value of recovery and persistence. Her literature, such as Micro-Resilience, How Great Women Lead, and Live Your Joy, shares insights into overcoming setbacks and enhancing personal and professional growth. Bonnie exemplifies that true champions are those who rise swiftly after a fall. Visit her website: bonniestjohn.com
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One Action Step: Leap Forward
Work Your Plan: This week’s insight is a reminder of the power of persistence. Even when progress seems slow, trust in your strategy and keep pushing forward. The growth path is often a marathon, not a sprint. Your commitment to your plan will navigate you through stagnant waters into the realms of success.
Stay connected, I’d love to hear from you. Connect with me on social media to stay updated on my latest adventures and insights. Just follow the links at the bottom of this newsletter.
Do you have an event that you would like me to speak at, or do you have a referral you can suggest? Please send us a note.
Have a wonderful weekend and see you next Friday!
Go forth and inspire your world,
— JR
Important Links:
Do you have a story to share or a person to highlight please share with me at newsletter@johnregister.com.
Have an event coming up? Let’s talk, send me an email at letschat@johnregister.com or call me at 719-357-6833.
Download my one-page Speaker Sheet | see me on stage.
Adversity to Advantage Newsletter: Amputate to Amplify: Inspire – Impact – Transcend
Podcast: Overcoming Headtrash & Challenges as a Leader
How I Turned the Corner Podcast
Overcoming Headtrash & Challenges as a Leader – An Interview With John Register, CSP
With host Kendra Prospero | Recorded: October 10, 2023
About this podcast:
From world-class athlete to amputee, join expert John Register, CSP as he shatters barriers, embraces a new vision, and guides business leaders to overcome fear and resistance in order to achieve success.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Unlock your potential by overcoming adversity and embracing a new mindset.
- Stay ahead in the global marketplace by adapting and flexing with changing trends.
- Experience the economic benefits of creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Gain a competitive advantage with diversity and inclusion initiatives that outperform the competition and tap into new labor markets.
- Embrace change and diversity to stay relevant in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.
- Our special guest on this episode is John Register.
Listen to the podcast interview on: YouTube | Google | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
Find the podcast on Turning the Corner
About John:
John Register is a renowned leadership coach and speaker with a wealth of expertise in empowering business professionals to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. As a former world-class athlete and combat army veteran, John’s journey is a testament to resilience and determination. After a severe accident resulted in the loss of his leg, John didn’t let adversity define him. Instead, he embarked on a remarkable path of personal and professional growth. He became a Paralympic swimmer and long jump silver medalist, showcasing his unwavering commitment to excellence. Not content with his own success, John established the Paralympic Military Sport Program, a groundbreaking initiative that harnesses the power of sports to aid in the rehabilitation of wounded service members. With his extensive knowledge and practical strategies, John helps leaders overcome challenges, conquer their fears, and embrace a new normal mindset. His insights and guidance serve as a catalyst for personal and organizational transformation.
16 Minutes with First Lady Michelle Obama! Part 3
MEETING #3 – 2 minutes
The First Lady was coming to Colorado to open up the Warrior Games an inter-service military sporting event hosted by Deloitte and the United States Olympic Committee for wounded ill and injured service members who serve in America’s Armed Forces. This year there was also an exhibition team from Great Britain.
Prior to Mrs. Obama’s speech at the Olympic Training Center she visited Hillside Community Center to say thank you to the volunteers who were making phone calls over the past weekend on behalf of the re-election campaign that past weekend.
[image-shortcode url=”https://johnregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/first-lady-part-03-01.jpg” size=”33″ caption=”The First Lady came by the Hillside Community Center to say thank you to hundreds of volunteers.”]As one of 35 Co-Chairs for OFA I was asked to warm up the volunteers who had been invited to a special “closed event” with the First Lady, as well as introduce the speakers on the program.
Again, very humbled an honored to do this.
Hillside Community Center in Colorado Springs serves a great need in Colorado Springs but was on the chopping block in the city budget cuts. I am glad the city has kept these doors open to many community members who live in House District 17.
After I finished the emceeing of the event on the main floor of the gymnasium Alice and I were taken upstairs to stand in line with about 60 people to meet Mrs. Obama. She entered the room and all eyes fixed on her. At 6 feet tall the First Lady has a commanding presence. But her humbleness and graciousness extends far above her stature.
I noticed how she took time to listen to each person that was presented to her as well as give them a big hug. I have been fortunate to meet four Presidents and none have been as outgoing as the Obama’s. That last comment does not have anything to do with how well they were or were not effective in office just how genuine a person is.
When it was our turn to meet the First Lady she remembered both Alice and me from the State dinner.
“Wasn’t that such a wonderful event! And John Legend was awesome. We’ll have to do that again sometime,” the First Lady said as she gave Alice a great big Momma Bear Hug.
I really hope we can do that again! I’m sure SHE will do it again – I just don’t know if we will get another invite! And, if we do, hopefully it will come to the right John Register! LoL
We took another photo with her and then were ushered downstairs by the secret service to hear her speak.
When she was announced to the eager volunteers the cheers in the little Hillside Community Center erupted into a frenzied pitch.
She took to the podium and…she took over the crowd.
I was scrambling trying to get my camera out and ready to take a photo when I overheard the First Lady say “And, let’s not forget Co-Chair John Register who has done a remarkable job.”
What…? Me? In her notes?
Leaders Lead By Example, Whether They Intend To Or Not
An excerpt from 212° Leadership by Mac Anderson Leaders lead by example, whether they intend to or not.
What example did you set today? When you lead by example, you engage your people to follow your vision… not by words, but by action. While you are measuring your employees’ performance, they are measuring how well you follow through on both your words and your deeds.
Think leading by example is only for top management? Think again. Whatever your position in your organization, the way you do your job…and the attitude with which you do it…determines the impact that you have.
I recently read a story by Mark Brown in the Chicago Sun-Times that really drives this point home. Mark wrote about a Chicago-area mailman, Mike Martinez, who passed away at the age of 50, but left a lasting impression by the example he set:
“Mike was a heckuva nice guy who knew everyone on his route by name and always greeted them with a smile, a wave and some friendly chitchat.
“He was the kind of mailman who would warn them if they’d forgotten to move their cars on street-sweeping day, search the post office on his weekend day off for their missing package or stop by their homes after work for a beer or a barbecue.”
The article goes on to describe other people that Mike touched as he delivered the mail, including Tom Lutz, who had suffered a stroke. Mike would call Tom and ask him to help deliver the mail to his neighbors as part of his rehab.
“He would encourage me to try a little harder each day, as my bad leg would get better little by little,” said Tom.
“Martinez was such an unforgettable character, in fact, that some of those customers built a memorial garden in his honor.
“I’ve never seen anything quite like ‘Mike’s Corner,’ certainly not for a mailman. The garden consists of an exquisitely landscaped corner parkway plot with a small stone monument topped by an old-fashioned flag mailbox and a plaque designed to look like a letter. The letter to Mike T. Martinez Jr. carries a return address of ‘Rest in Peace 1959-2010.’
“You don’t need to have a big-shot job to leave your mark in this world. All is takes is a warm smile, an upbeat attitude and a kind heart.”
There’s no doubt about it. Mike left some big shoes to fill along his route…but that challenge to achieve the same connection with those he served is part of his legacy.
“‘It really makes you step up your game,’ said mail carrier Tamme Price as she worked his old route.”
That’s the power of a living example. It can make those around you “step up their game,”…sometimes long after you are gone.
Jeff Gitomer, author of the Little Book of Leadership said it best, “Your people are a direct reflection of you. They watch you. They follow you. They measure you. They listen to you. If you want them to be dedicated to you, you have to be dedicated to them.”
Through your words, actions and deeds, you set the foundation for building an environment of trust and respect.
Trust is the key to both managing people and building a high performance company. It is the foundation on which relationships are built. According to Tom Peters, “Technique and technology are important. But adding trust is the issue of the decade.” Peters suggests that managers must take a “high-tech and high-trust” approach, putting the issue of trust at the top of the agenda and treating it like a “hard issue, not a soft issue.” If employees feel you don’t trust them to do their jobs correctly and well, they’ll be reluctant to do much without your approval. On the other hand, when they feel trusted that you believe they’ll do the right things well, they’ll naturally want to do things to the best of their ability and be deserving of your trust.
In On Becoming a Leader, Warren Bennis outlines the four ingredients for leaders to generate and sustain trust:
- Constancy. Whatever surprises leaders themselves may face, they don’t create any for the group. Leaders stay the course.
- Congruity. Leaders walk their talk. In true leaders, there is no gap between the theories they espouse and the life they practice.
- Reliability. Leaders are there when it counts; they are ready to support their co-workers in the moments that matter.
- Integrity. Leaders honor their commitments and promises.
While corporate scandals, terrorist threats, office politics, and broken relationships have created low trust on almost every front, I contend that the ability to establish, grow, extend, and restore trust is not only vital to our personal and interpersonal well-being, it is the key leadership competency of the new global economy.
I am also convinced in every situation, nothing is as fast as the speed of trust.