I’ve spent the last five days in an intense time of investment into the future. I spent each day with 75 children teaching, directing, encouraging, and helping them to discover their natural talents and gifts. I’ve done this kind of work with future leaders throughout my career, literally working with thousands of children. Often in these types of experiences, the students find out that they not only can do something very well, they also love to do it. I have many examples of adults today who first discovered their life’s work by being introduced to it during one of the camps and workshops I’ve led. It’s been very rewarding for me to see people with whom I worked when they were young blossom into highly successful adults. It’s not only rewarding, but incredibly humbling. There may be some who are reading this blog who went through one of these experiences with me as a kid. You need to know that your success in life is a tremendous blessing to me and I’m proud of you!
We all know that any type of achievement comes with a price tag, an investment of time, energy, resources, emotion, hard work, and determination. You can’t be a leader without putting in the time and effort to invest in yourself and in the people around you. For the past three decades, I’ve chosen to continually invest in the lives of children and youth. I do it by giving of my time, talent, and treasure so that these great kids can become all that they can be. I do it on purpose. I’ve known other talented people who don’t seem to have the time to invest in the next generation of leaders, but I’ve never met a truly dynamic and effective leader who doesn’t do as I have done and help the next generation get started on their leadership journey in life.
I want to encourage everyone who wants to be a leader to find a way to invest in the next generation. None of us will be around forever, and it is very important that those who come behind us are instilled with the character, values, and practical tools needed to carry on the great works that make our world a better place. Even if you don’t spend the day with 75 children at a time, you can still be a mentor to a few. Invest in the next generation. Teach someone to do what you know how to do and to lead others. I promise it will be rewarding to you and the one you touch.
Lead well.