First and foremost I am very sorry that we are late; our Lead Together Tuesday is now a Wisdom Wednesday? Maybe?
I am very grateful for two major events that happened this past week.
One, I attended a two day “meet-up” that was for a speakers group I belong to. There were about 100 fellow speakers from around the world and we got to share, laugh, and learn together. We found that we have more similarities than differences. As our speaker group founder Scott said, “Instead of speakers climbing over each other on the ladder of success, maybe we can all ride in the elevator together.”
I am paraphrasing but the idea is that if, as a group, we help each other we can succeed faster and feel good about it. I loved every moment of the event. I wasn’t super popular in high school, I didn’t have a “cool group," and I was usually on the outside. Being part of this two day event made me feel like I belonged to a bigger purpose; my speaking, that isn’t so much with youth anymore, could be of so much more value to educators, corporate groups and associations. My confidence was boosted by this STUpendous group of humans.
The second, and completely unexpected event, was an award I received at the Canadian Student Leadership Conference (
CSLC) in Edmonton, Alberta. I was invited to attend as a special guest to present an award to the outgoing Executive Director of the Canadian Student Leadership Association (
CSLA), Bill Conconi. I was asked to give a quick 4 to 5 minute speech at the opening ceremonies and give him this much deserved recognition. I was honoured to be asked as I have a very special place in my heart for Bill; he has been a mentor to me over the last 2 decades.
While I waited in the wings to be introduced to present the award, I was surprised (to say the least) that the President of CSLA started talking about the Barry Sharpe award. It’s a VERY special award that isn’t given too often. The Barry Sharpe Award is in honour of Barry Sharpe who started the entire national leadership movement in 1985, in Saskatchewan. I wasn’t really listening as I was reviewing my notes when Don announced me as the recipient of this wonderful award. I was taken back. It was very kind. I am still processing it all.
The point of this blog is to demonstrate the importance of a positive tribe. As humans we need other humans to feel good, to feel healthy. Most of us need to have that core group around us. Research overwhelmingly proves that we are the sum total of the 5 people you spend the most time with. If they are positive, healthy people, you will probably be too. If you are spending time with negative, unhealthy people the same outcome will probably be yours.
I am blessed and a bit lucky that I have found this tribe: The speakers I met this weekend, and the amazing teachers and leaders I was honoured in-front of yesterday. They prove to me that if you look around you can find your tribe. Don’t waste your time and energy on those that don’t push you forward or support your dreams. Those that don’t challenge you to dream BIGGER. If you are the most positive person in your group, get a NEW GROUP!
There aren’t enough words to describe my gratitude for what I have experienced over the last 5 days. I just know that I am very excited to keep doing more and to have a great support system around me.
So, who is your tribe? Don’t have one… GET ONE! If the one you have isn’t making you feel excited or hopeful... DUMP them. You are who you have coffee with, so I hope you have some great cups of coffee.
