Orrin,
I thought this latest Men's Leadership meeting was awesome. I have started reading 1 chapter of Proverbs
every morning. What a great book on wisdom and leadership principles that we can all apply.
I really liked your comments about not hiding in a foxhole in the middle of this media war. I have a lot more
fighting to do. Thanks for your inspiration.

Brian, There is a media war and we will win by being in, but not of the world! Very proud of you. Keep going. thanks, Orrin

Orrin: Yes! Many nuggets, all of which I have heard many, many times before, but that are now sinking in to a deeper level and which I am APPLYING to my life. Men’s Leadership in December – Chuck Cullen: You are in control of your attitude. Mike Foos: Be a problem solver – do a perspective check first. Problems do not get better with age. Mike Raatz: Balance the five areas of your life. Re-read “God’s Plan for Your Finances.” Your short spoke will always show up. Mark Paul: Keep running through the cycle of achievement. Don’t stop. If you stop, you’ll slip backwards. Pastor Dickie: Read one chapter of Proverbs each day. Meditate on it. Apply it. Orrin: Have Courage of your con-victions. Have perseverance. Don’t lose sight, but if you do, have Faith – that’s what it’s is there for. Seminar – Laurie: Growth is at the root of everything that gives us satisfaction. Take small steps every day. Orrin: If you are not hungry, who stole it?

I have a bunch more, but I hope everyone gets the idea that we can all learn, that each and every meeting and seminar is important to reinforce what we do know, to teach us what we don’t know, and to encourage us to take action.

Thank you for being such a courageous leader and a wonderful example for us all!

Owen, You took some great notes! Keep applying them and you are on your way. Very impressed. thanks, Orrin

Orrin,

This last weekend was my first mens leadership and the second seminar that I have been to. I would have to say that it has been one of the best weekends that I've had in a long time. It was cool to hang out with so many positive influencing people. At mens leadership Chuck said that we must stay in total control of our attitude. I believe that attitude affects our body language as well. You can give a person the wrong impression without even talking to them if you have bad body language. I also like the acronym FIDO, "forget it and drive on." If we were to hang on every little thing bad that has happened to us, then we could not get to where we want to be. Thanks for everything and I can't wait for the winter major.

-Jimmy

Jimmy, Great nuggets. Keep learning and leading and I will see you at the major! thanks, Orrin

Orrin,
This weekend I attended Flint Men's Leadership (thanks for signing by LLR book!) and the Saginaw Seminar. I was completly fired up again after this weekend. I can't remember the exact phrase you said, but it was something to the sort of "When God made you, he didn't say OOPS I forgot something. I forgot you give you these couple of talents -- I'll just give it to the next one." It made me realize that EVERY PERSON has leadership and greatness buried inside of them -- but it's realizing that and developing it that makes it. I truly believe every person in America can be a leader, but it's the thinking that causes them not to.

Excellent job! You got one of my main points. We can't spend life dwelling on what God did not give us! We must focus on developing the gifts and talents God did give to us. We will all find that is a huge assignment that would take many lives to fulfill anyway. Keep learning and leading. thanks, Orrin

Dean and Teresa Frye spoke in Grand Rapids. The topic was "Thinking for a Change" I probably shouldn't send all 5 pages of notes although every thought I was able to catch and make my own was like treasure.
1)you become successful in you mind befor you become successful in your life.
2)To become a leader you must embrace change.
3)Look at the month and year, Realize that you don't ever get another chance to make a difference when it is done.
4)You will have the chance to give-up on any good thing in your future (Decide that it is worth the struggle)
5)Your future is important guard what goes into your mind.
Thanks Orrin for making the main thing, the main thing. God bless you and all our leaders

Dean and Theresa are excellent teachers and have huge hearts for people. Great nuggets! Keep it up. thanks, Orrin

Orrin,
It was a great weekend, betweens Men's leadership and your seminar, I have plenty of studying to do!

A growing group of us have finally caught onto the idea of PDCA recently. We have been applying this process to many aspects of our lives. Reading, work tasks, finances etc... Recently we were able to use the process for finding a way to donate money for mission purposes at church...money that did not seem to be there before!
One thing that you mentioned this weekend that truely caught my attention was that "We are all given gifts by God, but it is our RESPONSIBILITY to develop them." Further, "The begining of Leadership is recognizing the NEED to change." wow. Responsibility and Needs...NOT just a number '3' priority on my list of things that might be cool to do, yet a Responsibility to recognize a Need to change and develop our wonderful Gifts as leaders!

I cant quite put all of this into words...YET, but those points were very revealing from this weekends events.

(PS, since applying a PDCA to my reading, I have went from an avg of 25 plus days for reading a book to an avg of 10. And I am learning more than before)!

Blair, Very excited for you! Proper use of PDCA will change a person's life forever. You are on your way. thanks, Orrin

Orrin just wanted to thank you for pointing out that its ok to be early to a meeting, because as you said you can always go over notes and thing about what the specific intent.

Dennis, I would much rather be early and focused on redeeming the time than late and communicating to others I do not value their time. We must put others first if we are to lead! Keep growing and leading. thanks, Orrin

WOW!!! Chris and Terri Brady were amazing and guided in what was needed for each of us in Idaho Falls, Idaho. It was great to remind us of doing the things we know we are suppose to do and find our purpose. It is amazing how the 95% shy away from the heat and pressure because we are truly the happiest when we are challenged. Chris said we need to help others get thinking and get them in the ZONE. Terri always is great at getting the message out that we each matter and that everything happens for a reason to tune us into our calling. We brought our son and daughter for their first leadership experience and what a blessing to have the Brady's edify their parents. WE in MONTANA have been blessed greatly for the Brady's message and thank you to all the policy council members. Much love and blessings from up north, Grant and Nikki

Chris and Terri are phenomenal teachers and speakers. I have never left a seminar after hearing them speak where I did not get real content to improve my life! Keep learning and leading. thanks, Orrin

It's really amazing to see what's already posted and see how many nuggets people are already "talking" about.

What I heard all evening on Saturday in Saginaw is that anyone can be a leader - have to be hungry enought to learn and focus on serving others. As leaders, we have to continue to grow- which requires taking an honest look at yourself and being willing to make the necessary changes - even when it seems painful. GROWTH: everything looks like failure in the MIDDLE - we have to have the right reason to grow and have to be willing to push through and persist when it gets challenging - there are no failures - only people who quit -and so often we quit because it feels hard, when if we pushed a little farther, we'd find we were so close to reaching our goal or success!

Ann, exactly right! We are all leaders. The only question is: Are we good or bad leaders? You are moving on! thanks, Orrin

Orrin: Great question - good leader or a bad leader! I know our focus is to be a great leader -strive to get better and to help pass the torch to other up and coming leaders with a hunger to get better and do more. It's all about choices isn't it? Making choices that reflect our character and integrity -that's when it really matters. Seen that so much in the last four months from the big leaders on the TEAM who show us to keep the main thing, the main thing, have integrity, be hungry, be willing to learn, stay the course - be persistent and consistent - in all that you do.

How can anyone associate with this great TEAM of leaders and not get better?

Great food for thought these past few days. Thanks for keeping me thinking!

Ann

We attended the Saginaw seminar this past weekend and heard you and Laurie speak. It was all fantastic and I wish I could write it all here, but some highlights for me were:
1) Everyone is called to leadership.
2) It's a choice to learn. We don't get to choose our experiences, but we get to choose what we learn from them. (Thanks Laurie...that one hit home!!)
3) We are all born hungry. If you aren't hungry, who stole it?
4) Achieve competitive greatness. Give your personal best every day.
5) In community building, everything we learn we share with someone else. Make the people who are learning better.
6) The reason people have a hard time being truthful with others - they have trouble facing truth themselves
7) Don't whine, don't complain, don't make excuses. 80% don't care and 20% are happy
8) Wooden's 7 point creed - Wow!!
9) Tell me a person's habits and I'll tell you that person's future. Be careful who you associate with.
10) Find the leader with heart and build a team around that person
11) The three questions critical to partnership; "Can I trust you?" "Are you striving for excellence in all you do?" "Do you care about me?"
12) You are the type of leader you expected. Get better. Expect better.

Thank you Orrin and Laurie for being incredible servant leaders, and for providing the opportunity to come and learn from the best....it's an honor.

You have done an top notch job of capturing the main points. Great notes! Implement them and watch your life improve! thanks, Orrin

Orrin:
You commented this weekend..."Raise up a group of leaders that are interdependent..." I have noticed the more our team talks about the books we are reading, the more "in unison" we become (given a strong communiaction of our current goals as a team). I am certain there are some great "mechanics" in that process to discuss that make this possible... It reflects the thoughts that Chris discussed a few years back regarding communicating battle srategy in the "off season" so thoroughly that when it comes time to take action, the leaders are on the same page, even without direct lines of communication in place.
As a team of people are learning together, both on and off "the field," how would you categorize the types of books those aspiring leaders should be reading? Example, Leadership, Faith, Interspersonal Skills etc...Do you have a PDCA you follow to keep yourself in certain"categories" of reading on a regular basis?

Thanks again for all you do!
-Blair

Blair, Yes I do read from specific books. Off to the left you will see the categories. These are the categories I read from to improve my life and leadership. I like to read at least one book from all areas at least quarterly if not monthly. Hope this helps. Thanks, Orrin

Joe & Jane McGuire spoke in NH Saturday and shared great information. I especially like what Jane shared about Being a Balcony Person (cheer others on), Encourager, Listener, Forgiving, Nice, Giver and Servant of Others and as you do this "everyone around us will feel like they belong". She also talked about listening with care not just listening mechanically. She talked about pointing out the good and what people do right on a regular basis. I came away being reminded that it's easy to fall into the habits of pointing out the bad and talking about all that is wrong... it takes effort and a decision to point out good and what's right. I'm glad for that reminder that I can take away as one of the nuggets to be more aware of and make the right decisions. Those kind of nuggets are one of many reasons I look forward to attending the Team Seminars and listening to the Audios. I so appreciate the source of encouragement, leadership and mentoring that I can apply in all areas of life.

Joe and Jane are great friends and leaders. They have made all the necessary sacrifices to enable them to grow. Very proud of them and you. thanks, Orrin

orrin,
The meeting in Minnasota with Larry and Marcy VaBuskert Was one that help cut throw the fog of our leadership traing program. I know my wife and I will apply this 12 mouth program at home. Larry also clead up more fog with charting and grafting are progress

Larry and Marsie are great people and have a work ethic second to none. Very proud of you for learning and growing! thanks, Orrin

Wow! I had the opportunity to attend the seminar in Grand Rapids with Dean & Teresa Frey, Men's Leadership, and the Saginaw seminar! All 3 were amazing - I took 14 pages of notes. A few of the things that stick out from Dean & Teresa are about commitment. I love the example of the wedding vows - what would your spouse think if you answered "I'll try" when asked "do you take this man (or woman) to love in sickness and health, good times and bad, etc. Men's Leadership's talks on attitude, problem solving, personal growth, cycle of achievement, focus on others/understanding others, choosing a mentor, and character were great - and I have started reading a chapter of Proverbs every day! Saginaw was phenomenal! The laws of lifetime growth and fail to succeed principles have been heard before, but didn't make sense until I heard it Saturday night. Thanks for making this available and for giving me the example of character I need.

Dan, Well done. You captured some essentials out of the talks. Dean and Theresa are cycling up in their leadership at an amazing rate. Laurie did a fantastic job the languages of apology and Lifetime Growth Laws. I am excited for your future with so much good information going into you! Keep going! thanks, Orrin

Orrin, my wife asked me to pass this along. I will post my thoughts separately as "forgiven"

Orrin, the December seminar in Sacramento was my first Team event of any kind. I am not new to business, but new to you. What I saw were principles that I was familiar with presented again by people who were truly pursuing a life of excellence in real time. I felt a deep disparity between where I was and where they were, but that was a good thing, not a discouraging thing. Because I saw in them what can be when we pursue personal growth through every level of the business and beyond. I am not done with December seminars, I will be traveling to Portland and am very excited to absorb more of the environment as well as grow our team on the west coast. Thank you both, Chris and you, for your daily entries on your personal blog sites. These sites I have disciplined myself to go to first, even before email, so that I can get that extra dose of leadership thinking before I start my day. The blogshave been a tremendous blessing for the whole family.(We have 3 kids)

I am glad the blogs are helping. We consider it a Labor of Love for a special group of leaders! Keep growing. thanks, Orrin

Hi Orrin! It is great to be here! I have never logged onto a blog before and it has been quite the process of trial and error.:) How cool to read all of this great stuff. I will improve on my note taking!
For sake of brevity I will say three things.

1. This has already been said here but Lauries comment that We don't choose our experiences but we can choose what we learn from them and to ask ourselves questions after each experience big or small. This really hit home and her example about her struggle with driving, as I have at least one specific situation that I have not learned from as well. I know once I learn this one, the next one will come forward to master.

2. Lauries point also about make tasks fun. My husband mentioned that Mark Paul also talked about this at Mens Leadership. We are open for suggestions on this point.

3. Orrin, your point about there is no leadership without teaching made me think about I am teaching something everyday. Am I teaching the right things?

Most of all we want to thank you and Laurie for all that you have done to pave the way for all of us. For standing up for what is right and for inspiring us to leave our children the legacy of financial freedom. amen.

Tami, Glad you are enjoying and learning from the blogs and seminars. Laurie was the best I have ever seen her and she is growing into the leader God called her to be. Many ladies can follow in the footsteps of the lady leaders and it will make a huge impact in the world. Keep growing. thanks, Orrin

The Leadership seminars are very helpful! I have applied some of the principles of servant-leadership and listening abilities at Kettering Univ., where I go to school, and I have seen many changes in the actions of myself and others in the organizations/clubs I'm leading. Amazing information!

It's also very interesting to see the common foundations and principles different religions share, when Pastor Dickie was speaking. Attending these seminars has propelled me to further understand my own religion, Islam. It has inspired me to be thankful for everything, and that God has power over everything. I am sure He has a plan for all of us. If there is one point of suggestion, can we emphasize how most religions share many principles/beliefs, so that we can show that the Team is more open-minded and willing to accept others regardless of their faith? The leadership seminars are amazing!

Thanks a lot Orrin for all the tremendous opportunities to learn. They aren't teaching leadership in my core Engineering classes at Kettering!!

Shahnoor, I am glad you are learning and growing so much! The principles we teach are nearly foundational to all the faiths. We do not separate people based on faith - we unite people based on principles of serving and making a difference. This is why you are understanding your faith better because the principles are in common across the board. I am very proud of your for learning and leading! Keep it up. thanks, Orrin

Hey Orrin,
This past seminar I really enjoyed when you shared your comments on how if you were early to a meeting you would practice memorizing your favorite quotes and picture yourself speaking. What I really learned from that is when someone has a great strength like you with knowing all those one line quotes there is probably some kind of habit that was formed in there life to make that a great strength. Thanks for sharing!!

Eric S.

Eric, I love the quote, "Do everything with specific intent." You are discovering the key principle and it will make a big difference in your life. You are on your way and I am proud of you. thanks, Orrin

Coming from Connecticut with 2 of our teammates, for the Flint men's leadership was part of paying the price for success. The will to win is useless without the will to prepare and the work it takes to accomplish. All the speakers on friday, have made a difference in each of us. As a high school coach and teacher I relate well with all the coach comments and their books(Coach Wooden,Coach Holtz,Caoch Pitino,Coach Woodward,etc.) The 7 pt. creed, true competition definition,and the breakdown of Coach Holtz's 3 questions as people see me were very impactful. Our teammates also discussed the what you andLaurie talked about in Saginaw concerning the language of apology(one team member aplogized to his oldest step-daughter via the phone for an unresolved incident from the past and the other was implimenting daily PDCA. As always the history lessons are vital and right on. The emphasis from our TEAM leadership on reading is vital to growth in each of us--Success is a journey not a destination! God Bless you and thanks for alll you do--

Coach, Very proud of you for driving the miles to learn and lead! Keep going. thanks, Orrin

Orrin,
You have an awesome and admirable way teaching history. I've heard for many years how history repeats itself, but never fully grasped the concept and the realization of those words until the last six months. I have to be shamefully honest to say that I was never a fond student of history. In fact I thought it was a down right bore..that is until I was enlightened by your passion for the lives that shaped our country. I wish that my history teachers had that kind of tenacity and love for the founding fathers that you have impressed upon us. My love for this country has been heart felt for years, not really knowing why or what really was driving those feelings. The recent major and seminars have lit a fire that drives me to help others realize the atrocities that are happening right under our noses. I raise my sword to all those who are on the field and are fighting to bring back our moral America that our founding fathers had given their lives for! Fight for your FREEDOM!

Jason

Jason, In order to teach a subject you must believe it will have an impact on others. This is where many would be teachers lose effectiveness. Get on fire and share the fire! Keep growing. thanks, Orrin

My son and I had the absolute privelege of being at the Saginaw seminar. I relate to every posted comment regarding the information that you and Laurie shared. What I want to note was your absolute dedication to book signing through both breaks and having Laurie slow down and serve as your "filler" (she is so funny) so you could continue to sign books before your portion of the ticket holder. My son and I noted a firm handshake, eye contact and a bit of personal conversation for everyone in that line. You made a lasting impression on us both, but I was thrilled with my son's reaction to meeting you and getting your signature - God Bless this Team and its leaders - my son is working his way out of a pit of negativity and Team is the reason.

On another note, I wondered if you have read about a gentleman named Nicholas Winton. He (born 1909) was raised in Britain and in 1939 at age 29 organized the rescue of 669 mostly Jewish Czech children. There is an amazing DVD called "The Power of Good" that tells his story. The intent of the DVD is to show how one man can indeed make a difference - oh how true!

Thank you for all you have done and are doing! Laurie Tallio

Laurie, Good hearing from you. I believe it is very important to connect with everyone you are introduced to. I know when I was starting in leadership it meant a great deal to me. Very proud of you and your son for learning and growing. Keep going. thanks, Orrin

On December 8th in Denver I learned again the extent of the servant hood of the leaders in Team. Lance and Tracy Smith were here and they came in the middle of some nasty weather. I don't know how many people were at the seminar but it was not nearly what we normally have. I was extremely impressed that Lance and Tracy came from San Diego where fires are threatening a huge area of where they live, into weather that they could have justifiably decided it was too risky to come in, and they enough problems to worry about at home. I am so thankful that we have leaders that will do the uncommon thing for the benefit of others with out regard to themselves. What an example to me of what a servant leader truly consists of. My hats off to Lance and Tracy and many of the other leaders who do the same thing all across the country. Our prayers are with you all. God Bless, Adam

Lance and Tracey are super servants and some of the best teachers on the whole Team. I am very proud of them and you for braving the storm! Thanks, Orrin

Orrin,
I had the honor of being present in Madison last month for Mark & Tammi Crawford. The message from them was loud and clear! These people built an elite organization the hard way compared to the model that you've made possible for us. I so much admire the fact that these huge leaders that are now with TEAM don't have a shred of ego in their blood. They proved to everyone from the newest person to the founders that change is inevitable in life and it must be embraced rather than resisted against. I don't imagine you'll find a couple who have been through as much as Mark & Tammi, yet, are so willing to humble themselves and have the willingness to admit that they have so much to learn in this new age we're in. Mark made it abundantly clear that our lead boots of denial will cost us dearly if we don't make changes in our lives and adapt to the changes that are taking place so rapidly in our culture. I respect them so much for their willingness to be difference makers in a world where that's so looked down upon. I give you my word that I am LOCK STEP with Mark & Tammi and the incredible TEAM LEADERSHIP as we continue our mission to change the world! I'm proud of everyone!
God Bless The TEAM!

Gary, Mark and Tami are some of the best servants on the Team. They have accomplished so much and yet are still hungry to learn. They also work extremely well together and bring their strength together into one dynamite team! We will reach a million leaders and make a difference together. Keep growing. thanks, Orrin

Orrin,
I also wanted to give it up for another couple whom appeared in Wausau in November, Dan & Lisa Hawkins.
First off, I am truly blessed to be able to call them my friends. This couple is developing leaders all over.
The Leurquins & Klamms from the Fort Atkinson area are great examples of the Hawkins' ability to lead people to the elite Leadership system and provide them with the level of mentorship that you've raised the bar so high on.
Dan & Lisa hit a home run in Wausau to say the least! The message delivered was strong. Persistence is the key.
When the cause is just, we as leaders, cannot let anything stand in our way. What we stand for is "non-negotiable" I absolutely love the fact that this couple is so young, yet, so teachable and convicted about their mission.......my mission......our mission! Orrin, thank you for setting the standard on Leadership and I thank GOD for placing people like you, George & Jill Guzzardo & Dan & Lisa Hawkins in my family's lives so we can model your example and make a difference along side you. God bless you.