Orrin, I can't help but comment on this. My husband Paul A. Staples
(like the store)LOL is a great leader to our family. Since this man
was 5 he has shown great leadership. At 5 he lost his father and being the oldest of 4 he became the man of the house. Again at 10yrs old he lost his mother and two siblings in a car accident which he and another brother survived. Then living with his grandparents he saw his grandmother pass. At 16 I met up with him. I never would have guessed he was 16 he had a car, job and a home. Never would have guessed he was a victim. He always leads, TEAM for us is about the cause, Paul and I are working hard to become Leaders for the TEAM. We have raised three girls in this culture whom we are very proud of. They made it and so did we. I can't imagine what we could have done if TEAM was in our lives in the 70s & 80s. Thats the past we are going forward. I have always felt in my heart and soul this mans story should be told, now I know it will!! He is a high "D" need I say more. Orrin you and Laurie have made a difference in our lives along with great mentors like Steve and Beth Morgan, Dennis and Sheila Morgan' Bill and Jackie Kirt and Cassie, the Rodosa's and of course all our leaders on CD. I recently was able to say hello to your wonderful wife and met you at a small meeting here in MI. I think Laurie is the best and someday we will spend time together that is my first goal and dream. Then
Paul can retire from the business. Learning not to be a victim is the best lesson Paul has no idea the HERO he really is!! Peace and Grace, Julie

While I do agree with competition and keeping score, I do not believe that being number 1 makes you a better person than someone who is in the number 2 slot or number 3 for that matter. I have experienced winning many times in my life and know that my winning did not ever, not once, make me a better person that those below me. While a striving hard, nose to the grindstone, can do attitude will strengthen character, caution must be taken not to allow your ego to make you think you are better than everyone else.

I think that the original point that was intended but may have been taken too literally was that no matter who wins, that does not make them better people than those who do not win. This is not a bad principle. I don't believe however that is an excuse for not keeping score or encouraging our youth to strive for excellence. Living a life of laziness and victimhood all in the name of equality is in my personal opinion not a good use of this beautiful life God gave us. But.....it is also not my place to judge what lessons others need to learn.

Each philosophy has it's merits as long as the underlying principle is in place.

Orrin,

Excellent idea - posting complete articles in a seperate space and keeping them out of the general space. There is still a market for pure leadership, and this sort of content fills that need well. Thanks for the great info!

Bill The Computer Guy

Orrin,
I greatly appreciate your article on the Heroic world view. Hero's have greatly affected my life. My grandfather served in WWII, which in turn inspired me to live the patriotic values he displayed to me. I am now serving in Afghanistan. Trying to live up to my grandfathers example, (he was among the rangers who stormed Pointe-du-Hoc) has given me courage under fire. His example makes me a better warrior and patriot. Heroes are so valuable to our society. In a book called "House to House" the author says, "The warrior class has been painted with two brushes. One as a felon, the other as a victom. They appreciate neither." Some people are trying to tear down our hero's. But, I'm thankfull for people (like yourself), that despite what some will do to tear at their character, will still stand up for what they believe and continue to give a good example for others to follow. God bless you,

By definition first is better than second place. Using the story of the talents, God gave to the man who made ten and not the man who made five. Everything else being equal – it is better to become a millionaire than homeless. It is better to make one friend than zero friends. Heaven is better if we win 100 billion people than just 500 million. Consuming 2 ounces a day is better… well you get the idea. Everything else being equal - better is better.

Also we should give the unlimited invisible author of all those Judo-Christian principles credit. Jesus said where he got them from. That father dude has more personality than just some cosmic-universal-mind-matter spawned from the imagination of chicken philosophers in order to appeal to mass crowds.

Orrin,

Thank you for linking to your article. It has helped me understand what is important next for myself and my family. While I live in a part of the country that hasn't been totally poisoned by socialist thinking, I can see signs of it in our local political and educational leaders.

Thanks also to you and Chris for founding (and continuing) TEAM. I have recently decided that I really need to be part of something greater than myself and I believe I have found that for which I have been looking.

-JTM

Orrin, I read this article a few years ago and really enjoyed it then. It is amazing that rereading something can have a larger meaning. Back to basics!!! Thank you for all you do. MIke

Hello Mr. Woodward,
I am a loyal Team member. I am trying my hand at writing a blog and I wrote something that I would like you to read. I would greatly appreciate any advice or comments you can give. Thank you for your time as I understand you are very busy. God bless you and this amazing battle for the heart of this culture, I am with you all the way. Here is the link to the blog: http://leadershipskyscraper.blogspot.com/
sincerely,
Curtis Bichel

This is a great article to share and spread amongst our internet communities.

So often I've heard the complaint that there's "no true heroes". Now I realize that those people, including my own family, have been looking in the wrong place(s) - the media.

Thank you Orrin.

Orrin,
I just wanted to offer my prayers out to the family and friends of Randy Pausch. What an inspiration this young man was and what a legacy he left behind for his children. Talk about courage! Randy left to be with his heavenly father on July 25th. I'm including a link that people can go to and leave their prayers for Randy and his family. Thank you!

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=28571619