If I “read” the room right, something I shared with the GO-VA tribe last September struck some team members hard.
This was the line that provoked an audible gasp and many nods of agreement: “I love you but I can no longer be with you.”
That line comes from the bestselling author and leadership mentor Robin Sharma, a former litigator who gave up a successful career in law to do what he truly loved: write books about personal mastery and leadership, and teach as many people as possible how to achieve both.
It’s safe to say Robin has been wildly successful on his new path.
During our Tea with the CEO and other team events, I often recommend writers and mentors whose advice I cherished. Newly regularised team members at GO-VA receive a copy of Robin’s Little Black Book for Stunning Success. This happens just six months after they receive Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People as part of their welcome kit.
But what Robin said about social networks was particularly timely.
How remarkable our lives can become will depend, in great measure, on the people we choose to surround ourselves with, at work and in other areas of life.
When we choose our peers, we choose our results.
It’s not new advice. “Water seeks its own level” says something similar.
But what makes it more urgent is the fact that we live in a time of unprecedented sources of distraction, especially from our online social networks and our screens.
We’re grateful for reminders to focus on what’s really important. At GO-VA, daily reminders to do so are provided by our Results Coaches, who emphasise living by our core values, particularly: Drive, Learn, and Find a Way.
It’s sad but in most cases, personal mastery may not be a popular choice.
“If you take a thousand people, how many people are interested in personal mastery, in being a leader? How many people stand for world-class?” Robin said. “Most people are interested in video games, in TV shows, in gossiping, complaining, and in just getting through the day. I’m not judging, just reporting.”
Part of what we love about being in GO-VA is that learning personal mastery and leadership isn’t only encouraged, but rewarded. Each month, team members who best showed how to apply each of our seven core values receive awards during our Lunch with the CEO.
“Use the standard of values” is Robin’s advice for deciding who we should surround ourselves with.
The advice I chose to highlight was this: “Speak your truth even when your voice shakes.”
I like to encourage team members not to be held back by self-defined limits, by pointing out how I used to dread public speaking. But with encouragement from my family, repeated practice, and a commitment to learning, I am grateful to report that I have come to embrace it.
And I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve received this year to speak before the Google Business Group-Cebu, Asia CEO Forum, Payoneer Forum, KMC CEO Forum, and a pre-event hosted by the organisers of the Asia-Pacific Women Startup Weekend.
If you’re excited to work and grow in an environment that emphasises care, encourages personal mastery, and empowers growth, we’d be very happy to meet you as well. Come join our tribe!
Find out more about this motivation tip and other highlights from September here: https://www.go-va.com.ph/september-2019-ceo-lunch-presentation/