Stories of Outstanding People: Pastor Tim
November 23, 2009
I have a good friend whom I met many years ago at Starbucks. I would pass him on the way to the ladies room and I was always curious about what he was doing. He was writing in a bible with these multi-colored highlighter pens and I thought to myself, “What a cool guy. He must be a priest.”
So I stopped to talk to him. I love interesting people and I had never before heard of a clergy person using multi-colored highlighter pens on their bible. Maybe it’s a trend but I just don’t know about, but at any rate it was enough to get me to meet the fascinating and hilarious Pastor Tim.
Tim started right in telling me some stories and boy were they funny. I was laughing so hard right there in Starbucks that I thought I was going to split my side. When I met him, he had only been at his parish for a year or two he was at the beginnings of his difficult work.
Tim works in a small Lutheran church in the heart of a very difficult neighborhood in Philly. I could tell that Tim was totally dedicated to what he’s doing and yet I could also see that he was really struggling. Tim didn’t just have one problem or even two, he had multiple ones, often occurring at the same time!
One week Tim had a series of disastrous incidents one right after another - the copier broke, the heating went out and a few other things showed up. Tim had solved them one by one but when the last one showed up, he was at his wits end. Things seemed totally insurmountable.
Not knowing what else to do, Tim got down on his knees and begged for help from above. After he was finished, he got up from his prayer and took a break by retreating to the men’s room. What could go wrong there right?
Tim took his time in the ‘bathroom sanctuary’ not wanting to rush his few short moments of peace and quiet. On his way out he decided to leave it in a better state than he’d found it, so he grabbed a can of deodorizer and gave it a nice refreshing spray around the room. Nice gesture right?.
But instead of coming out like aerosol mist, the deodorizer which had obviously been around far too long, sprayed all over the walls just like gummy string cheese!
Tim took one took at the wall and knew instantly what to do. He laughed out loud and promptly walked out, leaving behind a wonderful new art piece for the parish bathroom!
Whenever I see Tim he always makes me laugh. Even though I know that it is not easy keeping his tiny parish afloat, Tim always has a funny story to tell. I keep telling him he needs to write up his stories. But since he’s so busy, I thought I’d tell one for him. He has plenty more.
And if you’re ever in Starbucks in Philly and see a guy with a colored up bible, stop and say hi, it just might be Pastor Tim - the pastor with the big heart and the amazing sense of humor.
Today use the power of humor in your own life to create a new story even in the midst of the greatest challenges.
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Outstanding People Stories: Meet Chuck Hester
November 9, 2009
In the world of online marketing and networking what I don’t need is one more sales pitch - the all-too-common, “Hey, I have a great offer for you” greeting that many people on the social networks use makes me want to recycle my lunch.
That’s why I was delighted when I read the refreshing new book by Chuck Hester. In all 54 pages of his tiny treasure, he never once tried to sell me anything! He didn’t even try to sell me the book because I found out about it through my reliable mentor Bea Fields.
So friends, I’d like you to meet wonderful human being Chuck Hester. Chuck is changing the dynamics in online social networking with his pay it forward approach to connecting.
Chuck’s book, “Linking In To Pay It Forward” with the byline, “this is not your Daddy’s business book,” shares Chuck’s unique approach to creating a social network by asking the simple question, “How can I be of service to you?”
It’s a small enjoyable book that I read in an evening. But what is most outstanding about the book is not so much what Chuck says, but his philosophy to life and business. Believe it or not folks, Chuck actually believes in sharing with people in the online business world, not to get, but to give.
I’m not just talking about that kind of ‘let me pretend to give you something so I can really get something from you’ mentality. You know the one I’m talking about?
That’s not Chuck. No. When I read his book I could feel that he is genuine. I was so happy to find this philosophy that I reached out and emailed Chuck the very next morning. He says in the back of his book to please contact him and after reading his book, so I did.
Chuck wrote me right back with a lovely note and we struck up the beginning of a genuine connection. I love that!
Chuck is definitely making a difference in the world with his philosophy. He applies the concept of paying it forward, which means to do good things for others without expecting anything in return. As a master networker, he uses this in the world of social networking and he’s had amazing results.
In a world where it seems that everyone is out to get something, Chucks pay it forward philosophy stands out in the crowd. I believe that this is the wave of the future and it can’t be faked. You’ve got to truly mean it and I believe Chuck does.
Chuck and his wife Stephanie have hosted Linkedin Live Raleigh, a networking event that regularly attracts more than 350 professionals and helps others to pay it forward in person. It’s obvious that people really want and need the power of genuine human connection.
He has a wonderful blog, the Pay It Forward Chronicles where he shares his stories of paying it forward. Chuck has generated a network of 9,500 contacts on LinkedIn alone and whenever he goes to a new city, he often meets one of his LinkedIn contacts in person. He helps us to see that it truly is a small and connected world.
Chuck thank you for the difference you are making in the world of social media. You bring back the heart and humanness which we all need.
I hope you will join Chuck and I on my Radio Show next Friday, November 20th at 12:30 pm EST at www.blogtalkradio.com/inspiringchangethroughstory.
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Leaders Need Change and Growth
November 6, 2009
Meet Loren Thomas, Superintendent of Schools in Salem County, N.J. who oversees a staff of about 300 people and works to create a better world for children every day.
Loren is a wonderful humanistic leader who cares deeply for children and has created many outstanding programs to meet their needs. I had the good fortune of doing training for Loren and his administrative team years ago and here is Loren speaking on the need for leaders to grow and change.
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