JUNE 17, 2022
As many of you know, your Elevator Guy (along with others in the organization) has had a keen interest in the Clifton Strengths Finders which our firm began back in 2013. Many of you only found out your top five strengths and then moved on. For those interested, having all 34 Strengths in order can be a great way to really understand WHO you are and what potential you might possess. Once you find out your 34 strengths, it will show you the four different leadership domains of Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, and Strategic Thinking. Yours truly has six strengths of my top ten strengths in the Relationship Building domain, which means I lead with these God given strengths. Relationship Building helps me build strong relationships that hold a team together. (This has always been my destiny) If interested, please check out your own 34 strengths and let me know how we might assist you in examining where you have the most potential to perform with excellence and how you can best contribute to a team rather than broadening your “Rugged Individualism.” Remember; life is not always about YOU anyway. Relationships are what matter most.
Today we would like to give you an example of the “Influencing” domain. People with dominant influencing themes take charge, speak up and make sure others are heard. You may find politicians or others that we might call, “Influencers.” Over the last three decades, I am unashamed to admit that I have always been a huge Rush Limbaugh fan and tried to listen as much as possible. Normally, during my lunch hour or driving to an appointment. Rush was a big “Influencer” to me in his beliefs, his understanding of people, and for his love of our country. (If you don’t like Rush Limbaugh, don’t stop reading as we will get to the reason for this remark.) Here is an example of one of Rush’s shows that took place on November 20, 2020. For context, this was approximately three months before Rush passed away of advanced lung cancer at the age of 70. (Please google the November 20th 2020 call “Fulfilling the Meaning of Life” and read it in its entirety)
Rush took a call from Doug of Olathe, Kansas, who had been furloughed, due to Covid, as an executive in the health care industry. Doug wanted to share how much of an influencer Rush had been to him. “People have wondered since the time of antiquity, really, “What is the meaning of life? Why are we here? Why were we born?” They were important to the caller and Rush was interested in sharing his thoughts and opinions on the subject. (Caller) “My simple definition is this; The reason that we’re born, the reason that we’re here is to enter continually in the lives of others, to make differences for the better. And you, Rush, have fulfilled the meaning of life, time and time again. You have entered my life and influenced me.”
The caller then goes on to thank Rush. (Gratitude) Of course, Rush was humbled and pointed out: “We will get introspective and will ask a version of that question, “Why we are here? What’s the meaning of life? Is that all there is? There’s gotta be more, particularly people who don’t think they’re mattering much, people who think that, that they’ve got things to do and they haven’t done, or people who are….some people are very highly achieved and are not satisfied by it, not like they thought they would be. They are very highly achieved, maybe even earn a lot of money, but there’s still an emptiness in them.” “You believe we are here to involve ourselves and interact in the lives of others for the betterment of those lives. Is that what you say?” To summarize Rush’s final comments, Rush pointed out that; “some of the greatest feelings of satisfaction that people will ever experience are when they’ve done something for somebody else that that person couldn’t do for themselves.” Has anyone done something for you that you couldn’t do for yourself? Do you make a difference every day by impacting the lives of others? (and don’t get paid for it?) It takes being intentional.
Now you have something else to ponder besides your 34 strengths. You have the ability to influence many lives. Are you being intentional about it? Try it and see if you have that same feeling that Rush did. It just might help you understand the “Meaning of Life” so that YOU can be an influencer for others. Go be an “Influencer.” If you can’t be an intentional influencer, merely THANK those that have helped you along the way. You will both win.
Elevator Guy
Quote for the Day; “the First Amendment doesn’t give anybody the right to be heard. People don’t have to listen to you.” Rush Limbaugh