This is the one gift that we are often not aware that we even need!

This past week I spent 3 days hanging out with four of my best friends and my two adult sons.

It was a guys get away because I turn 50 next month. 

During a walk about four months ago my wife Cherice asked me what I wanted to do for my 50th. The picture that popped into my head was a suprise birthday or a house full of people...and thought "no shot!" 

After some more discussion I said I would love to just hang with my 'crew'. 

So we made arrangesments to meet up this past week. 

As I reflect on our time together, these three principles came to mind. 

1. Good friends might be the gold that we don't know we need. I spent about 20 years looking at others desiring to have the gifts they posessed. "I wish I had his ability to public speak. I wish I had his ability to work the room at a large function. I wish I was a alpha male type leader like him." 

About 6 years ago I had a revelation that I have been blessed with maybe the most important gift...the gift of friends. It is honestly ridiculous the amount of good, solid friends I have. Some I talk to weekly. Others monthly. And others yearly. 

I still want to become a better public speaker but I am so aware of how the Lord has abundantly gifted me...and that is with great friends. 

2. You can not get where you want to get alone...we need good friends/mentors. After three days I felt as sharp as I have in a long time. Our conversations challenged me. They inspired me. They convicted me. They propelled me. 

I am really lucky because of what I do, I get to do this quite often. I get to spend time with 'clients' many whom are friends. I get to run cohorts and get sharpened by some elite leaders. I am thankful. I encourage you to get around the sharpest people you can. 

3. You will look like those you spend the most time with. Just another way to say get around good people who are sharp and desire to grow and progress. This will help you. John Maxwell said "If you want to be a sharp thinker, get around sharp people." 

Commonalities

My four buddies are all successful. Like really successful. And really sharp. Here are some commonalities:

-They all are elite question-askers. My two boys, Trevor and Cooper, pointed this out. These guys are curious. They were consistently thinking about others and asking great questions.

-They have a non-anxious presence. Some are more laid back and others a little more high-strung, but none of them give off an anxious vibe. 

-They were present in the moment. When they were talking to you, they were actually with you. You could feel their presence. 

-They all lived an ordered life. All four are next-level successful. Like, top of the food chain successful. All of them also prioritize faith and family. None have sacrificed their families to get ahead in business. 

-They work out and eat healthily. Maybe because all of them are approaching 50...they are all aware of taking care of their bodies. 

-They all laugh easily. As one person said “Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.” And none of them are afraid to laugh at themselves. 

The biggest blessing

Maybe one of the biggest blessings of the trip was my two boys Trevor (21) and Cooper (19) got to hang with and see what real men look like. They got to see humble, disciplined, present, caring, open-handed, awesome men. 

As much as the trip meant to me, that is what I am most grateful for...that the Lord gave me friends that I want my boys to be around.

That is the gift I didn't even know I needed!

Click here to order my book The Leadership Greenhouse

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One of my weekly disciplines is scouring the internet for articles/tweets I can learn from and/or use with those I work with. Below are two that I hope help encourage and equip you.

Article 1- Standards vs. Rules

Article 2- How to tell a story like Steve Jobs

Podcast: Rick Heller, Baseball coach at the University of Iowa. Awesome dude. Great leader!

Three Ways I Can Help:

1 on 1's - A powerful solution to combat the isolation and loneliness that often accompanies leadership. Leading with excellence can be an uphill battle, but you don't have to face it alone. My 1-on-1 coaching is designed to be your trusted thought partner, offering thought-provoking, perspective-enhancing questions that ignite fresh insights and clarity. Together, we will delve into the depths of your leadership role, helping you gain a profound understanding of yourself and your program. Our personalized approach ensures that each session is tailored to meet your specific needs and goals.

Here is a testimony from a 1 on 1 client: "Travis has helped me become a better leader. Travis has helped me organize my thoughts and has given me so much clarity on how to lead on a day to day basis. There is no doubt that he is the biggest asset to my leadership and has reenergized my coaching style." Jeff Duncan, Head Baseball Coach, Kent State

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