What an amazing opportunity it was to speak with Manny Rodriguez, the executive director of the NFP Revolution Workshop.  His vision and mission are so well executed in the active programming developed to help people live successfully through developing a career in the trades.

I have been looking to find those who will help guide me through my vision of a shop co-op, which will provide training in the trades as serve as a shared work space for those in the community.  It is still the least developed aspect of the programming here.  

Listening to Manny has given me new direction!  It is phenomenal all he has accomplished in three short years.

Check out his share here:

https://youtu.be/gmYIEjIBMsw

This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Lakshmi Reddy, founder of New Creation International.  Her heart-centered vision of creating a world with more self-awareness came from the sense that what we emphasize in our schools and popular culture was not healthy for society or the individual psychological and spiritual health.  

Lakshmi refers to the processes of self-awareness that her organizations supports and disseminates as tools to "become more you".  I love that.  I have always thought of becoming better, or the best "you", and Lakshmi simply states, not better, but more YOU.

Isn't it true?

Her 100% volunteer based organization is a testament to her gift of connecting people.  Her capacity to grow in self-reflection and awareness through the process of seeing her dream come to life over the past 7 years is a testament to her ability to walk the walk of what it means to live in self-awareness.

Please enjoy her sharing the process of stepping into a dream and staying the course. Here was a take home for me, and maybe also for some you who also may be just starting out, that is to, remember her sage advice and "Don't be afraid to ask."

Click for Lakshmi's Share

For our first conversation about being a leader in our own lives, we asked the question, "Why don't more people step out into their passion?"  At the very simplest level, many of us have forgotten what we are passionate about.  Our first exercise asked viewers to connect again to what brings them joy.

So what comes next?  If I now know what I am passionate about, what then?

It is not time to start moving into action yet.  We still have to create a vision.

This conversation introduces the idea of how we can create a vision of our lives and the world we want to live in.  Personally, I think there is nothing more important than to live a well considered life.

For your consideration:

https://youtu.be/KID2xYCGtC4

I am so grateful to have been introduced to Kelly Beal who started her non-profit four years ago when her son took his life after having been bullied in school.  This type of emotionally driven project is one that is quite different than what I had imagined when I started the lecture series "If I Knew Then", but I can't ignore the importance of heart-centered leadership.  

To be able to navigate the waters of the unknown and keep moving through the challenges is what Kelly has done through keeping the focus on the primary purpose of her organization.  I don't think any other message could speak as strongly to the power of a life's mission.

Watch our conversation here:

https://youtu.be/e1jc8aSf84g

I have spent my life trying to find out what I am "meant" to do, and ultimately it has come down to, follow my heart.

Both my sister and I have personal interests in fostering leadership, her through her work environment, and me, well basically in all things.  Although it may or may not be relevant, I did get a degree in leadership after-all.  This series, however, is not as much about the scholarship of leadership as it is about how we start to recognize how to become the directors and leaders of our own lives.

Please join us as we share our thoughts and ideas.

Conversation One:  What is my Heart's Desire?
https://youtu.be/-CCELNTxHls

The Community House Network is starting two Lecture Series: If I Knew Then and Already Leading. These series are intended to share information, foster conversation, and build awareness around issues of starting new-businesses or leadership endeavors.  For those who are feeling a bit lost in their efforts to forge their own way as a small business or charity start-up off the ground, it is hoped that these conversations will spark new and renewed inspiration. 


What are the critical pieces we need to be successful in the marketplace?  
Why is a vision so important?
How do we stay responsive to the needs and wants of those we serve?
How do we clarify what we stand for and stay true to our mission and vision?
These and so many other issues of building a successful organization are the crux of our purpose for these lecture series. 

We intend that these very first recorded interviews will become the foundation for more engaged workshops developing specific elements of leadership and entrepreneurial mindsets necessary for success.  Stay tuned for workshop offerings in the future.  But for now, it is my pleasure to present the first offering.

This first inaugural conversation was held with my brother Jim Larrison, although I still affectionately refer to him as Max.  All my life he has been an example of success in starting up projects.  Honestly, I have watched from the sidelines without fully understanding, and so this conversation was as enlightening for me as it will be for you.

I hope you enjoy the first in our series.

JIM LARRISON
CCO DYNAMIC SIGNAL

https://youtu.be/X_aKySNVA9s
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