Why First Friday’s Fort Wayne?

Why First Friday’s Fort Wayne?

Hey everybody it’s Rob. I was asked to answer a couple questions to give you a little feedback in regards to First Friday’s.

How did I get involved in First Friday’s?
- Actually I was invited invited by a couple of people after I arrived here in Fort Wayne three years ago. I ended up going to my first one at the Indiana Wesleyan University Fort Wayne Ed Center. I was looking for a place where we could just come and be real, not worrying about having to practice our elevator speeches or impressing anyone with our specialized niche or area of skill we practice, but just being real with other. When I walked in that day my experience was exactly what I was hoping it would be. Since then I have had the privilege and awesome opportunity to work with some incredible people. Jim and Jere Johnson, the founders of First Friday’s, and of course all of the beautiful and wonderful board members of First Friday’s that make me a better person just being strong them. I am very thankful for that!

What leadership book would you recommend?
- As everybody knows there are a ton of leadership books out there so I’m just going to get real real basic here. Of course anyone who knows me knows that I’m going to say the Bible is number one! But something else to keep on your shelf that I really recommend is a very simple series of books, and they’re actually more like booklets. It’s called the Leadership 101 Series by John Maxwell. Each little booklet has a different topic that deals with certain leadership issues. I recommend it for the new leader who is just getting into the venue of leading and learning how to lead well. I also recommend that a seasoned leader keeps a series of these on their shelf, sometimes we can lead for so long we actually forget the basics of leadership and it is always important to go back and revisit once and awhile.

What is the best advice that I was given in regards to leadership?
- As the youngest person to be promoted into a supervisory role in the multimillion dollar pipeline company I was employed by, needless to say overwhelm came quickly. I remember walking into my new office and conducting my first act of duty in my new role. I sat down in my office chair, put my head on my desk and cried. As I did I asked my first question, “Lord, what have you done? I am now the supervisor over these guys who are my twenty-year seniors; these are the guys who trained me. What do I know to be able to teach them? I shouldn’t be in this position.” Immediately the Lord spoke to my spirit, “ I didn’t put you here because you know everything, I put you here because you’re humble enough to draw from those who do...” Hearing this changed my world, it changed my life and my perspective in regards to what real leadership is all about. Birthed out of that God gave me three quick and simple points that I have held close for years.

1. Always be humble
2. Always be teachable
3. Always be ready to lead

Write these down on post-it notes and place them everywhere you might need that encouraging reminder.

God bless you all! I pray you have had a wonderful CHRISTmas and are anticipating the great opportunities God will provide in the New Year!

Rob :^)

You Tube Link:
https://youtu.be/CkzyjmZ6ENo