Ohana

This week I had the good fortune to attend Entrepreneur Organization’s Global Leadership Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. Without fail, surrounding myself with the energy, intellect and excellence of hundreds of entrepreneurs revs me up like nothing else. It has been quite a while since I’ve attended a global EO event, so the energy here felt especially fresh and vibrant.

The theme of the conference was Ohana, a Hawaiian term signifying family, but in a broader sense. Beyond blood relatives, Ohana includes our closest friends, adopted family, and other close-knit communities to which we belong. In the opening session, a Hawaiian elder explained that Ohana also includes those family members who are no longer with us. He used the phrase “The past is in front of us, and the future is behind us.” This sounds confusing to the uninitiated, but it makes sense when you think that our parents who have passed away have given us a glimpse of our own future, and as we approach the end of our lives, those of us with children know that our children will carry a piece of us into the future. I appreciate the expansiveness of the concept.

As I prepare to lead EO Columbus’ membership recruitment efforts starting July 1st, I will be working to grow Central Ohio’s entrepreneurial community with this same expansive mindset.

One of the many benefits of being an EO member is the access the organization offers to world-class thought leaders. This week included keynote speeches and chats with Guy Kawasaki, Brad Montague, Deepak Chopra, Ryan Holiday and Marcus Lemonis. Each offered valuable insights, and made me so grateful to be a part of this community and able to work with so many amazing people to grow and strengthen it further.

Children’s author and creator of the amazing YouTube video series, Kid President - Brad Montague was for me the surprise hit of the conference. His creativity and passion are contagious. Talking about how entrepreneurs love to sink their teeth into “probertunities,” and his recognition that failure is a part of the process of growth with his Fail-A-Bration initiative were both funny and memorable. He reminded us that the two stories leaders must always be sharing are: 1) This is who we are, and 2) This is where we’re going.

Montague pointed out that using data helps us promote knowledge, but that good stories promote belief.

Lastly, he offered four rules for being a Time Scout (you must attend one of Montague’s Future Camp workshops to to learn what a Time Scout is). These rules apply to your average run-of-the-mill leaders too:

1) You cannot change the past.

2) We are custodians of NOW.

3) Time is to be experienced, not conquered. Enjoy it.

4) Clean up after yourself.

As business educator Peter Drucker once said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Go visit the future, Time Scouts, then come back to the present and get to work.

Sunday Supper

This Green Goddess Roasted Chicken looks amazing. I look forward to trying this Vietnamese Shrimp and Quinoa Salad recipe in the week ahead.

Sunday Music

Here’s some wonderful Hawaiian steel guitar music to soothe your Sunday. Enjoy!

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Have a great week ahead!  Offer support to others.  Make good use of this day.  And let me know how I can help.


Peace & Love,