And the winner is…Tammie Lewis! (raucous applause and cheering…)
Tammie is now equipped with both really cute “To Do” and “What’s Cookin?” wipe off household boards courtesy of Christy Gandara at One Creative Bug. I apologize for the brain lapse where this giveaway was concerned, folks! And thanks to everyone that commented! Your input helps to continue to reinforce and build the virtual Leadership Education Community here on TommyMom.
I was talking with a friend last week…
that has chosen public education…
for her children.
They are a remarkable family.
It’s one of those…
in which leadership is defined…
by being servant-based…
quiet…
but very strong.
She and I concluded…
that culture…
is honestly…
the key to success…
or failure…
in most everything.
Culture as defined in Webster’s 1828 Dictionary is…
“The application of labor or other means to improve good qualities in, or growth;
as the culture of the mind:
the culture of virtue… Any labor or means employed for improvement, correction or growth.”
So often…
people focus…
primarily on method…
and methodology.
Reality dictates…
that cultures…
both created…
and non-spoken…
are powerful influences…
in outcome.
For instance…
when people ask Hero Hubby and I…
“how did we achieve…
(fill in the blank) with our children?”
Many times…
the answer stems from the culture…
that we have consciously created for our family.
And again…
we really must also consider…
the power of influence in what we don’t say…
where culture is concerned as well.
I was discussing this…
with my punk …
quite-possibly-overly-qualified brother today.
As always…
he had multiple insights…
going many directions…
with tremendous examples…
that left me thinking…
thinking…
thinking.
He generally has that effect on me…
when we’re having conversations like this.
Follow along if you will…
Text: “Are you at football practice?”
“No.”
“May I call you?”
He calls.
Tim: “What’s up?’
Me:”I’m wanting to discuss “culture”…
for the next few days on TommyMom.
Will you write an article?”
Tim: “Sure…
That’s a mighty wide open topic….
that could go so many different directions.”
Me: “Which is why I’d like you…
to take it in a couple of different ones”…
(proceeding to name the ones I had in mind.)
Tim: “Well, yes…
but what about all of the other directions…
that come to mind?
What about majority culture…
that influences…
the minority one you’ve created?”
Or…
“How do you change an undesirable culture?”
Then there is always…
“Unspoken Culture.”
“For instance…
why do we always ride escalators facing forward?
No one told us we had to do that.
It’s an unspoken given in our culture.”
See, readers…
this is what takes up valuable time!
It’s simply one more thing to ponder!
When I ride the escalator…
on any given “trip”…
I may or may not be facing forward…
due to several notable articles of fashion…
that are possibly traveling the other direction!
Oh, yes, indeed….
we are very different people.
With nearly identical values.
Hello, Andy Stanley tension…
on a very regular basis!
So…
start thinking about…
and noticing…
“cultures.”
I promise you…
really…
truly…
when Friday…
and several other intermittent days…
come rolling around…
and “Driver’s Ed” is posted…
you’re in for a real treat!
Until then,
Mentors are suppose to culture. I have wanted to study more on HOW to become a superb mentor. Could you suggest fiction or non-fiction materials that gives a vision and/or elements to being a great mentor? I know in the Face to Face with Greatness Seminar, Dr. Brooks suggested Dead Poets’ Society. I know there has to be other movies, books, CDs, and links to presentations that would help in this area. Maybe your favorite brother, other blog readers, or Obi One would have some ideas as well. Thanks, Teri!
[Reply]
Hi Debbie,
On the subject of books which inspire greatness and illustrate great mentors I recommend Little Men and Little Women by Alcott, Laddie by Gene Stratton Porter, Little Britches by Ralph Moody and Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham. I know that Teri could probably list a ton more but these are the ones which have had a great influence on me lately.
Enjoy!
[Reply]