This message is being composed on the eve of the ANE Princeton event that will have taken place on Sunday, March 22 at 2:00 pm. In the afternoon after addressing how members organize and take a proactive role in their week, Bob Weinhold will address the idiom “What’s good for the goose, is good for the gander.”

Last year while traveling extensively, I left my children a note when leaving on Sunday afternoon to “make new friends this week… and I will be checking up to make sure that you are making the world a better place.”

On Wednesday I called home to speak with the family and asked my daughter how she was doing with making new friends, “Pretty good Dad but I think I can make more by Friday.” I affirmed her efforts with great congratulations to which I was immediately confronted with “well, how are you doing with making new friends Dad?” 

Thrown back by her comment, I explained that my rationale for asking each of them to make new friends was the result of me traveling to discipline several employees and to help another find alternate employment. I thought their efforts would ‘help balance God’s universe.’ Much to my chagrin, my daughter said I had the responsibility to make new friends by the end of the week and “she would be checking in” on my progress, after which she quickly ended the conversation as I boarded my next flight.

The result is that I extended myself to another passenger on the plane in a way that I simply did not do in all of my regular travels. What happened next was a tremendous bond and friendship that has truly enhanced my life. The relationship I formed was with the Don Miller, The New York Times best-selling author, which afforded the opportunity to talk about Faith, Work, Family, Friendship, and developing deep relationships. I do believe that our meeting was facilitated by my initial request to my daughter that ended up being something that I should have done. No doubt for me that God’s Presence was in all of those interactions, which were possible when I chose to be humble, teachable, and aware.

What have you asked others to do that you are not doing yourself? Start those things now!

To be “Calm, Confident, and Connected”, we believe it involves intentional effort, so please join us for our  weekly call on Tuesday morning.

ANE will host “Inspired Leadership in 30” phone call:
Tuesday, March 24 at 7:30 am.
Call in number: (712) 775-7031(712) 775-7031 Enter ID #:  251-410-597