October 1, 1989 is a day that I, unfortunately, carved into the heads and hearts of my friends and family. Thirty-one years ago I was twenty years old, thinking I was invincible, riding my Black 1989 Kawasaki Ninja 600R to work as a waiter at Luminarias restaurant in Monterey Park after dropping my girlfreind off at home. My usual route down Altadena Drive from New York Drive, through San Marino, Alhambra, and to the restaurant. However, when I stopped at the red light on the north side of the 210 freeway, that was the last I remembered until the first week of November 1989. I struck the left rear end of a car that, I believe, ran the red light. The rest I pieced together from the injuries I had. I broke all my ribs, my skull in three places and required resuscitation in the field and at the hospital.

It was during this unknown, vegetative state I laid in at Huntington Memorial Hospital ICU unit that friends and family were torn apart, stretched, and I knew nothing about it. God had other plans for me. The best part is the friends and bonds which have endured over the past thirty-one years and the love for the Lord which I have learn to submit to and share through my testimony.

Leadership requires humility and was it this accident and the trauma and all the pain which God used to get my attention? I think so. It worked. I looked for ways to help others, became an EMT, a Paramedic, an aviator and now changing the world of technology, one client at time. At Trinity Networx, we build relationships and provide value driven services through servant leadership and humble inquiry. Many small and medium companies have been burned by previous IT companies and our mission is to change that.

As a leader, one is always learning and requires listening, weather its to family, co-workers and God. Really listen and apply the knowledge to better the world.

We all know Michael from the movie “The Blind Side” and his Super Bowl win with the Ravens and his pounding with the Panthers this year.  His story is unique, he did not let anything get in his way and with the intervention of Jesus Christ through the Touhy’s were able to “adopt” and provide love and support needed to thrive.

There are not many athletes that are able to be true role models, not only to younger up and coming athletes, the next NFL star, the clandestine upbringing hopefuls but to community and business leaders.  Michael Oher has that ability.  In fact, at one of my marketing team meetings Michael was present and discussed a part of his story with us.

Michael was not a big fan of the movie.  The film makers implemented some theatrical license and added more areas of entertainment than actual events.  In fact, he mentioned that his teammates tease him about the movie.

Michael is a God fearing and humble, qualities needed by athletes and people alike.

His character, humility and perseverance through the circumstances of his childhood prevailed and is a lesson to all that you can beat the odds.

This past week I was visiting Houston and had the opportunity to join a Level 9 Tour.  A Level 9 Tour is a more private tour with a maximum of 12 people in a private van, no lines, lunch in the astronaut cafeteria and closer and more private looks at the campus.

As we were waiting for the tour to start, I noticed a banner highlighting a NASA employee and his book written.

When the tour guide introduced himself as David, handed us the VIP badges, and pictures for security, I recognized him from the banner highlighting his book.  He was making small talk as we were waiting stating that he did not know how we got stuck with him on this tour and asked if we had any questions.  I spoke up saying “Mr. Cisco (David L Cisco is his name) the book you wrote highlighted behind you is it that you or resemble that person.”  He laughed and his humility exuded from him and we learned much more as the tour went on.

We went to many different behind the scenes areas that others were not allowed to go.  Everywhere we went all NASA employees knew him, some called him boss and I just continued scratching my head asking, “Who is this guy?”

The final stop of the tour was the historic Mission Control where the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and some Space Shuttle missions were directed.  As a commercial pilot and flight instructor and avid space nerd (in fact as I write this I just noticed I am wearing an Apollo Mission t-shirt with 1 through 17 depicted) I was in awe of the history that took place in this room.  The victories.  The defeats. The tragedies.  This is where David pulled out his tablet and starting sharing his story and history with NASA.  He was an engineer associated with the Lunar Lander (LEM) project as well a milestone and receiving the Golden Snoopy Award presented to him by Astronaut Al Bean.  The Golden Snoopy Award is only held by approximately 0.04% of all NASA.  In order to earn you have to contribute to a mission in an extraordinary way.  His contribution was with Skylab mission.  When Skylab was launched a heat shield was ripped off and the temperature inside Skylab was about 40-50 degrees too hot to inhabit.  He chimed in and stated if they use the similar material which protected the LEM from heat and elements it can be taken to Skylab and expanded over the whole top the space craft.  It succeeded and dropped the temperature.  The rest is history.

You may ask why I am providing a history lesson.  I have to lay the ground work for what I learned from David L Cisco.  I read his book cover to cover back in my hotel room and was amazed at his story.  You can get info on it here, http://davidlcisco.com/.

David beat all odds from a persistent driven young man to an amazing representative of NASA.  I re-learned that persistence, drive, passion, and a never give in attitude is recognized.  He became a trained engineer and placed in some amazing projects that he flourished in.

As a leader, I always look for ways to grow and hone my craft.  David kept referring to him as one of four hundred people at NASA that helped solve problems.  I took away not only humility here but anyone in a company has an opportunity to shine when driven and given the opportunity to shine.  I pray that you as a leader of your organization can grow and.  This story, his success, his failures and his passion for what he does is exhilarating to any student of leadership.  I encourage you to read this book.

I recently had the pleasure to sit and listen to Steve Forbes at Trinity Networx. LLC (@TrinityNetworx) quarterly marketing and strategy meeting.  As the CEO/President/Co-Founder of Trinity Networx, LLC, I listen attentively to the authority on all things money.  Please note that the company I am privileged to lead is not focused on money but service and value.  What better way to understand value by understanding what money is!

Mr. Forbes questions he was asked was “What is Money?” and “What is wealth?”  These are his responses:

• Money measures value the way scales measure weight or clocks measure time.
• Money is a coat check. We determine what we get in return.
• Money measures well.
• Money makes buying and selling easier.
• If you cannot trust the money you will begin to cease to trust each other. It’s a social trust.
• Money isn’t wealth.
• Wealth is what you create with your products and services you deliver.
• Wealth is primarily intangible. Wealth is what the mind thinks its worth.

The list above is a lot to ponder and looking at this from a biblical perspective, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 CO 9:6) as well as Dave Ramsey’s philosophy which is to “live like no one else so later you can give like no one else.”  Since all things, including the company I GET to lead are blessing and property of Jesus’ I must maintain proper stewardship of it so we can give to our church and wherever else we are able to.

Finally Mr. Forbes discussed investing and made a short but power response.  He stated that investing emotions are your WORST enemy.  He also mentioned that if stocks are on sale or are bargain stocks—DO NOT BUY THEM.  This seems to me a value proposition.  When the absence of value price is a factor.  So are these stocks that Mr. Forbes states to stay away from, do they have value?  I say not as price is the only motivating factor here.

As a leader, entrepreneur, leadership coach and bondservant of Jesus Christ I must ensure that I exercise my God given gifts and talents providing high value products and services and exposing my family, my team, and clients to the joy I have in Him.  Peter Drucker said it well when he stated that you “should always remind yourself what you are trying to do by asking yourself what is your mission or purpose!”

I ask you, what is your purpose?  What is your mission?  I can talk with and coach you and work with you on a solution.  Please schedule a coaching call or other shorter time frames click the links below and would be humbled to share and coach:

Schedule a 15 Minute Consulting Call with Lance:  https://www.timetrade.com/book/JLYSC
Schedule a 30 Minute Consulting Call with Lance:   https://www.timetrade.com/book/V44PJ
Schedule a Coaching Call with Lance:  https://www.timetrade.com/book/58BBL

As I anxiously awaited for the Super Bowl on February 7, 2016 to start, I must say as a Seahawks fan I was rooting for the Denver Broncos, I was thinking back to all the showboating, dabbing, tearing of losing teams banners when a touchdown is made etc. by the so-called “leader” of the team, Cam Newton.  I use leader loosely here because the first pillar of being a leader is integrity and unfortunately Super Bowl 50 exposed Cam’s lack of integrity as well as his lack of character.

The 3 things I learned from Super Bowl 50:

1. Character: As a man of God I must reflect the image of Him in every facet of my life, weather on the playing field (Trinity Networx Office for me), home, church, sporting events etc.  We will tested for our faith in all these places weather suffering or in joyous times we must always be above reproach (Romans 5:3-4).  Peyton manning exemplified this and Cam Newton was exposed.  The Lord will ALWAYS expose sin.
2. Teamwork: The leader of the team or on a football team the quarterback must always be strong, positive and even tempered.  Seeing Cam Newton on the sideline on the grass pounding the grass like a little baby when he did not get his ice cream from his mommy sends a bad message to his team and embarrasses himself at the same time.  When his teammates saw that, I am sure they were a little thrown back by it because they may have never seen this behavior and in turn deflated them.  The other teammates may have felt defeated as well and did not give his all as his leader had thrown in the towel.
3. There is ALWAYS someone trying to take your spot: Never think that because you are at the top of your game weather in business or on the field that you are a shoe-in.  Someone will always be trying to knock you off and take your place.  This can apply to your clients in your business or the national football title. Stay vigilant.

As a leader we must always exemplify character, teamwork and always be vigilant and not become complacent.  A leader is ALWAYS learning.