Step Back from the Baggage Claim

Why?

2012-01-31T15:57:00.000-05:00

If you aren't familiar with Simon Sinek, I'd love to share him with you. His focus, framework, and clarity of purpose is compelling. His book Start With Why is a great gift to the world.

Anybody that knows me well knows that I relentlessly ask the ‘Why’ question in all that I do. Why are you doing what you do? I’m a firm believer that the ‘Why’ (or purpose) of any action, project, or organization, is what separates good efforts from exceptional, compelling movements.

With an exciting 2012 in front of us all, I’m often asked the question, “What do you have coming up next?” Well, I hope you’ll visit www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com to answer that question, but before we get to the ‘What’, I hope you’ll spend a couple moments with me focused on the ‘Why’.

From the beginning, this movement has been about contributing, encouraging, and inspiring more servant-leadership actions in the world. The ‘Why’ of all of this is to change the world. Sounds daunting I know, but this isn’t about silver-bullet solutions, it’s about small, intentional actions.

The ‘Why’ of all of this is to try to carry a grateful, compassionate, creative, and spirit of service into all that we do. And when we do just that, our individual lives, relationships, organizational cultures, and ultimately, our world, are changed.

From the ‘Why’ grows the ‘How’ and the ‘What’. Once we have clarity on ‘Why’ we do what we do then we can turn our attention to ‘How’ and ‘What’ we are called to bring to life in the world! We all have no shortage of ‘What’s’ going on in our lives, so I hope you’ll use this as an invitation today to ‘Step Back’, and return to your ‘Why’. The result = Your path will be more purposeful.

Travel Gracefully,

Jason Barger

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Remembering MLK

2012-01-16T11:03:00.000-05:00

‎"I come here tonight and plead with you...Believe in yourself and believe that you're somebody." -MLK

Travel Gracefully,
www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Entering 2012 With Purpose, Vision & Action

2012-01-03T14:50:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I’m very excited to be Co-Leading the Step Back / Spark Forward Visioning Event at Sparkspace in Columbus, Ohio on January 11, 2012. I hope you’ll join us!

This will be a phenomenal 5 hours of visioning, thought-provoking content, inspiration, networking, and powerful action planning for your year. There are only 50 seats available, so this event is for somebody that wants to enter 2012 with a fresh and renewed sense of purpose and vision.

The three keys to creating an amazing 2012 will drive this event:

Focus
Most people fail to achieve their goals because they focus on the wrong thing first -- they focus on what they think they need to DO. Sounds like typical New Year’s Resolutions, right? However, most innovative and successful people first decide who they need to BE in the world, then the doing becomes almost automatic. This event will provide you with inspiration and thoughtful activities that will create a powerful shift in your focus.

A Framework
If you struggle with self-reflection, evaluation, and improvement, you are not alone. Many struggle with those things because they've never learned how to think about them effectively. A good process will help. This event will provide you with thought-provoking questions, activity, and discussion to help you discover what it's really going to take to achieve your goals this year.

Time & Space
When was the last time you dedicated more than a few moments to think, dream, and plan a more amazing future for yourself? You work hard for everything and everybody that's important to you, yet rarely reserve any time time or energy to work on you. We will provide you with the time and space you need -- the time and space you deserve -- to think, dream, and take the first critical, crucial steps on your personal path for this year.

The Step Back/Spark Forward Visioning Event is a totally unique, half-day experience that promises to help you create a powerful, compelling vision for your work-life in 2012. Why are we focusing it on work? Because you will spend more of your waking hours at work in 2012 than you will anywhere else. Statistics show that a staggering number of people are not happy at work and aren’t sure how to renew their situation. Our work life and attitude spills over into the rest of life.

Please visit THIS LINK to learn more and register to be a part of this intimate event. Again, there are only a small number of seats still available - so we hope you’ll act fast (but purposely)!

Travel Gracefully,

Jason

Dallas, Toronto, and NYC

2011-12-12T13:22:00.000-05:00

It was wonderful to be "up in the air" last week with trips to Dallas and Toronto. I had the distinct pleasure to visit with the terrific ladies at Gail Davis & Associates in Dallas and then was off to Toronto to celebrate the holidays with the fabulous team at Speakers' Spotlight. Both of these teams are filled with talented people that help to spread the spirit of this Movement. Thanks to them for all their great work!

In the midst of those travels it was also my pleasure to be a guest on the "Chattin In Manhattan" radio program. It was a great hour-long conversation about the Movement, the purpose, and power behind our small actions everyday. The recording is below:

Listen to internet radio with Chattin In Manhattan on Blog Talk Radio

Travel Gracefully,
www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Thank You, Jimmy V!

2011-11-30T19:27:00.000-05:00

I have to watch it every year. It gets me every time. I hope you'll take 11 minutes and watch it again too. Thank you, Jimmy V!

Travel Gracefully,
www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

"Lost Boys of Sudan"

2011-11-22T09:39:00.002-05:00

Last week was filled with excitement, inspiration, and friendships along the Step Back from the Baggage Claim journey!

Two days were spent at the University of Cincinnati. Day one involved a presentation with my good friend, Bol Aweng, one of the “Lost Boys of Sudan” for their “International Education Week”. It was my honor to introduce Bol and to help lead a program with him to connect UC students and staff to the story of the Lost Boys and what all this means for International Education, Study Abroad, and how our eyes choose to see the world. Learn more about Bol and his project to operate a health clinic in his old village in Southern Sudan at www.SudanClinic.org.

Day two was equally compelling - I was invited to be the Keynote speaker for the “Rock the World” event to celebrate service-learning. 50 faculty and students came together to collaborate, honor, and highlight the incredible service-learning projects they are leading all around the globe. It was a true honor to get to speak to such an inspiring group of people.

Lastly, my week ended with leading a four hour workshop with the 50 staff at the Ohio State University’s South Centers campus in Piketon, Ohio. It was a great day discussing the baggage claim around this hub of research, incubation, and education.

Quick Video

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Education Edition Is Released!

2011-11-03T07:02:00.000-04:00

Thank you to everyone for their wonderful support! The new EDUCATION EDITION has now been released! I hope you'll share this with any students, teachers, or administrators along your path.

Here's a short video highlighting the new EDUCATION EDITION.

Travel Gracefully,
www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

EDUCATION EDITION - coming November 1st!

2011-10-17T12:03:00.000-04:00

The Business Leader Edition and Healthcare Leader Edition continue to spread throughout the world and receive a terrific response. Leaders, teams, and organizations are inviting their employees to Step Back and stimulate progress in regards to their Leadership Development, Culture, and Service in the world.

NOW, it’s time for the EDUCATION EDITION! Thanks to incredible encouragement from educators across the country, I’m excited to announce this edition will be released November 1st! Christian Long, a national Educational Consultant, adds his insights in the Foreword about the current state around the baggage claim of Education. It is so inspiring to see educators, schools, universities, and students thinking about how they want to contribute their gifts to the needs of the world!

If there is an educator or student in your life, I hope you’ll invite them to join this movement and share this message within their school district!

Learn More HERE

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

The Power of Video

2011-10-03T17:09:00.001-04:00

It’s no secret that we live in a different world today. Clear communication in today’s world often requires a multi-faceted approach that taps into many different platforms and ways of messaging (printed word, spoken, social media, etc). If you want your message to be heard than you need to package it in such a way that it is accessible to the world.

The Step Back from the Baggage Claim movement has never only been about a book. It’s about the grateful, compassionate, servant-leadership message. The book was just the first way of beginning this conversation with the world. It was the first tool to tell this story and to share this message. I’m so glad that this platform continues to resonate with people.

It is my hope that books continue to be treasured by people well into the future and the written word remains powerful. I’m confident it will. However, I also know that in order for this message to reach its fullest potential and for me to be the best steward of this spirit, I have to continue to create opportunities to share this message across platforms: written, spoken, social media...and Yes, VIDEO.

Did you know?

A minute of video is worth 1.8 million words, according to Dr. James McQuivey of Forrester Research (January 2009).

Forbes Insight (December 2010) found that 59% of senior executives prefer to watch video instead of read text, if both are available on the same web page. 80% of executives are watching more online video today than they were a year ago.

Video in email marketing has been shown to increase click-through rates by over 96% (Implix 2010)

Our fast-moving and frenetic culture makes video a very attractive medium. It is a terrific way to share a story, a message, or insight with other people along their life journey. Along with the books, speeches, one-on-one coaching, consulting, and workshops, video will continue to be a powerful way to share this spirit.

I hope you’ll visit my Video Channel on YouTube, click “Subscribe” (free), and help share this spirit with others along your path!

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Leadership, Purpose, and Progress

2011-09-23T11:29:00.000-04:00

Anyone that knows me, knows that the first question I ask when invited to join a meeting, consult for an organization, or speak to an audience is, “What’s the purpose of this gathering?”

I ask this question not only because I have experienced many meetings, projects or organizations where it has become habit for the group to lose sight of their mission and trapped in logistics, but because I believe “clarity of purpose” is critical to any endeavor. The most successful teams, leaders, or organizations in our world let the mission drive every decision and put everything through the filter of “Does this contribute to fulfilling our purpose?”

You also may know about me that “air travel” has been a tremendously profound metaphor for the mobile world we live in today. Believe it or not, our airport experiences can teach us a lot about managing our teams, projects, and how we choose to travel as an organization. The airports -- much like our fast-paced organizations we move in and out of everyday -- become the spaces where our professional lives intersect. There are obstacles, delays, and cancellations that are out of our control, but our success is defined by how we respond with those “we’re traveling with.” So, as I work with organizations to help strengthen their Leadership Development, Service, Vision, and Culture, I invite them to remember these lessons (and many more) along their journey:

Step Back from the Baggage Claim

Before your team begins rushing toward the metaphorical baggage claim - frantically trying to claim the next actions in your current project - begin by stepping back from the madness of the details to gain perspective. Step Back to make sure everyone is on the same page for the purpose and objectives. When we are clear and deeply rooted in “why” we do what we do, the “how” we choose to do it grows naturally out of the mission. Are you making time and space for your team to Step Back and become more purposeful about why/where they’re going?

Seat 16 F: Be Available

Building relationships is the core of any successful entity. Call it networking. Call it teammate development. Or, just call it being human. When we drop our guard and allow ourselves to be available for those we sit next to on the airplanes, at the conference tables, or in the food courts, we open ourselves to authentic connections. Itʼs a fact - when we connect with those weʼre “traveling with”, weʼre better at what we do as a team. Are you making it a priority to develop the culture within your team?

Good luck on the next leg of your journey!

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Back To Where This All Began

2011-09-12T17:00:00.000-04:00

I had the pleasure today to give a presentation to the 50 person executive leadership team at the Columbus Airport Authority. It was fun to share about how the Step Back movement continues to spread around the globe and how the metaphor is adding value to leadership development, organizational culture, vision, and service. It's a good practice every once in awhile to Step Back and return to where all this began...the airport!

Travel Gracefully,
www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

'Stepping Back' To Begin A New Year With Purpose

2011-08-26T11:30:00.002-04:00

On August 22, I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker and workshop leader for two School District’s in northeast, Ohio. It was a tremendous day of collaboration between the Indian Valley School District and the Tuscarawas Valley School District. Over 450 teachers, administrators, and staff came together for their “In-Service” kickoff for a new year!

The baggage claim in the world of education right now is quite chaotic, intense, and ambiguous about many things moving into the future. Many educators feel like they are standing in the midst of the chaos and are left trying to navigate themselves (and others) through the obstacles, delays and cancellations they are experiencing. With budget cuts, collective bargaining agreements, many educators feeling devalued, and the pressure to “do more with less”, much of this scene seems scary and out of control for many educators.

So, this was the perfect way to kickoff a new year with positivity and purpose for their true mission - serving kids! It was a terrific opportunity to take a Step Back and gain perspective, reconnect to their passion and purpose in education, and identify what aspects are still well within their control to stimulate progress. It was a day of processing this uncertainty with positivity, care, creativity, and purpose.

It was an honor to watch the powerful impact this spirit was able to have with people who are striving everyday to make a difference in the lives of kids. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive!

I was thrilled to be able to thank these dedicated educators for the work they do every day to create positive learning environments for kids. Thanks again to all of the fabulous educators in the Indian Valley and Tuscarawas Valley School Districts!

Travel Gracefully,

Jason

“Jason's presentation at our 2011 opening convocation for teaching and support staff set the tone for the exact culture we are building and nurturing as professional educators. The notions of compassion, dedication, and service to others can be easily overlooked in this age of accountability and testing standards. Jason was able to revitalize these ideas and bring them to the forefront of priorities for our staff!”

- Bob Fogler, Superintendent, Indian Valley Local School District

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Sparking Leadership

2011-08-25T09:21:00.000-04:00

How do we spark authentic leadership in our teams and organizations? What are the key attributes that are needed in the 21st Century? Do we dedicate time and space to invest in our own development, our teams, and the development of our organizations as a whole?

Here is Part 6 of the short video series with Sparkspace founder, Mark Henson. It continues to be an honor and privilege to be adding value and leadership to companies and organizations who are interested in strengthening their Leadership Development, Culture, Service, or Vision for their future!

Travel Gracefully,
www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Connectedness

2011-08-16T11:06:00.000-04:00

Does it really matter if we "Connect" to each other? What difference does it really make for our lives, our work, and our world?

Here's Video #5 in the series with Sparkspace founder, Mark Henson. Fortunately, there are organizations around the globe who honor "Connectedness" with their employees, clients, and world. Join the Movement.

Travel Gracefully,
www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Sparking Creativity

2011-08-09T09:22:00.000-04:00

Here's VIDEO #4 in the short series with Sparkspace founder, Mark Henson. As one of the most innovative retreat centers in the nation, Sparkspace is not only providing companies and organizations with physical space to connect with their teams, but emotional space to dream. It's an honor and privilege to be facilitating workshops and providing content for clients of Sparkspace.

Today's video topic = Sparking Creativity!

Travel Gracefully,
www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Sparking Progress

2011-08-04T10:13:00.000-04:00

Today's video is #3 from the short video series with SparkSpace founder, Mark Henson. These discussions highlight topics that are resonating within organizations of all shapes and sizes and their pursuit of stronger leadership, vision, culture, and service.

The topic of this video... Sparking Progress!

Travel Gracefully,
www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Sparking Service

2011-07-26T13:07:00.000-04:00

Here's Part 2 of the Sparkspace video series with Mark Henson. Today's topic...Sparking Service.

Learn more at www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com or www.Sparkspace.com

Travel Gracefully,

Sparking Positivity

2011-07-21T11:08:00.001-04:00

It's been wonderful to see the Step Back leadership spirit resonating with organizations across the nation. One of the most creative locations where Step Back continues to add value is at Sparkspace. Sparkspace, the most creative conference and retreat center in the nation, provides the optimal environment for companies and organizations to Step Back, reconnect to their teammates, vision, and recommit to their journey together.

This is Part 1 of a video series with Sparkspace founder, Mark Henson. Today's topic = Sparking Positivity!

Travel Gracefully,
www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Learn more about Stepping Back with your team at Sparkspace by visiting www.Sparkspace.com.

Fear Factor

2011-07-11T17:30:00.001-04:00

"Listen to your fear, but don't obey it. The reason you're afraid is that there's leverage here, something might happen."

- Seth Godin

One of the most common responses when things don’t go the way we hoped is, “I was afraid.” The list below shows many of the common things that get mentioned when people list what drives their fear.

1. FEAR OF FLYING

2. FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

3. FEAR OF INTIMACY

4. FEAR OF DEATH

5. FEAR OF FAILURE

6. FEAR OF REJECTION

7. FEAR OF HEIGHTS

8. FEAR OF THE DARK

9. FEAR OF SPIDERS

10. FEAR OF COMMITMENT

I wonder what might happen if we didn’t obey our fears today? I wonder what could be accomplished? Maybe I’ll try.

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Beauty at 15,000 Feet

2011-06-30T11:50:00.001-04:00

The view from 15,000 feet never gets old. The fluffy, cotton-white clouds seem to go on forever. Sunlight stretches through the sea of white and illuminates the beautiful canvas of greens, browns, and blues below. The tiny houses, buildings, and road ways indicate a flurry of activity, but from above, everything seemingly stands still.

This year has required many flights throughout my schedule. And, when I’ve stopped long enough in the midst of my journey from Point A to Point B to gaze at the view from above, it’s still inspiring. It’s a continuous reminder of the vastness of our world and the awesomeness of being able to take flight. The view from 15,000 feet is an important one. It allows us to recognize all that has been created, all the progress achieved, the opportunity for future progress, the beauty within, and the blessing that we get to participate in this creation.

Throughout this Step Back from the Baggage Claim movement, it has been my privilege to speak to organizations nationwide and lead them through an experience of Stepping Back and reconnecting to Purpose, Perspective, and what it means to stimulate Progress. It has been my observation and personal experience that we spend so much of our daily lives (obviously) at the ground level. We’re trying to move from Point A to Point B, putting out fires that appear along the way, and trying to navigate our way through the cluttered traffic.

In order to unleash our very best in the world, we must create time and space to Step Back and find that 15,000 foot view. It’s from that angle of vision that we are able to intentionally assess the path we’re taking, the progress we’re making, and how to travel more purposefully, efficiently, effectively, and sustainably.

As John McGuire and Vance Tang from the Center for Creative Leadership shared in Forbes magazine,

“When we don’t slow down, we run the risk of spending time and money reacting to symptoms. When leaders hit the pause button on action and decision making, they can have different and deeper conversations. Instead of focusing on speed, they can focus on learning, exploration and collaboration. Slowing down helps you see information, patterns and issues that were previously overlooked and unclear. You can find multiple right answers and integrate them for better decisions and sustainable solutions. Complexity takes on a new hue.”

In the near future, what can you, your team and organization do to Step Back and see the 15,000 foot view? It’s counter-intuitive, I know, but Stepping Back actually allows us to Move Forward with stronger Purpose, Perspective, and more compelling Progress. Good luck on the next leg of your journey!

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

PS. If you’re interested in learning more about “creating time and space as a team”, I invite you to WATCH THIS VIDEO

Message from Dallas

2011-06-10T09:29:00.000-04:00

It was a great trip to Dallas, Texas this week! I hope you enjoy this quick video blog from the road. My time visiting the Southwest Airlines headquarters and presenting at the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership Conference was wonderful!

How will you commit to developing leaders and shaping the culture in your organization? I'll meet you at the baggage claim.

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Motivation

2011-06-03T11:27:00.000-04:00

Just a little comic relief heading into the first weekend in June. Some of us may need a little motivation and perspective as we begin a new season of riding bikes with our kids. Step Back and enjoy this motivational speech!

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Wise Leadership

2011-05-17T16:59:00.000-04:00

This month’s edition of the Harvard Business Review names the development of “Wise Leadership” within individuals and organizations as critical for the 21st Century. In a fast-moving, ever-changing, global world, leaders need to be equipped to adapt, vision, articulate, and mobilize resources. According to the HBR, these are six characteristics of the “wise”:

1) Wise leaders make decisions only after they figure out what is good for the organization and society.
2) They can quickly grasp the essence of any situation or problem and intuitively fathom the nature and meaning of people, things, and events.
3) They constantly create informal as well as formal shared contexts for senior executives and employees to construct new meaning through their interactions.
4) They know how to use metaphors and stories to convert the essence of their actual experiences into tacit knowledge for individuals and groups.
5) They exercise political power to bring together people with conflicting goals and spur them to action.
6) They encourage the development of practical wisdom in others, especially employees on the front lines, through apprenticeship and mentoring.

Stepping Back is about unlocking the wise leader in all of us! Is your organization investing in the development of wise leaders?

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

From The Road...

2011-05-02T16:50:00.000-04:00

April was a wonderful month for the Step Back Movement! The servant-leadership spirit traveled to Minneapolis, MN, Hanover, NH, Lima, OH, and beyond. Below is a brief rundown of how the message connected to leaders across many sectors.

BUSINESS - It was my pleasure to be the Keynote Speaker for the Carlson School of Management's "Business Day" event. Over 250 students, faculty, and corporate sponsors in Minneapolis came together to celebrate business leadership and equipping the future leaders of tomorrow. The Step Back metaphor and discussion about 21st Century Leadership meshed beautifully with the school's campaign to "Do One Thing" to make a difference in the world. It was quite obvious that these business students are passionate about using their skills to leave a positive imprint on organizations and our world.

HEALTHCARE - My next stop was in beautiful Hanover, New Hampshire at Dartmouth College. The Dartmouth Medical School is the fourth oldest medical school in the country, but their students and leadership are certainly not old fashioned in their thinking. It was an inspiring couple of days and exciting to lead a 4 Hour Workshop for students, faculty, and staff. It was very encouraging to see the passion that exists to keep patient-centered care at the heart of healthcare. Leadership is going to be critical to transforming this complex system and Dartmouth will be taking the lead.

EDUCATION - Over 500 students, teachers, and mentors packed their way into the Fort Jennings High School gymnasium for the Ohio Association for Student Councils annual conference. Their mantra of "Leadership, Citizenship, Sportsmanship" fit perfectly with the Step Back themes of gratitude, compassion, and servant-leadership. There is no doubt that the world of education right now needs to take a Step Back to redefine Purpose, Perspective, and what Progress will look like into the future.

It's an honor (and truly humbling) to see the Step Back message adding value across so many sectors, organizations, and communities. Thanks to all who help spread the spirit! We'll see where it leads next.

"What is honored will be cultivated." - Plato

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

The Human Element

2011-04-11T14:26:00.000-04:00

We live in a fast-moving world. In our families, communities and organizations, there are many elements changing right before our eyes. In our rush to make our systems more efficient and effective, we sometimes overlook the most important element - the Human Element.

The chemistry of our surroundings fundamentally change when we invest in the people and relationships within our world. When positively cultivated, the Human Element infuses care, talents, and leadership into the culture. It is the element that takes us beyond what we thought was possible.

How are you investing in the Human Element in your life and organization?

* Thanks to the people at Dow for this terrific commercial!

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Give Me Your Eyes For Humanity

2011-03-24T14:48:00.000-04:00

A friend shared this song with me recently. It reminded me of the Anais Nin quote, "We don't see things as they are, we see them as WE are." In the busyness of our everyday lives we can sometimes miss the needs of those right around us. When we Step Back and allow ourselves to see with new eyes, we make room for our best leadership to emerge and the opportunity to serve.

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Step Back and Education

2011-03-07T09:16:00.000-05:00

On February 18, I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker and workshop leader for the River View Local School District’s “in-service day” in northeast, Ohio. 200 teachers and administrators from the district entered the auditorium with a lot on their plates.

The baggage claim in the world of education right now is quite chaotic, intense, and ambiguous about many things moving into the future. Many educators feel like they are standing in the midst of the chaos and are left trying to navigate themselves (and others) through the obstacles, delays and cancellations they are experiencing. With looming budget cuts, collective bargaining agreements, and the pressure to “do more with less”, much of this scene seems scary and out of control to most educators.

It was a terrific day to be able to take a Step Back and gain perspective, reconnect to their passion and purpose in education, and identify what aspects are still well within their control to stimulate progress. It was a day to process this uncertainty with positivity, care, creativity, and purpose.

It was an honor to watch the powerful impact this spirit was able to have with people who are striving everyday to make a difference in the lives of kids. Thank you to the fabulous educators in the River View district!

Travel Gracefully,

Jason

“Jason's presentation was right on target with the values and beliefs we strive for in our school district. He gave us all something to think about and his presence made us all reconnect to the privilege it is to serve our students, their families, and the staff we work with. We came away from the day feeling energized and encouraged about the job we have to do everyday.

Jason's message is refreshing."

- Kyle Kanuckel, Superintendent, River View Local School District

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Spark Your Creativity

2011-02-25T15:03:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a great morning! All of the 60 “limited spots” available were filled for the Step Back from the Baggage Claim workshop at Sparkspace in Columbus, Ohio. Sparkspace, the most creative conference center around, was the perfect spot to Step Back.

Managers, Team Leaders, and creative individuals came together to Step Back and take inventory on the current state of their professional life, personal life, and who they want to be in the world. It was a wonderful group of people and an inspiring conversation about infusing a spirit of servant-leadership into our work and culture, and identifying the leadership actions needed to stimulate progress in a fast-moving world.

This 90 minute workshop was just an introductory experience for future teams and organizations that are looking to spark new creativity, connections, and progress within their work. In a fast-paced and high-pressure world, we all need to find physical space and emotional space to Step Back and reconnect, dream, and focus. Sparkspace is now offering these Step Back workshops for their clients:

Step Back from the Baggage Claim: Reconnect Your Team To Mission and Purpose

Turning the Ketchup Bottle Upside Down: A Creative Process For Your Planning Coming Soon!

Learn more about hosting a Step Back from the Baggage Claim workshop for your staff at Sparkspace HERE.

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

The Year of the Bully

2011-02-17T11:53:00.001-05:00

Every night on the national news there seems to be another account of a child being bullied by his peers. Tragically, over the last 12 months we’ve witnessed a rising trend of “cyber bullying” cases with kids across the country. The fabulous advances in technology and social media have also brought the opportunity to “send” an attack on someone at all hours of the day. Now the school yard bullies of the past don’t even have to be on the same playground to bully their targets. They can sit back and calculate how they want to turn up the pressure - one networked message at a time.

Experts, teachers, and caring adults from across the world are now reaching out and trying to understand this horrible problem. Clever ad campaigns, nonprofit organizations, and influential celebrities are now lending their voice to this issue. Many have wondered how we got here. Many are searching for answers on how to reverse this bullying spirit.

This past fall, I remember sitting on my couch one evening and watching a segment on the news about the latest bullying incident. When the telecast went to commercial, the political ads began. Commercial after commercial bombarded the screen with each candidate attacking the other - one slandering comment after the next. The focus of every single ad was on tearing down the abilities of the other candidate. From their distant studios, our future elected leaders were modeling for all of us how to lead by bullying.

Hmmmmmm.

Another rising trend - FOOTBALL! There is no doubt anymore that football is (and has been for awhile) America’s true pastime. This year’s Super Bowl was viewed by over 111 million people - making it the most-watched U.S. television program ever. I’m one of the millions who really love football. Kids all across the country (and world) are growing up and witnessing a sport and league at the height of its popularity. Just about everything associated with football is successful (and profitable).

Now enters the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the team owners and players union - another hot story in the media right now. If the players and the owners don’t come to an agreement about how to share this huge profitable pie, this dominant league may be forced to take their ball and go home. As ESPN analyst, John Clayton, described it, “It’s Billionaires fighting with Millionaires about who gets what.”

Ben Volin of the Miami Post described the negotiations so far, “Purely and simply, it’s about the owners (the billionaires) wanting more money. And it appears they will try to bully the players until they get their way.”

Hmmmmmm.

So, what messages will I choose to ‘send’ today? What kind of leadership will I choose to model? What spirit will I choose to share with those around me? Maybe that’s how we all participate in changing the culture - one, thoughtful message at a time. Leadership can be modeled by all.

I’ll meet you at the baggage claim.

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

2011 - The 'Why' Drives The 'What'

2011-02-01T15:46:00.002-05:00

Anybody that knows me well knows that I relentlessly ask the ‘Why’ question in all that I do. Why are you doing what you do? I’m a firm believer that the ‘Why’ (or purpose) of any action, project, or organization, is what separates good efforts from exceptional, compelling movements.

With an exciting 2011 in front of us all, I’m often asked the question, “What do you have coming up next?” Well, I hope you’ll visit www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com to answer that question, but before we get to the ‘What’, I hope you’ll spend a couple moments with me focused on the ‘Why’.

Travel Gracefully,

Jason Barger

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

'Step Back' Spreads To Healthcare

2011-01-18T15:27:00.001-05:00

It continues to be fascinating, wonderful, and inspiring to watch the Step Back from the Baggage Claim spirit spread throughout the world. It has been an affirming and exhilarting process to hear about people passing the book around the world, seeing the story featured by the global media, and witnessing first-hand how people are putting the spirit into action in their personal lives, faith communities, universities, non-profits, and businesses.

Now, the Step Back way of being, thinking, and caring is moving into the world of Healthcare! With the launch of the new “Healthcare Leader Edition”, the spirit of Step Back from the Baggage Claim is making its way into discussions about leadership and the future of healthcare.

In this video, I’m joined by Dr. Chip Souba, Dean of the Dartmouth Medical School, in a discussion about leadership in healthcare. He and I are excited to carry this conversation further into the healthcare world.

I hope you’ll share Step Back from the Baggage Claim in your organization!

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

2011... In A Sentence

2011-01-05T11:51:00.003-05:00

We’re in the time of New Year’s Resolutions. But rather than focusing on weight loss or caffeine, for just a few moments, I invite you to think slightly deeper.

If you had to describe who you want to be in 2011, what would your sentence be? How do you want to articulate the way you hope to move throughout our world?

Daniel H. Pink, author of A Whole New Mind and Drive, encourages us all to dive more deeply into what motivates us. He encourages the exercise of identifying the simple, targeted sentence that steers our daily actions.

Two questions that can change your life from Daniel Pink on Vimeo.

For 2011, what will your personal sentence be? For your organization, what will your sentence be? And, equally important, will you commit to the ongoing process of bringing that sentence to life each day?

I’ll meet you at the baggage claim.

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

PS. My sentence? It's a work in progress...“He inspired and contributed more servant-leadership actions in the world.”

Holiday Gift Specials

2010-12-10T09:22:00.004-05:00

Many of you have inquired about any special Step Back from the Baggage Claim gift discounts for the holidays. I’m glad you’re interested in spreading the servant-leadership spirit of this movement to the loved ones in your life!

CLICK HERE to learn more about these specials (limited time only):

The Holiday Gift Bundle
The new “Business Leader Edition” or
The pre-released “Healthcare Leader Edition”

For other merchandise like tshirts and travel gear, CLICK HERE

I wish you a holiday season filled with grateful moments!

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Spreading Beyond All Boundaries

2010-12-01T12:57:00.003-05:00

It has been a true honor to see so many media outlets around the world choosing to celebrate the Step Back from the Baggage Claim movement. From the New York Times to local magazines, newsletters or blogs around the globe, it continues to be a phenomenal experience watching this servant-leadership spirit spread!

Today, 614 Magazine joined the plethora of other story-tellers throughout the world. To read this article about the Step Back Movement, Click Here.

“Love the moment and the energy of the moment

will spread beyond all boundaries.”

- Corita Kent

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

THANK YOU.

2010-11-24T14:13:00.000-05:00

"If the only prayer you ever say in your life is 'Thank You', it will be enough."
- Meister Eckhart
There is so much to be thankful for all around us. However, I know that I can't fully articulate all that I have to be grateful for in my life right now. I picture the faces of my loved ones and friends. I feel the warm house that shelters my family at night. I see the abundance of food that surrounds me in ways that much of the world does not experience. I'm aware of the exciting work that lies before me. I pause to remember what a privilege it is to serve another human being in some capacity.
Each Thanksgiving, I enjoy the 'Step Back' moment that comes with this holiday and the invitation to take inventory of our lives. As I try my best to say 'Thank You' again this year, I hope the spirit moves beyond words and this one day in the calendar and carries with me into the coming days. I hope a spirit of Thanksgiving continues to move throughout our world.
Travel Gracefully,
www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

From The Road...

2010-11-15T10:05:00.001-05:00

This fall has been filled with many profound opportunities to share the Step Back from the Baggage Claim spirit! The servant-leadership message is connecting with organizations of all kinds who are hoping to infuse new energy, new commitment, new ideas, and a new spirit to their culture.

Here are just a couple of videos from the road:

TEDx Columbus Event - over 400 people across all sectors came together to celebrate "Ideas Worth Spreading."

Kelley School of Business at Indiana University - It was an honor to present about Step Back from the Baggage Claim and "21st Century Leadership."

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Deep Autumn

2010-11-05T09:41:00.000-04:00

Last week, I found myself racing out of a meeting in order to get on with my day and attack the looming ‘to do’ list swirling throughout my brain. My thoughts wrestled to debrief the meeting I had just left while simultaneously colliding with thoughts of preparation for what was next on my calendar. Sprinkle in the sound of the radio, a ringing cell phone, and backed-up cars at the traffic light, and you’ve got the common image of the life many of us move in and out of everyday.

As I came across the Fishinger bridge, the explosion of fall colors on the trees and reflection off of the river invited me into a new experience. The sun was shining and the autumn breeze called for a different pace. Fortunately, I gave myself permission to alter my immediate route.

I steered my way down toward the river. For 15 minutes, I allowed myself to sit on a rock at the edge of the water - my feet dangling free and surrounded by the soothing sound of the wind dancing with the falling leaves. I let deep, full breaths fill my lungs as I thought not just about the tasks on my list, but the gratitude of ‘why’ I’m doing the work that I am in the world. I thought about all the people in my life that I have to be thankful for. It was a moment that got me out of just doing and into just being.

It was amazing what that fifteen minutes of liberation did for the rest of my day. As I merged back into the traffic of life, I was more purposeful, aware, and capable of delivering the quality of work that I want to be a part of. My perspective and spirit had been gracefully altered and I was reminded to share in the creation of today.

Today, as I reflect back on that moment, I’m reminded of a short poem by the Japanese Poet Basho:

Deep Autumn -

my neighbor,

how does he live, I wonder?

Toward the end of this year’s ‘Deep Autumn’, I hope to make time to experience how he lives. I want to join him and share a different pace and spirit along my path.

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Celebrating TEDx Columbus!

2010-10-25T15:29:00.000-04:00

It was an honor to speak at the TEDx Conference this past friday in Columbus. The TED phenomenon (Technology, Entertainment, Design, www.TED.com) has spread all around the world and this was the second year that Columbus has joined the celebration.

“Ideas Worth Spreading” is the catch phrase for TED and the Columbus line-up did not disappoint. I was thoroughly impressed with the other 13 presenters and honored to share the stage with them. They challenged our thinking about healthcare, creativity, design, art, philanthropy, and more. Learn more about this year’s speakers at http://www.tedxcolumbus.com/speakersperformers/.

As the final speaker of the day, it was my privilege to try to wrap up a day full of rich ideas. I reminded the sold-out crowd that TED is not just about a collection of nice stories. TED is not a one day drive-thru experience of inspiration. TED, at its best, is about what will happen from this moment moving forward. The truly profound impact of TED is when the ideas connect in authentic ways with human beings and lead to real world actions.

Poet, Eugene Ware said, “All glory comes from daring to begin.”

I can’t wait to watch (and be a part of) the ripples that will take place from all of the people that left the conference and ‘dared to begin’ something in their life. Imagine the impact we can have in our organizations, families, churches, and schools when we ‘dare to begin’ with a new spirit. Imagine what leadership can emerge when we ‘dare to begin’ addressing the challenges that lie before us. Imagine what can be created when we ‘dare’ to ask, “What If?” Imagine how the human family can become closer when we ‘dare’ to spread even more gratitude, compassion and service to others along our path.

Imagine.

Now begin.

Thank you to Ruth Milligan, Nancy Kramer, and their whole team for bringing the community together!

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

I Missed That...Sorry, I Was Texting! :)

2010-10-07T07:45:00.003-04:00

My good friend (Ben) sent me an email this week. It went to some of his closest family and friends and shared a personal story about texting while driving. He talked about how stupid the idea of texting while driving is, but yet how he always seems to find himself getting pulled back into the habit. The simple invitation of his email: Join him and commit to stop this unsafe and 100% preventable behavior.

His email reminded me of an image from my recent trip to Seattle, WA. I had a few days to enjoy the gorgeous city and reflect on the message I was asked to share as one of the keynote speakers at Gnomedex - “A Tech Conference of Inspiration and Influence”. The day before my speech, I took advantage of the nice weather and set out to walk the beautiful, steep streets of downtown Seattle. I do some of my best thinking when I can get outside, move around, and observe my surroundings.

With each step among the bustling crowd in the city, I thought about the pace of life and instantaneous world of technology that we are living in. At that moment, perhaps the most appropriate image for this discussion emerged. As I came around a corner, I was met by a police officer:

driving a Segway (see photo)
sending a text message while driving it, and
racing down the steep, crowded street toward the water.

Even the people that are supposed to be keeping us safe and enforcing our laws are having a tough time staying focused. It was a hilarious (and scary) sight.

I appreciated the honesty of Ben’s message, his conviction, and could certainly relate to my own challenges of keeping my focus in the midst of a constant world of communication. I too will be trying to commit to Ben’s challenge.

This image of texting while driving got me wondering about what the equivalent is in other areas of our lives. You know, habits that we can cognitively understand are putting us at harm, but we do them anyway. What is stealing our attention and getting in the way of us connecting in authentic ways with our families? What is distracting our attention at work and keeping us from accomplishing our goals? What do we find ourselves spending time and resources on in our schools or churches that isn’t exactly serving the core of our mission?

During the sprint of our daily lives, an intentional Step Back can provide greater perspective and remind us of how we are choosing to move throughout the world. It’s in those moments that our most courageous leadership actions can emerge. It’s in those moments that we are able to move beyond short-term distractions and recommit to what is most important to us.

It’s a daily challenge. I’ll meet you at the baggage claim (or cell phone).

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

LAUNCHED!

2010-09-21T15:58:00.000-04:00

The new “Business Leader Edition” of Step Back from the Baggage Claim has officially been released to the book distribution channels. You can hit the link below or request it at any bookstore. The Foreword is written by Howard Behar, the former President of Starbucks International. This edition frames the Step Back message and spirit for organizations and leaders who are passionate about organizational culture, leadership development, service, innovation and social responsibility. Organizations nationwide are joining the Step Back from the Baggage Claim Movement. Help “Pass It On” to the Leaders in your life!

Learn more HERE

Original version of Step Back from the Baggage Claim

available as an Audiobook at Audible.com

Audible.com, an Amazon Company, is the largest seller of audiobooks in the world. They now carry Step Back from the Baggage Claim as an MP3 download. Got a long flight, car ride, or commute in your future? If so, Step Back and listen! Learn more at http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?

It spreads because good people choose to share it with others. Thank you for spreading the spirit!

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Human Circuitry

2010-08-27T16:40:00.000-04:00

I’m back from Seattle and the Gnomedex Conference! It was 3 days that lived up to the tag line as a “Tech Conference of Inspiration and Influence”. Hundreds of the leading bloggers and tech-savvy enthusiasts from across the country came together to discuss and celebrate ways in which technology can be used to connect the human family. It was an eclectic group made up of employees from places like Google and Microsoft, independent programmers, creatives, activists and artists. Chris Pirillo (Mr. Gnomedex) and his team did a wonderful job.

As one of the keynote speakers, it was an honor to get to share some observations about this web of “Human Circuitry”. In our best efforts to use technology to advance the needs of the world, hopefully we carry these reminders with us along our journey:

“What Is Honored Will Be Cultivated” (Plato) - What we put out into the world changes the world. So, what do we want to honor? What ripples do we want to put out into the world? Imagine the opportunities we all have every day within our networks to spread messages of positivity, gratitude, and kindness.

Ideas Can Spread, but Relationships Flourish - The most powerful ideas and concepts in the world flourish because of our ability to put actions into motion. The most powerful networks are not defined by the number of “followers”, but by the authentic relationships that compel thoughts into actions.

Step Back from the IPhone - We can’t forget every once in awhile to disconnect from our tools and connect with our self and those around us. When we allow ourselves the healthy space and time to ‘Step Back’, we provide rest for our mind, and we become more clear about how we want to move throughout the world. Want to read more about this concept, check out this recent article from the New York Times.

We’ve never had more of an opportunity to communicate with the other side of the globe than we do in today’s world. Let’s inspire and influence with a spirit that connects rather than divides.

I’ll meet you at the baggage claim. Travel Gracefully.

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Reminders For Us All (Not Just Jet Blue)

2010-08-15T09:32:00.001-04:00

In a matter of days, Steven Slater has become a household name. The Jet Blue Flight Attendant now has over 208,000 followers on Facebook, thousands on Twitter, and cult-like responses of support popping up all over You Tube.

This comes only days after he “freaked out” after a rude passenger did not follow his orders about stowing their overhead luggage and then the bag hit him in the head. The tipping point incident caused him to grab the airplane microphone, curse the unruly passenger, claim “he’s outta here”, grab a couple of beers, and jump down the emergency chute of the aircraft. His bold (and humorous) “loose cannon” departure from the scene has elicited a heroic response from people all-around the world who wish they could muster the same bravado to share in their workplaces.

The aftermath of this story has also brought on the all-too-familiar “blame game” that our culture loves. There have been the knee-jerk reactions that Jet Blue as an entire organization must be evil, that Slater must be a psycho-path, or that the rude passenger on the airplane “had it coming to them”. Unfortunately, each of those responses are natural reactions in the heat of the moment. They each, however, are probably not entirely accurate.

They fail to acknowledge the broader picture reality that we all share in the creation of these cultures. There are wonderful airline employees and not so good ones. There are passengers that enter our airports out of a spirit of entitlement and there are ones who exude gratitude. All of us contribute to these environments.

The fact of the matter is that we all need to Step Back. The airlines need to Step Back and continue to think about how to serve “the friendly skies” more efficiently and with the heart of a servant-leader. Passengers need to Step Back and think about how they truly want to move throughout the world with more compassion and grace. It’s in the midst of many small, intentional actions that a new spirit can spread throughout air travel and our world.

So, next time you travel, spread a different spirit. I invite you to let Don Miguel Ruiz’s notion of the “Four Agreements” intersect with your commitment to join the “Step Back from the Baggage Claim” Movement. To put this spirit into motion,

Be Impeccable With Your Words - Be thoughtful about the words you choose to share with those at the ticketing counters, on your flight, or at the baggage claim. Instead of constant complaints, what if we used our words to send out ripples of encouragement, hope and positivity to those around us? Be authentic in speech and action.

Don’t Take Anything Personally - Don’t internalize another person’s negativity. Chances are that the issue they are upset about is not the real issue and the situation is probably out of their control anyway.

Don’t Make Assumptions - We have no idea what emotional baggage people are carrying with them on an everyday basis. We never have the full story. Instead of rushing to judgment and conclusions, give people the benefit of the doubt.

Always Be Your Best - What would it mean for the culture of air travel if we were able to bring our very best to the seemingly insignificant moments along our journey? Just think what viral influence the collective spirit of many can have on our world. Today, travel gracefully in between the destination points.

The Steven Slater story is hilarious. But rather than pointing the finger at who I think is to blame for the culture in the crowded spaces of our world, I’d rather be part of the solution. Join the Movement. And guess what - this spirit will spill over into other areas of our lives as well.

Travel Gracefully.

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Intentional Congruence

2010-08-04T13:55:00.000-04:00

I love the phrase. Intentional Congruence. Nido Quebein, a successful speaker and President of High Point University, is the one who most often gets credited with coining the phrase.

Anyone who has watched a basketball team with tremendous chemistry, listened to singers with beautiful harmony, or witnessed a couple communicate with each other with such love and clarity - has experienced Intentional Congruence.

But what does it mean for our personal lives, careers, and the way we choose to “move throughout the world” on a daily basis? Are we purposeful about the actions we put out into the world? Do all of our efforts tie together and support our ultimate Mission? Does everything we do feed the other important elements of our life?

It’s so easy to rush ahead toward deadlines and tasks, but in our rush, lose focus on the purpose of our efforts. As D.H. Lawrence reminds us, “One’s action ought to come out of an achieved stillness: not to be mere rushing on.”

When we make time as individuals and teams to Step Back, align our actions with our Mission, and communicate our intentions with clarity - we allow space for a congruent spirit to weave throughout our lives. The challenge is...we must intentionally create the space. It’s far easier for the looming deadlines or tasks to steal our attention and wrap us up in “getting things done” rather than investing in emotional clarity and vision.

Today, ask yourself, what it would mean for you to Step Back and enter into a process of Intentional Congruence?

I’ll meet you at the Baggage Claim.

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

reMEMBER

2010-07-13T11:08:00.002-04:00

Member [mem-ber] n. a person, animal, plant, group, etc., that is part of a society, party, community, taxon, or other body.

We are members of many bodies. We are members of families, clubs, organizations, teams, businesses, churches, schools, and not to be forgotten, the entire human family. Membership can be a source of great pride, prestige, joy, and affirmation in our lives. We often expel a great deal of energy in order to become a member of groups.

However, after the journey of being accepted ‘IN’ to said groups, how easy it is over time to become comfortable in our memberships, in our routines, in the status quo of our communities, and slowly lose sight of the compelling purpose of our bodies.

It’s in those moments in time that we need to ‘Step Back’ and reMEMBER. The process of reMEMBERING is two-fold:

1. Remember the history of the past and the Mission of the organizations, communities, and bodies you belong to. Why was this group created in the first place? Why do you exist as an entity? What does it look like to actualize that Mission with excellence in the present day?

2. Re-MEMBER. Take time to think about the level of commitment you bring to your memberships. What would it look like for you to re-MEMBER? How could you recommit your energy, focus, and resources to better align with the Mission of the group? How could your membership be rejuvenated so that you were a part of leading the group forward?

reMEMBERING is a continuous process. The strongest units, organizations, teams, businesses, and families in our world make time to reMEMBER, together. Our small intentional commitments are powerful beyond measure.

reMEMBERING is akin to what author, Jim Collins, refers to as the yin and yang of “Preserving the Core and Stimulating Progress.”

What memberships in our lives are in need of intentional time to reMEMBER? Today, I invite you to join me in creating time to ‘Step Back’ and reMEMBER.

Travel Gracefully.

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

PS. Need help reMEMBERING in your organization? Visit http://www.stepbackfromthebaggageclaim.com/consulting.aspx

Part 2 - Leadership Lessons From Starbucks

2010-06-28T07:15:00.001-04:00

“The stoic leader does not give of them self.”

“There are no stressful situations, only stressful responses.”

“We need to start focusing more on what we’re trying to do

and working together as a team than on blaming others.”

- Howard Behar, former President, Starbucks International

Step Back

Be Available

Embrace Creativity

Take Flight

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Leadership Lessons from Starbucks

2010-06-24T13:21:00.000-04:00

"In the midst of the obstacles, delays and cancellations in business,
the way your people respond to the challenges
will determine your level of success."
- Howard Behar, former President, Starbucks International

Part 2 of this leadership discussion is coming soon. Help spread the spirit!

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

K.I.S.S. Your Staff

2010-06-14T09:21:00.000-04:00

“The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity.” - Bruce Lee

Chances are, we’ve all been told to “Keep It Simple Stupid” at some point in our lives. But, as our knowledge base increases and our leadership spheres widen, the natural tendency (and trap) is to “out think” the situation.

As we think about the cultures we are trying to cultivate within our staff, department, family, organization, or most importantly, our world, we must start small - our own individual actions. What seems simple is often the most difficult for us to actualize. Yet, it is our simple, small, intentional actions that separate good leaders from good managers.

This week, try to K.I.S.S. those along your path with a new spirit.

K - Keep eye contact. It is amazing how empowered another human being can feel when they sense your eyes value them and that moment.

I - Include others. We build too many walls when bridges are needed. Include someone new at lunch, in an important decision, or a discussion that needs another point of view.

S - Slow down. In a fast-food culture and world of instantaneous communication, allow yourself a few minutes to be still and centered. When we don’t, we race recklessly past people on our path.

S - Send positive ripples. Intentionally send messages rooted in appreciation, celebration, and compassion to those around you. A genuine note, email, phone call, or purposeful stop at their office door, can deliver rejuvenating ripples that do spread.

We all share in the creation of today. Our individual actions help create the culture around us.

So, who will you K.I.S.S. along your leadership journey today?

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Reawakening Our Passion

2010-06-04T08:36:00.000-04:00

"One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested."

— E. M. Forster

We all experience times in our personal lives, family routines, and careers when we seem stuck at the status quo and find ourselves going through the motions. Our calendar, Blackberry or IPhone is filled with commitments and the phrase “I just can’t find the time” becomes as common to us as “Can you please pass the milk.”

In the daily grind of making our way from Point A to Point B, it’s easy to lose sight of “why” we’re committing to all the things on our plate and our vision can become blurred by the minutiae. We must find ways to ‘Step Back’ and see with new eyes.

The latest issue of the Harvard Business Review touched on the importance of finding space and committing to “Reawakening Our Passion at Work”. If we don’t ‘make time’ to ‘Step Back’, reflect and refuel, the gifts we have to share with the world get bypassed for the dull and uninspiring process of just completing ‘tasks’.

“The process is rarely easy, but we’ve found this type of awakening to be healthy and necessary; leaders need to go through it every few years to replenish their energy, creativity, and commitment—and to rediscover their passion for work and life. Indeed, leaders cannot keep achieving new goals and inspiring the people around them without understanding their own dreams.” (by Richard Boyatzis, Annie McKee, and Daniel Goleman, HBR 2010)

The truly great organizations and leaders commit time more than every couple of years to ‘Step Back’, reconnect to Mission, spend time in relationship with those on their team, and create open space for new ideas to emerge. It often is not a “specialized consultant” that our organizations need (after all, YOU are the expert in your field), but rather a third-party, creative facilitator that can lead the experiential process for you and your team.

It goes against the grain of our “get things done culture”, but when we do ‘Step Back’, we actually are moving forward. And in the process, our passion is reawakened and our actions become more aligned with our Mission.

So, when is your next Step Back from the Baggage Claim?

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Plant Seeds

2010-05-18T15:48:00.000-04:00

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap,

but by the seeds you plant.”

- Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

My oldest son, Will, is almost six years old and he loves planting seeds. He thought the exercise they did at school where they planted the small seeds in the little cup was very cool. He’s carried that over into planting seeds in our back yard.

I’m not quite sure what age it is when we begin to forget about the seeds and become focused primarily on what is blooming above the surface. But over time, in our fast-food culture and instantaneous world of communication, it’s almost hard to imagine anything taking “that much time.”

So, in the “get things done” spaces in our lives, our longer-term vision gets blurred by the demand for instant results. We often find ourselves racing from place to place, meeting to meeting, deal to deal - seeking instant closure and gratification. We become impatient and look for the quick-fix solutions in our relationships, our careers, and our pursuits. We somehow get tricked into thinking we can bypass the growing process and jump right to the harvest.

However, what if we could ‘Step Back’, slow ourselves down today, and turn our attention from the harvest back to the seeds? What if we could focus intentionally on planting positive seeds in our relationships, our families, and our work? What if we could plant seeds and then shift our attention to nurturing and cultivating those particular seeds?

I’m not nearly the planter Will is, but I can’t help but think that purposeful approach may improve the overall quality of our harvest in the long run. So, what seeds will I choose to plant today along my path? What seeds will you plant along yours?

Travel Gracefully.

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

Ramona

2010-05-04T13:40:00.001-04:00

The way she would stare into your eyes so deeply, yet gently, won’t soon be forgotten. I remember meeting Ramona for the first time in August of 2006 in the tiny rural village of Pueblo Nuevo in the Dominican Republic. I was leading a small group of adults in their twenties and thirties on a servant leadership trip. Our group of 12 was there for 10 days to assist the Village Mountain Mission with their project to build homes for families in need.

Ramona’s piercing eyes and smile were with us all week. You could almost feel her bones rubbing together as you hugged her fragile body. She was tired, but gracious in communicating her gratitude to the group.

An email from the Village Mountain Mission reached my inbox yesterday alerting us that Ramona had passed away. In the message, they shared these words about the village culture:

It is common practice that when a person dies in the campo of the Dominican Republic, people mourn their loss for nine days. The day of the death, the body is brought to the house of the deceased and people gather from all over the country to pay their respects to the family and friends, and in their own way, celebrate the passing of a loved one. At the end of the day, all present will walk the body to the cemetery and bury the deceased that same day. People will continue to arrive at the house of the family for the next nine days at which time an animal is killed and a large meal is shared amongst all of the family, friends, and people of the community.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to participate in that literal walk to honor Ramona and her family. From a distance, I’m celebrating her life (one that I only knew a very tiny portion of her true reality) and feeling blessed that I even had the opportunity to connect with another human being in a different part of our world.

In the same way that she shared simple gestures of gratitude, gentleness, and grace with us, I hope to honor those that I cross paths with today with that same spirit. The look in her eyes will stay with me, but her spirit will spread.

Travel Gracefully,

www.StepBackFromTheBaggageClaim.com

BUSINESS LEADER EDITION

2010-04-22T17:29:00.000-04:00

It has been a fascinating, ambiguous, and wonderful journey over the last two years. From the moment I decided to sleep in airports and share Step Back from the Baggage Claim with the world, I had no idea who would care or how far the spirit would reach. It has been an affirming and exhilarating process to hear about people passing the book around the world, see the story being shared by the global media, and witness first hand how people are putting the spirit into action in their personal lives, faith communities, universities, non-profits, and businesses.

THANK YOU! Chances are (if you’re reading this) that you have been supporting me along the way and helping to share the message with others in your life. That’s the way any true movement spreads - one thoughtful, act at a time.

The Movement is growing...Exciting News!

The “Business Leader Edition” of Step Back from the Baggage Claim is set to be officially released to the book world in September 2010, but Pre-Released copies are available now. CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER or to learn more.

The “Business Leader Edition” is 30 pages longer with additional content and is resonating with anyone interested in Leadership, Culture Change, Service, Creativity, Mission, and Social Responsibility. Howard Behar, the former President of Starbucks International, has written the Foreword and shares his insights on how ‘Step Back’ adds value to business leadership and organizational culture. He’s fantastic!

The spirit has already been resonating with organizations across the country through keynote speeches, workshops, book clubs, professional development, creative visioning sessions, and ongoing leadership consulting - I’m excited to see where it leads next! What organization doesn’t need to revisit Leadership, Mission, Culture, Service, Innovation, and caring for those along their path?

I hope you’ll help spread this spirit by passing the new edition to the leaders in your life...and together we can change our organizational cultures!

I’ll meet you at the baggage claim!

www.stepbackfromthebaggageclaim.com

TO PRE-ORDER CLICK HERE

Put Your Shoes On First

2010-04-15T07:32:00.000-04:00

"Creativity, as has been said, consists largely of rearranging what we know in order to find out what we do not know. Hence, to think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted." - George Kneller

My son Will, three years old at the time, walked up to me one morning while I was getting dressed for a meeting. All forty-two inches of him stood at my side and his giant blue eyes stared up at me. I had my underwear, shirt and socks on, and was beginning to put my pants on when he questioned my mode of operation.

“Daddy, why don’t you put your shoes on first?” he said in his usual inquisitive way.

“Well, I can’t put my shoes on before I put my pants on,” I responded playfully. “You silly, everybody knows that if you put your shoes on first then you won’t be able to get your pants over them. So, that’s why you have to put your pants on first.”

“Just try,” he urged.

I knew this was a father–son moment, a teachable moment. I knew I needed to value his ideas, slow down, and take the time to be present with him. So, I decided to play along and show him. I slid my pants back off, put my shoes on, and then began to attempt to put my pants on. Sure enough, my pants slid right over the top of my shoes easily.

“See, I was right,” he declared with a huge smile.

It was a teachable moment, and I took note. (p.97, Step Back from the Baggage Claim)

How much of our everyday lives are spent living at the status quo, fenced in by our own routines - just doing things the same way we did them yesterday? What percentage of an average day do we squelch new possibilities because we quickly assume we already have the answers?

I wonder what could be discovered in our personal lives and organizations if we allowed ourselves the space to Step Back and “look afresh at what we normally take for granted”. What innovations would emerge because of our willingness to rearrange, explore, dwell in possibility?

Today, how will you “put your shoes on first”? Just try.

www.stepbackfromthebaggageclaim.com

Everyone

2010-03-30T11:01:00.000-04:00

I was in a meeting with a group of about twenty people. The topic of the meeting is irrelevant at this point. Not long into the discussion, one of the participants in the meeting chimed in, "Well, everyone is talking and everyone is not exactly happy with the direction we are going with this."

That one statement sent the meeting into a twenty minute tailspin. Tensions in the group heightened and people quickly began offering solutions to meet the needs of 'everyone'. The focus of the group was diverted, direction was questioned, and fear crept in.

Finally, another person in the group asked gently, "Who specifically have you talked with who has these feelings? Who is 'everyone'?"

The room went silent. Not one name could be given. The statement was being conjured up by fear-based assumptions. No direct confirmation had been given. The group was chasing a figment of their imagination.

Author and Marketing Guru, Seth Godin, shared these words about 'everyone'.

I'm mad at everyone

No, not you. Not anyone in particular, actually.

I'm angry at the idea of 'everyone' and what they want and what they say.

Everyone says you should do your site and your online presence a certain way.

Everyone is upset at what you did.

Everyone is frustrated at the slow pace government is getting this done.

Everyone knows you should listen to your customers and do what they say.

Everyone knows that our school is wasting money.

Everyone says you need to go to a 'good' college.

You get the idea. That everyone.

The one that's almost always wrong.

How often do we stand around the crowded, metaphorical baggage claims in our personal lives and organizations and get diverted by what 'everyone' is saying? How easy it is to get caught up in the madness of the crowd that we forget why we've even gathered in the first place. It's in those moments that the opportunity arises to Step Back and connect back to our core Mission & Vision.

In the midst of what 'everyone' is doing and saying today, how do I want to move throughout the world? How do you want to move?

I'll meet you at the baggage claim.

www.stepbackfromthebaggageclaim.com

A New Found Land

2010-03-18T12:20:00.002-04:00

It's a different story that needs to be shared.

On September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked our country. We know that story all too well. We know the tragic stories of lives lost and the horror that those events caused. Those stories and the smoke coming from those towers will never be forgotten.

But, there's a much lesser known story from that day that shines a different light on those dark skies. Following the explosion into the trade towers, the United States closed American air space for the first time in our history. Thousands of airplanes and passengers that were already in the air were re-routed to land in Canadian air space.

One of the chosen airports was in Gander, Newfoundland - a tiny town of 10,000 people in the north east corner of Canada. In one day's time, over 6000 passengers from many re-routed aircrafts spilled into the small town. Many of the passengers had been on their airplanes for nearly 24 hours - they were confused, tired, hungry, frustrated, and scared by the senseless attack on their country.

But as they took their first steps off of their airplane and onto the ground in Gander, they were met with a spirit of a different kind. When the news in town broke that the United States had been attacked and thousands of passengers would be re-routed to Gander, the people of Gander dropped what they were doing and sprung into action. It's not a wealthy town by any stretch of the imagination, but without hesitation, people responded graciously.

The weary passengers were greeted with rows of food and drinks and volunteers eager to serve. Because of the size of the town, where would these travelers sleep? People from Gander opened their doors and took in these strangers - denying anything in return.

This past monday, I was honored to be one of the two Keynote Speakers at the Forging New Links Conference, a collection of over 400 educators, nonprofit leaders, and social servants across the state of Ohio who are passionate about meeting the needs of the world.

I shared the stage with Shirley Brooks-Jones. Shirley was one of the passengers that day who experienced the compassion, selflessness, and service that the people of Gander provided. She also was the one who was moved so much by their generous spirit that she decided the passengers on those air crafts needed to support the people in Gander in some way. She began collecting money from other passengers on that eventual flight back into the United States three days later, and to date, they have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for college scholarships for the kids of Gander.

My task was to wrap up this beautiful story and connect the dots of how this fits with the "Step Back from the Baggage Claim" movement and the ways in which we all choose to move throughout the world every day.

Simply put, the tired passengers arriving that day experienced a spirit of a different kind. Around the crowded and hectic baggage claim in Newfoundland they experienced a "New Found Land" - a culture rooted in gratitude, compassion, and service to another human being.

As one of Gander's own said as they were asked why they sprung into action so quickly without seeking anything in return, "This is just what we do."

This is just how they choose to move throughout our world. Lets join them.

I'll meet you at the baggage claim.

http://www.stepbackfromthebaggageclaim.com/

Culture Change

2010-03-08T11:08:00.000-05:00

The very unofficial count is 487.

487 people in the last couple of months who have mentioned to me the “Liberty Mutual Commercial” and how beautifully it fits with the Step Back from the Baggage Claim movement. The images of small acts of kindness spreading contagiously in everyday life are terrific illustrations for what it means to travel gracefully throughout the world. I’m a bit slow, but it’s time to share the link!

WATCH THIS QUICK 2 MINUTE CLIP

This past friday, I had the privilege of leading a half-day workshop for faculty and staff at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. The Step Back from the Baggage Claim theme was resonating with them through the lens of organizational culture change. How do the small actions of our everyday lives contribute to the creation of the cultures we’re a part of? It was a terrific group that’s truly interested in positive social change.

We began to ‘unpack’ the baggage claim metaphor and take the first steps on a journey of exploring ‘how they want to move throughout the world’ and ‘what kind of ripples they want to create within the Medical Center’? Creating a ‘Step Back Culture’ begins with thoughtful reflection, but leads to intentional, committed action over time. And, like every example of change in the history of the world, it always begins with one small act.

So, regarding culture change and your organization - as Liberty Mutual asks, “What’s your policy?”

I’ll meet you at the baggage claim.

www.stepbackfromthebaggageclaim.com

Key Leader

2010-02-24T10:41:00.001-05:00

I spent this past weekend in San Antonio as the guest speaker for Kiwanis International’s Facilitator Training for their Key Leader program. Twenty professional facilitators from across North America, the Cayman Islands, and Malaysia, came together to Step Back, reconnect to the mission, and strengthen their leadership skills. It was a group of wonderful people with great passion for making a difference in the world! I enjoyed them very much.

Two of the facilitators in particular, Chong Wan Siong and Chew Ai Li from Malaysia, made quite an impression on me. Their forty hours of travel to be a part of this training weekend communicated their commitment to this program. Their gentle, humble presence was infectious.

Following my second presentation of the weekend, they shared with me a Chinese saying that they had learned in grade school. They were touched by the spirit of Step Back from the Baggage Claim and how it relates to personal leadership in the world. They did their best to translate it from Mandarin Chinese.

When you Step Back,

you will see how wide is the ocean,

how tall is the sky.

Be tolerant -

mind will stop,

waves will calm.

May the waves of our personal leadership journeys be calmed by the ability to Step Back and see the world through new eyes. Today, travel gracefully.