On August 26, 2002 I left the business community to serve pastors and church leaders full-time at INJOY Stewardship Solutions. At age 36, this was my first reinvention.
- Several years in, I reinvented again as a primary inside sales producer for the company.
- In 2010, I began a reinvention as a thought-leader by launching my online presence and being a content provider.
- In 2012, I reinvented again as I began to also coach pastors and church leaders in the areas of volunteer development and preaching.
- In 2013, I added author to my resume with the release of my first book The 2-Minute Leader.
- In 2014, I became an executive with INJOY Stewardship.
- In 2018, I started doing public speaking and training on the subject of leadership.
- In 2019, I am beginning to sense a desire to coach pastors and church leaders.
This is eight reinventions, all layered one on top of the other. For me to impact as many leaders as possible, this was a necessity to remain relevant and helpful.
One of my favorite examples of someone reinventing themselves and remaining relevant is Sylvester Stallone and the Rocky movie franchise. Let’s look at how Stallone has continually reinvented the beloved Rocky Balboa character and remained relevant for 43 (yes, 43) years and counting.
- Establishing Your Career – In the first Rocky film, Stallone was establishing the character and himself as an actor, writer and producer.
- Becoming A Leader – In the second film, Balboa’s influence increased. He became a husband, father and champion.
- Becoming A Leader Who Makes Other Leaders – In the third film, Balboa lost a lot of weight and got in much better shape. But more importantly, he also made Hulk Hogan and Mr. T household names. In the first film, Stallone was establishing himself. By the third film, he was using the Rocky platform to make other people stars.
- Becoming A Leader Focused On Significance Rather Than Success – In the fourth installment, Balboa’s best friend Apollo Creed died while fighting Ivan Drago. Balboa would then undergo his most difficult training yet to take on Drago himself. Of course, by movies end, he brought the Russians and Americans together during the Cold War. “If I can change… and you can change… we all can change.”
- Becoming A Leader At Home – In the fifth installment, Balboa struggled with investing in a young boxer played by Tommy Morrison, rather than his own son. It has been my experience that many leaders reach a stage in life where what is most important is those who know them best, love and respect them the most. This should be the first reinvention but it usually comes after much professional success and failure.
- You Can Now Become A Leader Who Leaves A Legacy – The film Rocky Balboa is my favorite in the franchise and grossly underrated. In this movie, Balboa was now a widow. He fought one last exhibition fight and left on his own terms to a standing ovation and the praise of many. May we all be so lucky.
- Becoming A Leader Who Develops Next Generation Leaders – Stallone relaunched the franchise with the spectacular Creed. In this movie, Balboa began to reluctantly train Creed’s son Adonis Johnson. For my money, Stallone should have easily won Best Supporting Actor.
- Becoming A Leader Who Not Only Develops Next Generation Leaders But Then Hands Influence Off To Them – Balboa’s last words in Creed 2 was when he looked at Johnson in the ring and said, “It’s your time.” This was the ceremonial passing of the torch.
This is just eight of the reinventions I see in the Rocky films which all leaders can learn from.
My book Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices Of Apex Leaders is available for purchase. If you have ever wanted to become the leader God created you to be, this book is for you! By combining leadership lessons from biblical heroes like Jesus, Daniel and Joseph, along with modern day leaders like Bill Gates, Nick Saban, Kobe Bryant and multiple pastors, Timeless will equip and inspire you. This book is not to be read alone. Discussion questions are included in each chapter allowing you to develop those in your circle of influence. Click HERE or on the image provided and order your copies TODAY.