🌟S4:E30AI RECAP 🎙️ Live with Tom Rosenak

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Welcome to the Leadership and Success Podcast with your host, Coach BZ. If you need to develop into a better leader, this podcast is for you. If you want to achieve a greater level of success, this podcast is for you. His mentor, Dr. John C. Maxwell, said it best: everything rises and falls on leadership. We hope to inspire you today and provide you with an insight that has the potential to positively impact the trajectory of your life. Welcome to the Leadership and Success Podcast.

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This is a story about the power of a story. A preacher named Russell Conwell was approached by some of the young members of his community. They couldn't afford college but wanted to learn, so they asked him to teach them. This started Conwell's mission to create a college for deserving young people who might not be able to afford other schools. He went out and raised several million dollars to create Temple University. How did he do it? By telling the following story more than 6,000 times all over the country. It's a true story. It affected him deeply, and it had the same effect on his audiences. Maybe it will affect you too. The story is called Acres of Diamonds. It goes like this: There once was an African farmer who heard tale of another man who made his fortune when he discovered diamonds. The farmer was thrilled. He sold his farm and excited haste set out to search for diamonds of his own.

Stone.

He spent the rest of his life wandering the continent, searching and searching. Then one day, years later, penniless and defeated, feeling like a failure, he drowned himself in a river. One day, many years after the man had sold his farm, the other man who had purchased it from him was crossing a small stream on the property when he noticed a brilliant flash of blue and red light glinting on the bottom of the stream. He bent down, picked up the stone, admired it in the sunlight, and decided to bring it home to adorn his mantle. A few weeks later, a friend visited the farmer. He noticed the stone on the mantle and nearly fainted. "Do you know what you have here?" inquired his friend. "No," said the farmer. "I thought it was a pretty crystal." It was one of the largest diamonds ever discovered. And so the original farmer had given up everything for diamonds. When he had acres of them beneath his feet all along. He simply needed to recognize diamonds in the rough, the acres of diamonds he already had, in order to make his wildest dreams come true. That story did for Dr. Conwell what it teaches all of us. It empowered him to mine the diamonds in himself, to discover his new capacity to create a new place, one that would mine the diamonds of students for years and years to come. All by sharing the story with different audiences and passing on the gift of this simple idea. Each of us right now stands in our own Acres of Diamonds. Welcome to Where Diamonds Meet.

And many times it can happen asynchronously which is where I could take a slice from this podcast and put it out to our network and, and ask people to engage with it. So to be connected to these ideas in your own special way, and if you get moved by the spirit, connect with me.

So that is, that is wonderful. And again, everyone, I highly recommend that you follow Tom. So LinkedIn, Tom- Rosenak, very easy to remember. Okay, now we are coming at the very, very end. Thank you so much for giving us an extra 10 minutes. I really do appreciate that. What is the most rewarding aspect of your life experience so far?

Parenting.

Yes. Okay, this one really, really quick.

We've grown children and now we have grandchildren. So that's the most rewarding.

Yeah, I guess I'm going to be going into the stage of grandchildren pretty, pretty soon. My oldest one just earned her bachelor's last year. And she has a boyfriend now, and hopefully things are going to go in the right direction, but we will see. But yeah, I can't believe I am— I mean, time is of the essence, I guess. Time really flies by really, really quickly. It does.

I guess when you're growing up like your daughter, it's like you couldn't believe it. I felt like I was going to be carting around diapers forever, you know, those 3 or whatever it was. And now it's like, boop.

This place, it is amazing. It is amazing. So, uh, very, very quickly, don't take too much time to think. 3 adjectives that describes you as a child: rebellious, energetic, and scattered. Okay, as an adult?

As an adult: hopeful, optimistic, and willing.

Wow, quite different. Okay, and now at the very, very end, the last thing I'm going to ask is, what is one word that represents our shared experience today on this podcast? Which word comes to mind?

Joyful.

Thank you.

Mine would be momentum. So thanks again, Tom. Do you have any last word before we—

No, I appreciate your investing time and space for this conversation. This is the question I ask managers that consistently gets us to what we're really working on. In business, in life, no matter how successful you are, how bright you are, how talented you are, you will have upsets. But it's the recurring upsets that are gold for personal transformation. Because it's recurring. In my case, it was not completing classes. If it keeps recurring, then you can say, what can I change? Yes, what's within my control? And you can start living the Serenity Prayer. So the negative thinking is admitting, because positive thinking devolves into pretend. And, and I loved Zig Ziglar, but I learned that it wasn't effective. So you just smile and you say everything's positive. Well, that's If you look in the mirror and you read Think and Grow Rich and you look in the mirror and say, I'm abundant, I'm abundant, and the mirror looks back and says, no, you're not, you're dead broke, then you have an argument. And the teacher told me to write 100 times, I will not disrupt class. I will not disrupt class wasn't very effective. So, so we look at negative patterns from the lens of appreciative inquiry, which I put one of the books, uh, that I recommend that changed my life forever for the better was Jackie and Sherry, Conversations Worth Having. And they talk about generative questions and positive framing. So it isn't positive thinking, it's positive framing. And both of those—

Welcome everyone to this engaging deep dive into leadership. Yep, we're talking about unlocking your inner resources, kind of like finding acres of diamonds right where you are.

Absolutely. It's about recognizing that what we need is already within our grasp, right?

Exactly. Take, for example, the timeless Acres of Diamonds story. It's basically a reminder that success and fulfillment frequently lie hidden amidst our current experiences, like diamonds in the rough. It's a call to start with what you have rather than constantly chasing the next big opportunity.

Yeah, and it reminds me of that idea of think big, start small. I love how that principle teaches us to build momentum through consistent small efforts rather than relying on sporadic bursts of intensity that eventually fizzle out.

Right. Consistency is the cornerstone. It's like, um, You know, rather than trying to run a marathon in one leap, you keep putting one foot in front of the other every day. And that's what really builds sustainable growth, especially if you're leading in high-pressure military or tech environments.

That makes a lot of sense. But, um, how does this connect with the idea of alignment in leadership?

Great question. Alignment is about, um, ensuring your inner intentions match your outward actions. Tom Rosenach said something to the effect that information without formation does not lead to transformation, meaning it's not enough to just know leadership ideas. One has to build character, self-awareness, and practice those principles daily.

I see. So it's like the difference between simply absorbing knowledge and truly integrating it into your behavior and decisions.

Precisely. And that touches on another important point. Leadership is a practice, not just a theory. You know, it's like practicing with a musical instrument until it feels natural, rather than just reading about scales on a page. That's where disciplined daily habits come in.

Speaking of daily habits, I really like the example Tom gave about the camel philosophy, which, if I recall, was about a camel that that starts and ends its day on its knees and can go 24 hours without a drink. Can you unpack that a bit more?

Sure. That analogy is so vivid. It essentially illustrates that even in the most humbling situations, there is strength in consistency.

Yeah.

It highlights that profound change happens not in dramatic one-off leaps, but in, um, everyday deliberate actions.

Yeah, it really reframes change as a process rather than a dramatic event. But I wonder, some might argue that big, intense bursts can sometimes break through inertia. Do you think there's room for intensity, or is it really all about consistency?

I appreciate that challenge. Intensity does have its place, but it's like, um, think of it as ignition, a spark to get you started. However, without steady fuel, that spark quickly dies out. Consistency ensures that you keep moving forward even when the immediate adrenaline subsides.

Mm, that's a fair point. It seems like both elements are needed, but consistency should be the backbone, almost like a foundation to support the explosive moments.

Exactly, and that leads us to another pivotal idea: influence without authority. It's a lesson that leadership doesn't necessarily require a title. You can lead from wherever you are by aligning your actions with your values and inspiring others by example.

Right. It's the idea of leading by going before the pack, not waiting to be handed a title. It reminds me that your actions and consistency are like far more influential than any formal rank.

Yes. That's it. Your ability to influence comes from the quality of your actions and your integrity. Tom emphasized that authentic leadership means inspiring cooperation, not using coercion. It's about building trust through consistent behavior.

And that builds up into what we could call self-awareness and emotional intelligence, right? Knowing your strengths, your limitations, And understanding your impact on others is key to this entire concept.

Absolutely. Self-awareness is the root of all effective leadership. It's like, um, if you're unaware of how your emotions affect your decisions, you can easily derail even the best-laid plans. Regular reflection and mindfulness ensure you stay in tune with your inner values and align your actions accordingly.

It's fascinating how Tom blended traditional leadership values with modern elements like the need for continuous improvement, a concept known as kaizen in Japanese. Can you tell me more about that?

For sure. Kaizen, or continuous incremental improvement, is a reminder that even tiny daily efforts lead to monumental changes over time. Instead of overwhelming yourself trying to transform overnight, you focus on small wins that compound into lasting impact.

That's really practical. Sometimes the idea of changing everything at once can be paralyzing. Incremental steps sound like the most realistic way to grow, both personally and professionally.

Exactly. And it's that steady incremental progress that leads to what Tom describes as writing your own story. Each small, consistent action, each, um, diamond mined from within, is a part of that larger narrative of growth and success.

Mm. Speaking of narratives, Tom also spoke about the importance of reflecting on your personal journey and values, like faith, hope, and love. How do you think these universal principles play into effective leadership?

They're absolutely foundational. Faith gives you the courage to pursue big dreams, hope fuels the perseverance to tackle failures, and love drives you to care for and lift others up. These values create a resilient and authentic leader whose influence endures even amid rapid technological and societal changes.

And that authenticity is crucial, especially when you're leading in fields as dynamic as military and tech sectors.

Precisely. Authentic leadership transcends trends. It's about, um, consistently practicing what you preach. Think about it—if you weave self-awareness, consistency, and values together, you're not just managing tasks; you're inspiring a culture of excellence. Yep.

One thing that really struck me was the coaching prompts embedded throughout these lessons. They really force you to reflect. What internal resources have you overlooked? How can you leverage your existing skills? I find those prompts quite transformative.

Definitely. It's one thing to hear these ideas and quite another to, uh, actively engage with them. Reflective questions like these, asking what you can do today with what you've got, help leaders break out of complacency and seize the moment.

That's so true. There's also that practical side about managing our limited time. 168 hours a week and focusing on what really matters. It's about prioritizing energy management and conflict management.

Absolutely. It's not about time management per se, but rather focus management. When you can reallocate your energy towards your core values and essential tasks, you unlock that inner reservoir of potential, your personal diamond mine, if you will.

Right. And this idea ties back to leadership being, um, a practice that you nurture every day, whether through small consistent steps or through mindful reflection.

Exactly. And it's encouraging to note that these timeless principles, from the acres of diamonds to the virtue of humility and the call for continuous improvement, remain relevant no matter how much the world of technology or military strategy evolves. They're universal truths. I totally agree.

It's refreshing that amidst all the rapid change and advanced AI topics today, the core of effective leadership still rests on these human values and practices. Right.

And perhaps the biggest takeaway is that your journey of self-improvement, leadership, and unlocking your inner potential isn't about imitating someone else. It's about writing your own narrative, step by step.

Yeah, I love that perspective. It's, um, both empowering and humbling to realize that no matter where we come from, the diamonds, our resources, our potential, are already there waiting to be polished.

Precisely. And while it might seem daunting at times, remember what Tom said, "Your greatest story hasn't been told yet." Each small action contributes to a bigger, transformative journey.

Before we wrap up, I'd just like to challenge one point. Sometimes people might say that simply starting small could make one complacent. What would you say to those who argue that small steps might trap you in incrementalism instead of aiming for big, bold moves?

I get that concern, but I'll respectfully argue that small steps are the only sustainable foundation for bold moves. Without those consistent tiny improvements, the bold moves often lack durability. Exactly. Bold moves are built on the stability that small practiced actions provide.

That perspective truly invigorates the idea that leadership in all its facets is a journey rather than a destination.

Summing it up, it's about harnessing your inner resources, maintaining consistency, aligning values with actions, and practicing every day with humility and courage. And remember, your inner diamond awaits discovery.

Yes, indeed. Thanks for this enriching conversation. It's been a pleasure unpacking these timeless leadership lessons that blend tradition with modern practicality. Absolutely.

Thanks for joining in. And to all our listeners out there, dig deep, start small, and keep polishing your unique diamond. Until next time, Keep leading with heart and purpose.

And both of those are opposite end of the same paralyzing dynamic. I can't, I have to, I want to, but I don't want to. And so what we're saying is identify it and express it in the smallest way possible and trust that it will impact the world. Wow. At least this section, your Acres of Diamonds. Yes. And someone else might not know about it. You might not be famous like John Maxwell. But if you can lead one person to a better life, that's a good mission because that one person wandering in circles till they met you.

That is powerful. So along those lines then, if you had one and only one day to live, what would you have liked your final contribution to be?

I would like to, uh, echo Paul, which is to say, I've run the good race, and it includes all of the junk, but it transcends it. And, um, you know, just to say, thy will be done. Wow, that is powerful.

That is powerful. I think as a nation, we need to spend more time reflecting instead of just reacting all the time. One thing I started doing after maybe the end of this year is to stop listening to the news because it kept driving me crazy. Every day there was something happening that was just bonkers. But it's like we get so distracted I guess, charged.

And, uh, uh, it brings you back to the Serenity Prayer, doesn't it? Yes, yes. You're listening to the news and you can't do anything about most of it, and it numbs you to what you can do. Here's a recommendation I have, and I'm going to admit a failure, but if enough people are willing to do it— in Lent, I tried to do a digital fast. And what that was is it didn't mean don't check email or don't use any electronics, but it meant YouTube videos, even inspiring ones, and less connecting electronically and more quiet time. And I'm telling you, I was restless. Wow. It's, uh, really, really restless.

That is, that is quite, uh, powerful, having time to reflect and focus on your mission, your purpose. Okay, we are almost toward the end.

Uh, the 7 segment was And then it became positive. I would have better relationships, and I've now been married 40-something years. And I remember I had a sponsor. I'll never forget this. And it was before I knew about Momentum Process, but it was the Momentum Process. And that was, I was at Marquette University. I wanted to change the world. I wanted all these things, but I couldn't even get to class. You know, I was hungover. And when I decided to get sober, I wanted this great big plan. And I remember now what he said to me, and I laughed because I call him a crusty old Irishman, but he's probably— he was probably 40. And you know, when you're 20, they seem old when they're 40, significantly less than me. But here's the example. He said, can you get to a meeting today? And that didn't seem big. For me. Then he said, can you do 90 meetings in 90 days? And that seemed too big for me. He said, don't worry about meetings, worry about today, then worry about the next day meeting. And then I learned the definition you said earlier about how simple these things are. Here's a simple one for you. He said, adopt the camel philosophy. I said, what the F is the camel philosophy? And back then I used that kind of language. I don't anymore. What the F is that? And he said, a camel begins and ends each day on his knees and can go 24 hours without a drink. Wow. And that was all the philosophy I needed. And then when I started thinking, well, what kind of job do I have? What— but I had the cloud of alcohol off me just for a day, and then it became 40-plus years. So before I knew about keeping momentum I learned about momentum. We process it. And processing is holding love, which is what we want, conscious, active, and present when anything else surfaces. And it's going to surface regularly.

Wow. That is quite powerful. Again, simple but powerful, especially when you put it into action. Could literally be life-changing. Wow. So you mentioned the Serenity Prayer, right? Which I believe is, God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to do the difference.

Wow.

And so how do we make it practical in our momentum is always start with self-awareness, because we think things are out of our control that aren't. Wisdom is important so that what wisdom means is learning to discern the difference. And then courage is having— it's not the absence of fear, it is having the heart to face the fear and do what I can do. So this is— I'm looking at my tile, not yours. My first inclination, even after teaching this all these years, is to make a list of all the things I can't Thank you for listening to the Leadership and Success Podcast with your host, Coach Beezy.

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