Yesterday we started a new tradition at the Scott house. I’ll tell you what it is in a moment. Let me start with a bit about why…
Last year, kinda on a spur of the moment, I asked Gma to give the Thanksgiving prayer. She didn’t simply say the prayer, she gave an oration as Miss would later contend. You see, Gma Marie didn’t focus her prayer on what to say. Gma focused on why she wanted to pray. Gma is a believer – that’s her why. She believes in the power of prayer, therefore, when she prays it is powerful. Leaders are believers, remember. You and I connect to those who have a crystal clear why. It’s not about what they say, what they do, what they pray, or what they don’t. Sure, what matters. What Gma said were some good words for sure. Why they pierced those that listened, however, was because of the deep why behind her words. Gma knows her why. Good.
So, this year I gave Gma a heads up and told her she was going to be on again for the pre-meal prayer. I reminded her of how impactful her words were last year and told her she might want to do some prep since she had set the bar so high. I was attempting to give Gma a heads up, instead what I got was a bit of the Heisman. Yup, she gave me the Heisman. Gma Marie looked me in the eyes and delivered some ccd magic – “I don’t need anytime to prepare.” So, yesterday when I asked Gma to stand and deliver, we held hands and bowed heads. Gma’s words were beyond belief. Actually her words were nothing but belief. Katie gave her a “standing o.” Natalie shared a tear. All that listened and let her words in were seared beyond belief. Actually we were seared by belief. It wasn’t what Gma said that mattered, it was why she said what she said that touched our hearts. Remember this whenever you think about what you’re doing and how you’re going about doing it. He who has a why can deal with any how, some dead German and dead Jew made famous. You will perform famously in whatever is your world if you focus on your why before you get busy with what and how. Leaders are believers. Belief is all about depth of why.
As I enjoyed a couple pieces of Missi’s pie, last night, it all kinda made sense to me. Her pie is the best I’ve ever tasted. Many family and friends have tried to replicate her recipe. Kinda like those special dishes, special moments, special places, special performances, and special relationships it’s not simply about following the recipe. It’s about why then what. As I finished Missi’s pie and reflected on Marie’s prayer, clarity came so clearly I could taste it. Miss has a deep why behind her pie. Her pie, made special for her peeps, reflects her labor of love – Marie’s prayer does too. No wonder they both sear me. Today, invest some more time in gaining clarity behind your why. When it’s your moment to stand, you won’t have to look up a recipe or think before you deliver a good word. Yes, that’s why. Funny, huh…
BUILT TO LEAD 