Choosing a Role Model

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One thing I always advocate when it comes to being a great leader, is the idea that you want to be inspired by your own role model. When we are in the trenches committed to unleashing the winners around us, we can sometimes get overwhelmed with the status quo. We need those people who are able to pull us up and inspire us with the courage to make a difference.

I'd like to take a moment to mention one of my early role models, Norma LelaCheur. I was twelve years old when I first met this woman, in my hometown, of Spokane, Washington. We came to visit the little church that she and her husband pastored, and she got up to speak. Before she spoke however, she saw, me. I mean she saw me. I wasn't invisible to her. She made me feel special. And then she took the pulpit.

She spoke unlike anyone I had ever heard. She was captivating in a totally transparent way. Her humor was self-deprecating, and she showed that she had nothing to prove. As she laughed at some of her weaknesses, I thought, "Oh my goodness, she is like me!" And in that moment, I knew that one day, I wanted to speak and touch lives too. I wanted to be like her. I wanted to be powerful, godly, encouraging.

For the next decade, I continued to grow under her influence. I became a motivational speaker, and a minister, and then married and moved to Europe. I like to think that I continued to touch lives. She and her husband were very influential, not just in my life, but in thousands of lives all over the country.

When I was in my late thirties, Paul and I moved back to Spokane for awhile, to raise the kids around family. During that time, Norma got sick. The doctor said that she had an "enlarged heart." Those of us who knew her replied, "Well, duh!"

We didn't dream it would kill her, but on May 17, 2004, Norma went "home." She was seventy-three.

The church (which was quite large by now, and pastored by one of her sons) was packed, with people from all over the country. The amazing thing was that while Norma's body lay in the casket, her image and voice rang out from a giant video screen. Her message had been recorded just a few weeks previous. She spoke as passionately as ever, pleading with "everyone within the sound of my voice," to know that they could choose life. She spoke of a "Heaven to gain, and a Hell to shun," and she reminded us that "this life on earth is the short life."

With tears rolling down my cheeks, I thought about the last 25 years. I thought of all the wonderful young people that I had been privileged to work with over the years. I thought of the ones who told me, "I want to be like you!" As I looked at the woman on the screen, I thought, "Wow. This is the power of influence. Thank you Norma, for impacting my life, so that through me, you could bless even more. Thank you for teaching me to laugh at our weaknesses, to enjoy life, and to love God and people. Thank you for putting in me a passion for the Word."

Now, I want to ask you, my friend. Do you have someone who has touched your life? Who has inspired you to be all you can be, to unleash your greatness? If you haven't found someone yet, I encourage you to keep looking. Find someone who resonates with you.

You can be mentored by someone even from a distance by reading their materials, and soaking up their life. I have had many mentors like that.

Ultimately, you will be the leader that someone else names as their role model. That my friend, is a beautiful thing.

As we embark on a wonderful new year, I will still be here, in your corner. I believe it is a year for your business, your health, your relationships, to soar to new levels of success.

Until next time,

Keep playing hard, and enjoy your game!

Gina