What is your journey of impact?

Most likely, the impact you most desire was born some distance back in your experience. My storytelling friend, Kim Weitkamp, calls this your ignition point: A moment in time when passion kicked-in to a degree of burning impression.

Participating in a workshop of Kim’s, she took me back to that time; sitting in the courtyard of my high school. I saw the young persons who sought me out to talk. They were starving for encouragement at the heart of who they were.

The flow of your awareness−your passion−is a loving, inclusive force. It flows from your core, surrounds you, and draws in life.

My friendship with Paul has been enlightening for my work with leaders in corporate environments. While Paul works on physical environments, he teaches me about empowerment in the emotional and spiritual realm of our spaces. Freedom is essential!

For Paul, honesty and trust must always be present for the most positive environment. This is the flow of Paul’s voice. A handshake is his name in cement.

Respecting her brave fight, I will call Paul’s client Karen. She is battling the disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Paul is not merely a construction expert, he partners in the care of the client. During Karen’s Smart Design project, he would take along material samples so she could actually feel the differences while he explained the details. This allowed Karen a level of engagement, expectation, and inclusion.

Paul told me that providing functional space for an individual like Karen is as empowering for him as it is for the client. These experiences are fulfilling his own purpose as the physical spaces he designs give freedom to the individuals who occupy them.

A few years ago, as Paul and I were looking forward in this value of fulfillment, he said, “My story is being written as I focus on the right pieces and build the dream.” And oh, in his intelligent, witty manner he added, “Knowing that I occasionally have to pull down my pants and slide on the ice.”

Paul Walton is a natural teacher because of the love he has for his clients. He applies his creative abilities and focuses passion in serving through his simple representation of Smart Design.

Paul and Moose
positive-environments.com

As Eric looked back on his life, both personally and professionally, he began to realize how much his sense of being depended on, and revolved around, service and excellence in service. As a personal example, he told of how he remodeled the family’s main bathroom, meticulously doing all the work himself. When it was completed, he simply couldn’t wait for his wife and two teenage daughters to each take their first shower in the space he designed just for them. Professionally, in the job before his current role, he became competitive; meaning that being more conscious of impact made his talents and strengths more visible to those he served.

When in the transition to his current company and his present officer role, Eric felt lost. Finally it occurred to him why he felt that way. He was accustomed to knowing his work well and being precise in modeling service in the work. In the milieu of feeling lost, he was paralyzed by what he didn’t know−becoming afraid of saying, “I don’t know.” Looking back once again, he sees it as a lack of understanding, both of himself and of the larger story of the organization.

Referring to a time before being conscious and focused on his personal brand, Eric said, “I struggled with what it meant to better serve others by serving myself.” His confidence is now at a level where he is comfortable saying, I don’t know. Comfort and confidence have come with acceptance; of who he is, what he does, and his impact.

Eric Egan is an Innovation Officer using the power of teaching to lead others to their full contribution. His personal brand is to Empower Others to Confidently Serve and Self-serve.

The gift of intuitive instinct guides focus,
each path individually unique.

You move along a purposeful path,
blessings of experience strengthen resolve.

Resonate voice scripts the scenes of life,
a courageous yes to what is true.

Enlightened in trust you have learned,
love flows through a serving purpose.

−J. Brunson

Leadership Poem 7 – From Keith’s Story and the experience of honoring uniqueness

It began in unaware impact;
the way you connected me to reality
and waved a wand of alignment.

In the light of personal vision,
each is a special expert.
Rebranded for balance and purpose,
you gave individual validation and holistic profit.

Now aware and authentically conscious;
in the macro, you lead me;
in the micro, you hear me.

I now know my own impact;
I gift others with powerful reality
and share magical joy in alignment.

−J. Brunson

Leadership Poem 6 – From Tammy’s Story and my own joyful experience with expertise

No excuse are distractions of a day,
a voice silenced in the fray.

Refocused and ready I now stand,
authentically offering the serving hand.

An assertion made;
Important you are and free I remain.
A promise kept;
To serve you and the collective terrain.

−J. Brunson

Leadership Poem 5 – From Jim’s Story and the accountability of my own voice

In the safety of friendship,
in the simplest form of love,
I like all of you I know.

In your presence I delight,
an engaging sequence of creation.
With distinctiveness in full right,
we share authentic liberation.

−J. Brunson

Leadership Poem 4 – From Judie’s Story and the privilege of my own relational experience

Trusting what is best for one is best for all,
from failure you refuse to protect.
Your courage fortifies accountability to stand tall;
I now succeed in what I select.

Energized by learning, and driven by a need to share,
you helped me clearly see what is good indeed.
Now I offer in the whole this extension of care,
and lead others to listen inside for what they need.

−J. Brunson

Leadership Poem 3 – From Doug’s Story and my own experience of a good leader

What others fear losing, you claim for energy.
Energy funds passion;
It is the source of art in your work.

What others desperately desire, you gladly share.
Love is energy;
It is an advocate for their confident passion.

−J. Brunson

Leadership Poem 2 – From Ken’s Story and the influence of my loving friend, Kathryn Tucker Windham

Soul asks, “Do you know what you can do?”
and reminds me of a casual style avowed.

A loving voice not my own exhorts, “Trust yourself”
melting the icy texture of fear into knowledge matured.

With casual trust I float in creative flow
exiting a bubble of limitation with confidence assured.

−J. Brunson

Leadership Poem 1 – From Ed’s Story & loving encouragement from my best friend Becky