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To Listen or Not To Listen?

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It’s a matter of perspective

APIVEO Colored LensesWe teach our kids to not listen to what others say about them yet nearly everything they do is graded or evaluated by someone. “If it’s not important then why is it important?” is an interesting paradox. Some of this confusion is eliminated when “you consider the source.” In other words, knowing if the person that made a statement is or is not qualified to make that statement. While this is often true it still doesn’t give a steadfast rule on who and what we should or should not listen too. Ironically, some of the most unlikely people will share some of the most profound insights at the most unexpected time.

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The Tip of the Spear : : a message of Thanksgiving from Brad Jubin, APIVEO

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A few weeks ago I watched a story on TV about the man who killed Osama Bin Laden. The man who pulled the trigger is a Navy Seal and he is as humble as he is brave. His story was riveting, but there was one comment he made that really resonated with me; in fact, I still haven’t stopped thinking about it. He said that he and his team were the “tip of the spear.”

The “tip of the spear,” it’s not an uncommon phrase; especially in the military; but it is such a powerful statement. When you think of a spear, the tip is the leading edge. The tip is the business end; the point of entry; the focus. It’s safe to say that leadership is the “tip of the spear” in nearly all aspects of our lives.

As many of you know, my family and I, along with a few of our friends, founded and run an organization called APIVEO. Through APIVEO, we encourage and equip youth coaches to teach kids about leadership. In addition, each month we celebrate a child that has demonstrated leadership in their home, church, team or community.

APIVEO FamilyEach time we honor one of these amazing kids I get to stand up and share their leadership story with hundreds, and sometimes thousands of people. When it comes to APIVEO; I am the tip of the spear. I am the face and voice of APIVEO. Leaders are the tip of the spear in their organizations, teams and groups. The kids we celebrate through APIVEO are the “tip of the spear.” Our Pastors are the tip of the spear in our churches; our coaches are the tip of the spear in our youth sports.

God gifted me to lead and I am thankful for that. He called me to APIVEO, and I am thankful for that. However, what I am truly thankful for this year is not my capacity or opportunity in leadership; it’s not “being” the tip of the spear…I am thankful for the spear. You see, without the spear the tip would be…well…POINTLESS! My bride Kristy and our kids Madison, and Christian are my spear. I may get to stand out in front and do most of the talking, but without them I would have nothing to say. The tip might be the business end but without the strength, momentum and power of the spear, the tip is virtually irrelevant. Think about it; a spear is not pulled through the air to its target by the tip. No…it’s the spear that carries the tip to impact. It is Kristy, Madison and Christian that carry me and I am grateful.

Most of us will never go into battle with the Navy Seals. But all of us are leaders in one way or another. This Thanksgiving I encourage you to take a minute and think about the spear in your life. Think about the people that look to you for guidance, advice, and leadership…and look back at them with gratitude for trusting you to stand at the tip of the spear.

Happy Thanksgiving friends.

Sarah Foy : : APIVEO Player of the Month : : October 2014

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Congratulations Sarah and thank you for Always Playing IV Each Other!

Watch Sarah’s inspiring story of leadership on CBS Atlanta with special guest presenter, Mary Plant.

Sarah Foy October 2014

Excerpt from the APIVEO Player of the Month award ceremony;

Today we celebrate Sarah Foy because she Always Plays IV Each Other. There is no doubt that Sarah puts others first; but it’s important to know that she doesn’t do it by putting herself second. Sarah doesn’t simply get out of the way so someone else ends up in front of her. She knows that won’t actually help anyone. Instead, she rolls up her sleeves and cares for people; she lifts them up and puts them in places they can’t always go on their own.

Sarah is a gifted athlete. While I never saw her swim, I have seen a couple of inspiring pictures of her in the pool. I have no doubt that Sarah has a lot of awards and victories. But that’s not why she’s standing up here today. At the ripe old age of 10, Sarah is already true leader. Sarah knows the secret of leadership; LOVE! I have a friend that actually wrote a bestselling leadership book titled “Love Works.” Love always works! Sarah loves her sister, Hannah, and that love has led Sarah to become a volunteer with the Special Olympics. As a volunteer, Sarah leads kids to smile and have fun because she cares about them; because she loves them. The simple and pure love between sisters has overflowed into one of the greatest examples of leadership I have ever seen. My friend might have written the book “Love Works’ but Sarah, at 10 years old you are living it! You are a great leader! -Brad Jubin, APIVEO

Thank you Mary Plant, Zaxby’s, CBS Atlanta, Larry Smith and YMCA at Buckhead for your enthusiasm and support. You have made a wonderful girl feel appreciated and loved. That’s what is means to Always Play IV Each Other!

Leadership is NOT a Team Sport

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Leadership is an individual responsibility. Leadership is NOT a team sport. Each of us is called to lead in a specific and special way. That’s not to say a group of leaders cannot work together. To the contrary, leaders must cooperate. Leaders working in concert toward a common goal is extremely effective as long as each leader is personally responsibility for a specific area or function. In other words, they function as a team of leaders. There is a profound difference between a “leadership team” and a “team of leaders.”
A leadership team (a.k.a. leadership by committee) can lead to confusion, contempt and even worse, compromise. I know it’s not politically correct to call compromise bad, but all too often, sound and decisive leadership decisions are watered down for the sake of compromise. Many “win-win” situations turn into to “lose-lose” outcomes because of this.

A great leader will solicit input and feedback. A great leader will consider as many points a view as possible before making a decision. However, when it’s time to chart a course, cast vision or call a play he or she will make a decision and execute.

For example, think about the last time you purchased a car or some other expensive item. You most likely did research online as well as visited dealerships or stores. You asked friends and colleagues. You spoke with people that already owned the brand or item you were considering. After all of that work, you made the decision. I doubt you went back to everyone you spoke with and asked them to vote to try to form a consensus as a basis for your purchase.

In today’s “leadership team” environment we have lost a great deal of accountability. Decisions can become so diluted by team involvement that no one knows who made the decision. “Including everyone’s opinion” has become the goal instead of an individual making a sound decision and being held accountable for the outcome.

It’s essential that leaders remain focused on the things they do best and stay in their lane. Imagine a 4×100 meter relay race between a “leadership team” and a “team of leaders.” Each leg of a relay race requires a certain type of athlete. Because of this, the “team of leaders” will assign each leg of the race to the leader that is best suited or equipped for that leg. On the other hand, the “leadership team” has a much broader view of the race and the level of participation. The “leadership team” seeks to involve everyone in every leg for maximum involvement. When the race begins both teams will move the baton around the track, however, the “team of leaders” will move as individuals in succession allowing for the greatest speed and efficiency. The “leadership team” will run the race side by side and hand the baton to each other in stride. The outcome of this race is obvious.

I have never read a single definition of leadership that describes more than one person. A leader is simply a person of influence that is influential in the area where he or she has demonstrated competence and achievement. Leadership is exclusively an individual responsibility.

Drew Smith : : APIVEO Player of the Month : : August 2014

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Congratulations Drew and thank you for Always Playing IV Each Other!

Watch Drew’s inspiring story of leadership on CBS Atlanta with special guest presenter, Edwin Moses.

Drew Smith August 2014

Excerpt from the APIVEO Player of the Month award ceremony;

Today we celebrate Drew Smith because he Always Plays IV Each Other. Drew is a gifted track athlete. While I never saw him run personally, I have seen a couple of pretty impressive pictures of him hurdling as well as standing on the top level of podium with a medal hanging around his neck . But that’s not why he’s standing up here today. At the age of 11, Drew is already a true leader. Rather than standing around waiting for track practice to start he organized a pre-practice for his entire team. That’s leadership. On Fridays he helps the staff here at the Ron Clark Academy teach teachers how to teach him. That’s leadership. He volunteers his time in the community and even ran up his mom’s pizza bill by making a hefty donation to St Jude Children’s Hospital!

Now to present the APIVEO Player of the Month award for August 2014, I would like to introduce a great leader and athlete. A man that is dedicated to improving the world we live in by leveraging his unique talents and gifts to enrich the lives of others. For the past 15 years he has served as the Chairman of The Laureus Sport For Good Foundation. Along the way he ran a few races on the track as well. His career includes 2 Olympic gold medals, a world record that he personally broke 4 times along with a streak of 122 consecutive wins. It is my great pleasure to introduce Dr. Edwin Moses! -Brad Jubin, APIVEO

Thank you Edwin Moses, Zaxby’s, CBS Atlanta, Larry Smith, Ron Clark Academy and Jeff McPhail for your enthusiasm and support. You have made a young man feel appreciated and loved. That’s what is means to Always Play IV Each Other!

Bridges Spencer : : APIVEO Player of the Month : : July 2014

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Congratulations Bridges and thank you for Always Playing IV Each Other!

Watch Bridges’ inspiring story of leadership on CBS Atlanta.

Bridges Spencer July 2014

Excerpt from the APIVEO Player of the Month award ceremony;

Each month we present the APIVEO Player of The Month award to a youth athlete from Metro Atlanta that has demonstrated leadership through service on their team, in their home or in their community.

This afternoon we celebrate Bridges Spencer because he Always Plays IV Each Other.

Bridges is a catcher and outfielder for Buckhead Baseball and I hear he has a cannon for an arm. But that’s not why he’s standing up here today. At the ripe old age of 12, Bridges has already served the Atlanta Police Athletic League for several years. He has been a camp counselor and a trusted friend; he has helped organize equipment drives and refereed basketball games. He has rolled up his sleeves and cared for the kids served by the Atlanta Police Athletic League. That’s leadership! That’s Always Playing IV Each Other! – Brad Jubin, APIVEO

Thank you Gwinnett Braves, Zaxby’s, CBS Atlanta, Larry Smith, and Jeff McPhail for your enthusiasm and support. You have made a young man feel appreciated and loved. That’s what is means to Always Play IV Each Other!