I had the lovely experience of spending one on one time with Melody Guy. I am amazed always at the wondrous people that Pilot has brought in my life. You may recall she mentioned she was coming to Pittsburgh to sing the National Anthem when she was performing for all of us Pilots in Dallas. After her performance I spoke to her and we exchanged phone numbers. Through text messages and facebook we got to know each other and she invited Jon and I to be with her on the field at PNC Park.
She arrived on Thursday night and came straight from the airport to the Jaggerbush Bar and Grille, there she play for about 2 hours for friends and family. On Friday she came to the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh and played a few songs for the residents. Watching her perform “Mistakes Like Me” for the residents was incredible. I still get choked up when thinking about it. Then Jon and I met up with her and Eli at PNC Park. We walked this long path under the ballpark to a set of sets down where light shown down another set of steps we walked that placed us right next to the Pirate Dugout. We walked across the Dugout to Home Plate. We hung out on the field for about a half hour watching in awe as a crowd filled the 30,000+ seats around us. Clint Hurdle came out to greet us. At 6:58 the announcer asked everyone to please stand and he announced the National Anthem would be sung by Melody Guy. There she was, in the 88 degree heat I had goose bumps. She was on Home Plate, on the Jumbo Screen and her name across the stadium. Cub Scouts stood at attention across the field from her. It was so quiet! As if the crowd hung on her every word. It was amazing. When she was done, players congratulated her, when we were at the food stands people congratulated her and even in our seats- someone got their picture with her. I experienced our National Anthem in a way I never have before.
Today I keep thinking about it- The National Anthem of the United States. Written in 1814 but only made by congress the official national anthem in 1931.
Eight Lines when sung has people of all diversity stands at attention for about one and a half minutes. Eight Lines remind us of our patriotism for one and a half minutes. Eight Lines bring widows to tears for one and a half minutes. Eight Lines make children stand taller for one and a half minutes. Eight Lines give ball players peace of mind and reflection for one and a half minutes. Eight Lines brought wonderful new friends together with Melody, Eli, Jon and myself and have me reflecting on the experience longer than one and a half minutes.
Do you think Francis Scott Key thought about diversity, friends, baseball when writing those lines? I doubt it. I doubt he ever thought he would create such a legacy.
Do you ever think about your legacy? I am sure if you have children and grandchildren you have. If you are my age, I bet you have not thought about your legacy much. How about your leadership legacy? Do you know what that legacy would be?
As leaders we create our legacy everyday. Our ability as leaders will not be measured parks we build or what our club did as our tenure. You and I will be judged by how well the people we invested in carried on after we are gone. As baseball great Jackie Robinson observed, “A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives.”
Think about and answer these questions: What was Mother Theresa’s legacy? How does her work continue to impact others? Why did her work continue after her death?
If you desire to make an impact as a leader of the future generation, then I suggest that you become highly intentional about your legacy. I believe every person leaves some kind of legacy-some positive, some negative.
At your next meeting ask and discuss these questions with your club. Why do we need a team of good leaders to succeed? What does your club’s potential legacy look like? Who is involved in building that legacy? What priority have you placed on mentoring others? Explain. How would you go about choosing someone to replace yourself? If you suddenly left your organization, what would the impact be? What will you do to ensure the legacy and future success of your organization?
People invest in what they believe in. And if you are just half hearted about Pilot, it is unlikely you will invest in Pilot’s future. Spend about an hour today brainstorming and recording your thoughts about why you do what you do.
Some questions to get you started: What does my club provide for the community? Why is my club important? I believe in Pilot’s mission statement because: ______. The job that I think I would most enjoy would be ______. I do what I do because _____. When all is said and done, I want my impact to be: ______.
You may realize you are right where you need to be, and that you should be investing in the vision and future of Pilot. Or you may see how your current position is just a stepping stone of your journey, but you can still invest by improving yourself and you try to strengthen Pilot.
A leader’s lasting value is measured by succession. May you and I live and lead according to that standard.
Sherri Lynn Dunik
Plan with Attitude. Prepare with Aptitude. Participate with Servitude, Receive with Gratitude. And that should be enough to Separate you from the Multitudes.
Pilot International Leadership Coordinator
http://facebook.com/sldunik
Twitter @sherrilynndunik
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