Higher Leading with Jay Meyer

Living in the past is the quickest way to having a miserable present and future. If there is something from your past that seems to be holding you back, it’s time to let go and let God. He wants you to live a full and joyful life, but you’ve got to be willing to name and claim the thoughts that are inhibiting you from living in the present and seeing a better future. Then, you must dump those thoughts and learn to resist picking them back up again.  Listen to today’s ChalkTalk for my thoughts on letting go of the past. 

It’s hard to believe, but this week marks the one-year anniversary of the Higher Leading podcast! To celebrate, I brought back my very first guest, Scott McGohan, former CEO and Co-Chairman of McGohan Brabender. In the episode, we discuss our recovery journeys, and how finally getting vulnerable and truly working on ourselves from the inside out has shaped our leadership styles. We also talk about Scott’s newly published book “Culture Is an Inside Job” (available on Amazon), and I get an update on his succession experience, as he prepares to turn McGohan Brabender over to others who are ready to lead. 

When you’re faced with a difficult problem or experience a major setback, do you immediately think, “Why me?” What if you flipped the script and asked yourself, “Why not me?” instead?  One simple word added to this simple question will change your life. Don’t be a victim. Don’t be the devil’s prey. Know that you’ve been chosen not for the pain and struggle, but for the growth and wisdom that comes as a result.  Join me on today’s ChalkTalk for my thoughts on living with a VICTOR mentality.  

The Dakota Center is a for-purpose organization that seeks to awaken the whole human potential of youth and seniors in inner-west Dayton, Ohio. Mike Miller is the Executive Director, and on this episode of Higher Leading, he and I discuss the maelstrom caused by the COVID pandemic and how the Dakota Center’s mission, vision, values and strategic plan served as the organization’s anchor during that time.  Their clearly articulated and understood framework of operating provided a valuable decision-making filter for Mike and his team during an unprecedented time. 

Whether you are leading a team at work, leading your family at home, or simply leading yourself through life, it's important to recognize the importance  -- even imperativeness -- of personal growth.  On today's ChalkTalk, we're talking about how growing as an individual can exponentially affect the growth of the people around us, and I encourage my listeners to take on the 90-90 Challenge!

Betsy Westhafer is the CEO and founder of The Congruity Group, an organization that is helping C-Level managers engage with their customers at a strategic level, building trust and gaining critical insights to ensure growth and success. In this episode of Higher Leading, Betsy and I discuss our shared passion for building customer and culture focused organizations, and the author and entrepreneur shares her advice for living life with calm confidence, instead of frantic desperation. From focusing on the things that she can control to ending her day with a positive thought, Betsy’s wise words are certain to inspire. 

Our world feels like it is on shaky ground these days. Anxiety, fear and discord are all around us, and sometimes it feels like a very heavy, ominous storm is brewing. I empathize… but I also have good news. There is a way to feel more balance, harmony and contentment, and it all starts with building a rock-solid foundation in Him. On this episode of ChalkTalk, I’m sharing a self-tested and proven formula of prayer, priorities and P.A.C.E. that has helped me weather some of my life’s most difficult storms. I hope you find something in today’s episode that puts you on the path to more peace. 

As a police officer, Monnie Bush witnessed first-hand the challenges that our society faces in terms of at-risk youth.  Kids who came from single parent homes or who were being raised by their grandparents simply could not break the cycle of poverty, and behavioral issues at home soon became criminal issues on the streets. As a faith-filled and family-centered man, Monnie felt God nudging him to find an alternative for these kids.  So in 2009, he founded the Victory Project, an organization that is empowering America's youth to rediscover the life God intended for them. Monnie is an inspirational example of higher leading, and I can’t wait for you to hear about the incredible impact the Victory Project is having on our world. 

Living well takes effort, but it isn’t rocket science.  If you want to make positive change in your life, you must simply get up and start walking in the right direction.  I learned this truth from some hard, personal experiences, but also from the example set by two of the most influential people in my life - my parents. I’ve had extra cause to reflect on this, as mom recently passed into the eternal, and it's been both comforting and inspiring to recognize how the decisions she and my dad made to live well, continue to affect and influence me today. By the end of this episode of ChalkTalk, my hope is that you realize how positive change, no matter how small, can alter the trajectory of your life and those that follow you in ways unimaginable. 

Sometimes what we view as an inconvenience is simply God’s way of putting us back on the right path. In today’s episode of Higher Leading, Crystal Allen shares the story of how a broken shoe on the way to an important meeting led her to the Boys & Girls Club of Dayton.  As the current CEO, Crystal is extremely clear on her vision to become the premiere youth development organization in the region. Some of the topics Crystal and I discuss include the importance of mentorship, pouring ourselves into the development of others, and leading ourselves well so that we can lead others well.  I challenge anyone who listens to this episode to resist being inspired by Crystal’s intensely palpable passion for her work!