Episode 167: "Preparing for the Best."

Greetings, Summit Leaders.

Be encouraged, my friends, because you are preparing now for the best!

I am always inspired when I speak with Summit Leaders and recently a group of IBM Summit Interns by their optimism about the future.

As I listen to their stories and journey thus far, it is impressive to see the leadership attributes they developed during times of challenge and testing. Qualities such as perseverance, persistence, practice, honesty, and vision are their leadership attributes.

Every great leader develops distinctive qualities by responding appropriately to their challenges on their life and career journeys.

Now, today is the day to prepare for the best in your life and career!
There is an excellent opportunity for significant and growing work that is open to us now. And there are many adversaries. Great leaders exercise their faith and step into the possibility.

Every time we receive a new opportunity, one of the wisest things we can do is think back on our journey and the faithfulness we experienced in gaining victory over fear, "imposter syndrome," doubt, and unbelief.

Remember, Reflect and Resolve.

Remember the victories won thus far. How did you respond then, and what is your best response now?

Reflect on the insights you gained along the way as you persevered, persisted, and practiced disciplines to win. One leader described being homeless for a while but persevered, kept her faith, completed school, and is now thriving as a college student and IBM intern.

Resolve to keep going and not quit. Never give up! is the attitude I repeatedly hear in the stories of Summit Leaders.

The opportunity is tremendous, and to whom much is given, much is required—faithfulness matters on the journey. One Summit Leader speaks of the disciplined practices that help him perform at his best and be adaptable to changing circumstances.

Preparing for the vision you have for the future is a step in faith great leaders take and encourage us to do the same.

"Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!" - Anne Frank.

Great leaders believe and are optimistic about the future. They envision their vision even during the most challenging of times. They have a confident assurance, and they encourage others as they go.

The open door ahead of us requires we step through by faith. It requires study to show ourselves approved—expecting, anticipating, and preparing for the best!

All the Summit Leaders I know are:
• Hard workers.
• Strive toward the extraordinary.
• Creative.
• Building skills and confidence to prepare for the best for themselves.
• The new clients they will serve.
• The communities where they live.
• Their families.

"The future is going to demand more of us than the past has demanded, and it is going to give us more in return. If we measure up to our job, if we give to this world everything that is in us, we shall get more in return in the future than we ever did in the past." - Thomas J. Watson, Sr.

"Foreseeing a Century of IBM Progress" Closing Address, 1932 One Hundred Percent Club. January 25, 1933, New York, NY.

Be encouraged, Summit Leaders! The best is coming. Let's get ready!

Victory!