Ordinary Visionaries - Brad Withers

Summary

In this insightful interview, Brad Withers discusses the concept of being an 'ordinary Visionary,' emphasizing the innate ability of everyone to envision and work towards their future goals. He shares his personal journey from nearly purchasing a business to becoming a motivational speaker and corporate trainer. Brad highlights the importance of listening to oneself, adapting to change, and the power of asking questions to facilitate learning and growth. He also delves into the distinction between managers and leaders, advocating for a leadership style that empowers and encourages creativity, rather than controlling. The conversation touches on self-leadership, the challenges of being self-employed, and the significance of enjoying one's work and life.

Takeaways

• 👋 Brad Withers identifies as an 'ordinary Visionary', emphasizing that everyone has the ability to envision their future and work towards it, even if they don't have a 'Grand Vision' of life.
• 🔄 Brad's journey involved a shift from considering buying a business to becoming a motivational speaker, highlighting the importance of adaptability and following one's interests.
• 🗣️ The power of asking questions is a key theme in Brad's approach to facilitation, which encourages dialogue and the surfacing of insights from the audience rather than just delivering a prepared speech.
• 📈 Brad learned the importance of customization in his workshops, adapting the content based on the specific needs and interests of the participants, which is crucial for effective learning and engagement.
• 📚 The value of continuous learning is underscored by Brad's experience, where he emphasizes reading extensively on a topic to gain a deep understanding and develop discernment.
• 🎓 Brad's transition from using provided material to creating his own content reflects the evolution of his expertise and the importance of authenticity in teaching and leadership.
• 🛑 The interview discusses the challenges of maintaining relevance and adaptability, such as when Brad was let go for not using the prescribed PowerPoint and workbook, underscoring the need for innovation in one's approach.
• 🤝 The distinction between managers and leaders is a central point, with Brad defining managers as controllers focused on behavior and results, while leaders focus on changing mindsets and empowering individuals.
• 💡 Brad's mentorship experience and his own learning journey, such as learning to play the guitar, illustrate the concept of leadership and consciousness, and the importance of being open to new experiences.
• 🌐 The conversation touches on cultural differences in leadership and teamwork, as Brad's experience in South Korea taught him about the impact of hierarchy and collective action within a culture.
• 🔑 The final takeaway is about self-leadership, the importance of setting personal goals, being self-motivated, and the ability to self-reflect and adapt one's own path in life.

Q & A

What does Brad Withers consider himself to be in terms of vision and ordinary life?

Brad Withers considers himself an 'ordinary Visionary' because he believes everyone has the ability to envision their future and work towards achieving it, despite being ordinary individuals.

How did Brad Withers' journey begin in the motivational speaking and leadership training field?

Brad's journey began after a failed attempt to buy a small business. His mentor and backer advised him to start anew, which led him to motivational speaking and eventually to working with a seminar company.

What significant event happened during Brad's first week as a motivational speaker?

Brad's first week as a motivational speaker coincided with the 9/11 attacks, leading to a chaotic experience of being handed five different plane tickets due to flight cancellations.

How did Brad's mentor influence his approach to motivational speaking?

Brad's mentor helped him transition from the motivational side to a more facilitative approach, focusing on asking questions and engaging the audience's experiences rather than just delivering a prepared speech.

What was Brad's experience like working for a company that booked motivational speakers?

Brad worked with about 80 different speakers, learning various styles and gaining a wealth of experience. However, he eventually decided to focus solely on corporate work rather than hotel room presentations.

How did Brad's approach to material and teaching style evolve over time?

Brad moved away from using the outdated material provided by the seminar company to creating his own dialogue with people, focusing on interaction and learning from the audience rather than just teaching.

What is Brad's perspective on the difference between being a manager and being a leader?

Brad believes managers focus on control and telling people what to do, while leaders aim to change people's minds, encouraging them to think differently and take different actions.

How does Brad approach the issue of resistance to learning and self-improvement in his workshops?

Brad addresses resistance by asking participants what they want to get out of the workshop, adapting his approach to serve their needs and encouraging them to take ownership of their learning process.

What is Brad's view on the importance of self-leadership for individuals, especially those who are self-employed?

Brad emphasizes the importance of self-leadership, including setting goals, organizing time effectively, and being self-motivated, as crucial for individuals to move forward in their personal and professional development.

Can you provide an example of how Brad applies the concept of 'start, stop, continue, change, improve' in his workshops?

Brad starts his workshops with the 'start, stop, continue, change, improve' exercise to help participants identify actions they need to take to grow and develop, focusing on practical application rather than just theoretical knowledge.

What is Brad's approach to writing and editing his books, and how has it evolved?

Brad's approach to writing involves initially creating a lot of content, then going through multiple rounds of editing to refine and improve the material. He learned from the process of editing his first book, which made him a better writer for his subsequent works.