“I didn’t do this just for me or my children … I did this for the community, the entire community…”

When Annie Gibson, an 87-year-old woman from Summerton, South Carolina, told Jeffrey Black, principal of Black Sheep Reputations, these very words back in 1999, he knew for the first time the definition of a true leader.  We assume that leaders are senior executives of Fortune 100 corporations, successful entrepreneurs, elected officials … people who get the attention of a community, state or nation.

Annie Gibson was none of these.  However, her actions in November 1949 when she signed a local petition asking for equal educational opportunities for her children, make her leadership role in the country’s landmark school desegregation case no less important.   Her small act, which came with great sacrifice, changed the course of history.  Annie Gibson, who became a personal friend and mentor to Jeffrey, taught him the true definition of leadership: leaders are awakened because of something that is stirred inside their hearts.

Whether through a keynote speech or training program, Jeffrey will share his four step process to help leaders become re-awakened to what matters most in their lives. 

Leadership Workshop Client Excerpts!

A leader must strive for and support work/life balance.

Family.  Health.  Happiness.  Spiritual life.  Work.  It’s a balancing act to handle all five areas of our lives, but if you put work before everything else, you will eventually burn out, melt down and take others down with you.  Jeffrey learned first hand in one of his local TV jobs why many of us are guilty for making – work – our bottom-line.  Are you putting everything you have into your job?  Are you ignoring what really matters in this life?   Are you asking your employees to do the same?  Stop, because it won’t work.

A leader must be a great communicator.

A USA Today poll asked workers to choose what causes the most workplace stress from these three factors:  poor communication, workload, or management.  Not surprisingly, poor communication was #1 at 68%.  (Management was only 23% of their problems!)  In a very entertaining and engaging format, Jeffrey will share some tips for helping leaders improve their verbal and non-verbal communication skills – both for internal and external audiences. 

Leaders must know the difference between managing and leading.

The old adage that “no good deed goes unpunished,” is especially true in today’s “lawsuit happy,” “everyone is a victim” society.  We are faced with difficult decisions everyday … decisions that can greatly affect ourselves, others and the organizations in which we work.  There are times when we have to wear the “manager” hat and other times when we have to wear the “leader” hat.  Occasionally, we have to wear them both.  In understanding assumptions and behaviors in ourselves and others, leaders sometimes have to put the human resources manual aside and follow their heart.  Companies make people managers.  Employees make people leaders.

A leader never gives up.

Listen to the inspiring stories of several famous people and ordinary citizens who didn’t quit – no matter what the sacrifice – or the odds against them.  Perhaps this fourth step is the most difficult of all.   We all make mistakes … today, tomorrow, next year.   Jeffrey reminds his audiences that if they go down the wrong path, simply stop, because leaders follow their hearts.