Orrin Woodward of Team - Courage

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."- Henry David Thoreau

"A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men whose timidity prevented them from making a first effort."- Sydney Smith

Saw these and was reminded of Orrin Woodward - a man who has the courage to dream.

Why not live the life you imagined? Can you honestly say that today's four meetings at work were about what you reallly value in life? Think back. Think hard.

What will be the reward for all your effort, for all the years of attending meeting after meeting after meeting after meeting? Will you be pushed out without the pension you thought you were going to get? Or will you get a smaller than expected pension to match those ever-diminishing medical benefits? What kind of life will you really have?

You can have the life of your dreams. All that is required is that you make the effort - that you begin to change some things.

That's what Orrin Woodward did. That's what you can do.

All it takes is a little courage.

Orrin Woodard of Team - Choice
William Jennings Bryan said: "Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

Orrin Woodward made a choice several years ago and created his destiny. And because he did, and because he created a system that you can plug into called the Team, you can choose to create your destiny. You don't create a destiny by waiting for it.

Here are a couple more thoughts to get you started:"Act as if it were impossible to fail."- Dorothea Brande

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing."- Abraham Lincoln

Be resolved and get moving. You will win.

Orrin Woodard of Team - Choice
William Jennings Bryan said: "Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

Orrin Woodward made a choice several years ago and created his destiny. And because he did, and because he created a system that you can plug into called the Team, you can choose to create your destiny. You don't create a destiny by waiting for it.

Here are a couple more thoughts to get you started:"Act as if it were impossible to fail."- Dorothea Brande

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing."- Abraham Lincoln

Be resolved and get moving. You will win.

Orrin Woodard of Team - Action
A couple of great quotes:

"We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once."- Calvin Coolidge"

An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied."- Arnold Glasow

One thing I've always admired about Orrin Woodward is that he is a man of action. He gets things done. Because he takes action, the Team has become an idea whose time has come. There is no stopping it. It will become the biggest business on the planet.

That's pretty big.

Thanks for your example Orrin. Keep moving.

Orrin Woodard of Team - A Man for Others

On page 140 of Jeffrey Marx’ book “Seasons of Life”, we find that Joe Erhmann’s code of conduct revolves around four masculinity traits which Joe claims form ”the moral and ethical foundation” of a man built for others. As I read, I couldn’t help but think of Orrin Woodward – truly a man built for others.

 

He accepts responsibility.

He leads courageously.

He enacts justice on behalf of others.

He expects God’s greater rewards.

 

I encourage you to get the book to read what he has to say about these traits.  It will be food for thought. I’ve personally watched Orrin Woodward accept responsibility, lead courageously and enact justice. That’s what his business, The Team, is all about. First, embracing the traits himself and then, creating a system that levels the playing field for anyone with the courage to want to improve their life.

 

As far as expecting God’s greater rewards, let me quote from the book as to what Joe meant by that.  Here’s Joe explaining it to Jeff: (p145)  “I think there is a time when God is going to reward people that were relationally just and lived a life filled with cause.  You don’t need to “get it all” in this world. You can say “no” to an awful lot of things (italics his) so that you can be focused on other people.  Ultimately, there is a day of reckoning.  And that is for all eternity.  You don’t have to have the biggest house, the biggest car, all that kind of stuff once you get there, and by knowing that, by expecting God’s greater rewards, you can free up your time and energy to be about other people, to be about your causes.”

 

A few years ago, Orrin Woodward decided to be about other people and to be about his cause – creating, with God’s grace and some work, the best business on the planet. Best because it gives everyone an equal opportunity to enjoy success.  Orrin didn’t necessarily expect great rewards.  He expected that God would be true to his character and would be just.  And of course, God is.

 

Because Orrin had great vision, was willing to take responsibility and lead courageously, and willing to teach others to do the same, the Team will one day be a household word.

Orrin Woodard of Team - More on Character

Ran across a poem in a great little book recommended to me by Jim Hunter entitled "Season of Life" by Jeffrey Marx.  The verse brought to mind Orrin Woodward, a man who can look at "The Man in the Glass" and be proud of himself.

When you get what you want in the struggle for self

and the world makes you king for a day,

then go to the mirror and look at yourself

and see what that guy has to say.

For it isn't your mother, brother or friends

whose judgement you must pass.

The person whose verdict counts most in your life

is the one staring back in the glass.

You can go down the pathway of years,

receiving pats on the back as you pass.

But your final reward will be heartache and tears

if you cheated that guy in the glass.

Orrin Woodward refuses to cheat the guy in the glass. That's why I and several thousand others choose to follow him as he puts together the best business this world has ever seen.

Orrin Woodard of Team - A Goal (2)
In my last post I quoted the book "Conversations With Millionaires" and Mike Litman's interview with Jim Rohn, who had an intersting take on becoming a millionaire.

In their conversation Rohn said, "When I was 25 years old, my mentor said, 'I suggest Mr. Rohn, that you set a goal to become a millionaire...... for what it makes of you to achieve it."

Again: Set a goal to become a millionaire for what it makes of you to achieve it.

Rohn continues, "Do it for the skills you have to learn and the person you have to become. Do it for what you'll end up knowing about the marketplace, what you'll learn about the management of time and working with people. Do it for dicovering how to keep your ego in check....for what you have to learn about becoming benevolent.... for what you have to learn about society and business and government and taxes and becoming an accomplished person to reach the status of millionaire. All that you have learned and all that you've become to reach the status of millionaire is what's valuable. Not the million dollars. If you do it that way, then once you've become a millionaire, you can give your money away. Because it's not the money that's really important. What's important is the person you have become."

This is one of the best pieces of philosophy I have ever heard. And the man I know who did it the right way - the way described here, is my mentor, Orrin Woodward. Sure Orrin has gone from a struggling Platinum to fully qualified Founders Executive Diamond in the six 6 short years I've known him. But how he did it is what has earned him my admiration and respect. Orrin made himself the project. For the past six years, I have watched Orrin focus on improving himself and serving his team. He epitomizes the philosophy that Jim Rohn speaks about in the "Conversations..." book. Orrin Woodward has incredible results in all aspects of his life. That's why I'm following his lead as he builds his business.

Orrin Woodard of Team - A Goal
In the book "Conversations With Millionaires" Mike Litman interviewed Jim Rohn who had an intersting take on becoming a millionaire. In their conversation Rohn said,"When I was 25 years old, my mentor said, 'I suggest Mr. Rohn, that you set a goal to become a millionaire.' I was intrigued by that. You know, it's got a nice ring to it - millionaire. Then he said, 'Here's why.' I said, 'Gosh, you don't need to teach me why. Wouldn't it be great to have a million dollars.' Then he said, 'No, then you'll never acquire it. Here's why. Set a goal to become a millionaire for what it makes of you to achieve it.'"

Lets go over that again. "Set a goal to become a millionaire for what it makes of you to achieve it."

Wonderful advice. And I've watched Orrin Woodward on his journey. I'll go into more detail about this in my next post.

Orrin Woodard of Team - Reading

As I considered Orrin Woodward's voracious appetite for books, (the man reads 2-3 books each week and has done so since we made our acquaintance some six years ago) I was reminded of these pithy comments regarding the subject, made by a prodigious reader himself, Morton Blackwell of the Leadership Institute:


"Some people bluntly say they don't read.

Others offer an excuse: They would read if only they had the time.

I will also be blunt: People who don't read cheat themselves. By not reading, they limit what they can achieve, make mistakes they could avoid, and miss opportunities that could improve their lives. Finally, as the gaps in their knowledge become apparent, they must reconcile themselves to not being taken seriously."


Well said Mr. Blackwell.

So dear reader, I wonder....
Are you being taken seriously?

Orrin Woodward of Team - Listening
Ran across this paragraph on listening today which put me in mind of Orrin Woodward, co-author of "Launching a Leadership Revolution".

"In our time-starved society, attentiveness and listening skills seem to have fallen to the wayside. In order to make those with whom you communicate feel important, brush up on your listening skills. Make sure to give the speaker your undivided attention: regardless of how great you are at multi-tasking, treating an individual as a "task" is not a good idea. Eye-contact, nodding in agreement, asking leading questions and using your face to provide feedback also contribute to a positive communication experience that will foster the growth of the relationship."

Sound advice. I wonder if anyone is listening...

Orrin Woodward & Ronald Reagan
One of my favorite Ronald Reagan quotes:

"You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done." - Ronald Reagan

Reminds me of Orrin Woodward. 

I can unconditionally happily say, Orrin Woodward is doing "all that can be done."

Orrin Woodward & Herb Kelleher
Here's a quote from Herb Kelleher, CEO of Southwest Airlines on Leadership:

"I'd describe leadership as servanthood. The best leaders, I think, have to be good followers as well. You have to be quite willing to accept other people's ideas even when they are in conflict with your own. You have to be willling to subjugate your ego to the needs of your business. You have to be willing to take risks for your people. If you won't fight for your people, you can count on your people not fighting for you."

An accurate description of Orrin Woodward and many of the other leaders on the Team as well.

Orrin Woodard of Team - Washington's Final 10 Maxims

Here are the final 10 of the behavioral maxims so indelibly self-imprinted on our country's first President, and without doubt, upon many other of our Country's leaders, not among the least of whom is Orrin Woodward of the Team.

(Ferry Farm c.1744)

101st Rince not your Mouth in the Presence of Others.

102nd It is out of use to call upon the Company often to Eat nor need you Drink to others every Time you Drink.

103rd In Company of your Betters be not longer in eating than they are lay not your Arm but only your hand upon the table.

104th It belongs to the Chiefest in Company to unfold his Napkin and fall to Meat first, But he ought then to Begin in time & to Dispatch with Dexterity that the Slowest may have time allowed him.

105th Be not Angry at Table whatever happens & if you have reason to be so, Shew it not but on a Chearfull Countenance especially if there be Strangers for Good Humour makes one Dish of Meat a Feast.

106th Set not yourself at the upper of the Table but if it Be your Due or that the Master of the house will have it So, Contend not, least you Should Trouble the Company.

107th If others talk at Table be attentive but talk not with Meat in your Mouth.

108th When you Speak of God or his Atributes, let it be Seriously & [wt.] Reverence. Honour & Obey your Natural Parents altho they be Poor.

109th Let your Recreations be Manfull not Sinfull.

110th Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire Called Conscience.

Well, there they are. A few additional table manners and bringing the list to a close, a final strong three regarding spirituality. I need not elaborate, but I cannot resist imploring you dear reader, to pay the closest attention to #110.

I am thankful that our first (and in my humble opinion, our finest) president did, and that my friend, Orrin Woodward does as well.

Orrin Woodward of Team - Washington's Maxims Continued
Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". Enjoy!

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

91st Make no Shew of taking great Delight in your Victuals, Feed not with Greediness; cut your Bread with a Knife, lean not on the Table neither find fault with what you Eat.

92nd Take no Salt or cut Bread with your Knife Greasy.

93rd Entertaining any one at table it is decent to present him wt. meat, Undertake not to help others undesired by the Master.

94th If you Soak bread in the Sauce let it be no more than what you put in your Mouth at a time and blow not your broth at Table but Stay till Cools of it Self.

95th Put not your meat to your Mouth with your Knife in your hand neither Spit forth the Stones of any fruit Pye upon a Dish nor Cast anything under the table.

96th It's unbecoming to Stoop much to ones Meat Keep your Fingers clean & when foul wipe them on a Corner of your Table Napkin.

97th Put not another bit into your Mouth til the former be Swallowed let not your Morsels be too big for the Gowls.

98th Drink not nor talk with your mouth full neither Gaze about you while you are a Drinking.

99th Drink not too leisurely nor yet too hastily. Before and after Drinking wipe your Lips. breath not then or Ever with too Great a Noise, for its uncivil.

100th Cleanse not your teeth with the Table Cloth Napkin Fork or Knife but if Others do it let it be done wt. a Pick Tooth.

There you have it - the ten having to do with table manners. And we wondered where our parents came up with their rules for the dinner table. Can't you hear them? .....Get your elbows off the table....don't blow on your soup.....don't talk with your mouth full....

I'm sure that Orrin & Laurie Woodward are passing these along to their children today -- as are all of us.

Orrin Woodward of Team - Washington's Maxims
Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". Enjoy!

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

81st Be not Curious to Know the Affairs of Others neither approach those that Speak in Private.

82nd Undertake not what you cannot Perform but be Careful to keep your Promise.

83rd When you deliver a matter do it without Passion & with Discretion, however mean the Person be you do it too.

84th When your Superiours talk to any Body hearken not neither Speak nor Laugh.

85th In Company of these of Higher Quality than yourself Speak not til you are ask'd a Question then Stand upright put off your Hat & Answer in few words.

86th In Disputes, be not So Desireous to Overcome as not to give Liberty to each one to deliver his Opinion and Submit to the Judgment of the Major Part especially if they are Judges of the Dispute.

87th Let thy carriage be such as becomes a Man Grave Settled and attentive to that which is spoken. Contradict not at every turn what others Say.

88th Be not tedious in Discourse, make not many Digressigns, nor repeat often the Same manner of Discourse.

89th Speak not Evil of the absent for it is unjust.

90th Being Set at meat Scratch not neither Spit Cough or blow your Nose except there's a Necessity for it.

All great - but especially #89.

Thanks Orrin Woodward for your leadership and for being a great example of all these maxims for the Team.

Orrin Woodward & George Washington - Next Ten
Here are the next ten maxims of Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation" which I hope, you are enjoying AND applying.

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

71st Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of Others and ask not how they came. What you may Speak in Secret to your Friend deliver not before others.

72nd Speak not in an unknown Tongue in Company but in your own Language and that as those of Quality do and not as the Vulgar; Sublime matters treat Seriously.

73rd Think before you Speak pronounce not imperfectly nor bring out your Words too hastily but orderly & distinctly.

74th When Another Speaks be attentive your Self and disturb not the Audience if any hesitate in his Words help him not nor Prompt him without desired, Interrupt him not, nor Answer him till his Speech be ended.

75th In the midst of Discourse ask [not of what one treateth] but if you Perceive any Stop because of your coming you may well intreat him gently to Proceed: If a Person of Quality comes in while your Conversing it's handsome to Repeat what was said before.

76th While you are talking, Point not with your Finger at him of Whom you Discourse nor Approach too near him to whom you talk especially to his face.

77th Treat with men at fit Times about Business & Whisper not in the Company of Others.

78th Make no Comparisons and if any of the Company be Commended for any brave act of Vertue, commend not another for the Same.

79th Be not apt to relate News if you know not the truth thereof. In Discoursing of things you Have heard Name not your Author always A Secret Discover not.

80th Be not Tedious in Discourse or in reading unless you find the Company pleased therewith.

Some fine reminders about speaking. Orrin Woodward has put them all to use.

Orrin Woodward of Team - 7th Ten Washington Maxims
Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". Enjoy!

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

61st Utter not base and frivilous things amongst grave and Learn'd Men nor very Difficult Questians or Subjects, among the Ignorant or things hard to be believed, Stuff not your Discourse with Sentences amongst your Betters nor Equals.

62nd Speak not of doleful Things in a Time of Mirth or at the Table; Speak not of Melancholy Things as Death and Wounds, and if others Mention them Change if you can the Discourse tell not your Dreams, but to your intimate Friend.

63rd A Man ought not to value himself of his Atchievements, or rare Qualities of wit; much less of his riches Virtue or Kindred.

64th Break not a Jest where none take pleasure in mirth Laugh not aloud, nor at all without Occasion, deride no mans Misfortune, tho' there Seem to be Some cause.

65th Speak not injurious Words neither in Jest nor Earnest Scoff at none although they give Occasion.

66th Be not froward but friendly and Courteous; the first to Salute hear and answer & be not Pensive when it's a time to Converse.

67th Detract not from others neither be excessive in Commanding.

68th Go not thither, where you know not, whether you Shall be Welcome or not. Give not Advice without being Ask'd and when desired do it briefly.

69th If two contend together take not the part of either unconstrained; and be not obstinate in your own Opinion, in Things indiferent be of the Major Side.

70th Reprehend not the imperfections of others for that belongs to Parents Masters and Superiours.

I hope you are studying these as much as I am. I'm quite sure that Orrin Woodward, co author of "Leading the Consumer Rebellion" and "Launching a Leadership Revolution" has these noted in a book in his library and I'll bet he can put his hands on it in less than 30 seconds.

Orrin Woodard of Team & George Washington's 6th Ten
Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". Enjoy!

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

51st Wear not your Cloths, foul, unript or Dusty but See they be Brush'd once every day at least and take heed that you approach not to any Uncleaness.

52nd In your Apparel be Modest and endeavour to accomodate Nature, rather than to procure Admiration keep to the Fashion of your equals Such as are Civil and orderly with respect to Times and Places.

53rd Run not in the Streets, neither go too s]owly nor with Mouth open go not Shaking yr Arms kick not the earth with yr feet, go not upon the Toes, nor in a Dancing fashion.

54th Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to See if you be well Deck't, if your Shoes fit well if your Stokings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely.

55th Eat not in the Streets, nor in the House, out of Season.

56th Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.

57th In walking up and Down in a House, only with One in Company if he be Greater than yourself, at the first give him the Right hand and Stop not till he does and be not the first that turns, and when you do turn let it be with your face towards him, if he be a Man of Great Quality, walk not with him Cheek by Joul but Somewhat behind him; but yet in Such a Manner that he may easily Speak to you.

58th Let your Conversation be without Malice or Envy, for 'tis a Sign of a Tractable and Commendable Nature: And in all Causes of Passion admit Reason to Govern.

59th Never express anything unbecoming, nor Act against the Rules Moral before your inferiours.

60th Be not immodest in urging your Freinds to Discover a Secret.

How about #56? And #58 and #59? Orrin Woodward, co-author of "Leading the Consumer Rebellion" and "Launching a Leadership Revolution" would agree. I mean, they're all good, but some really stand out, don't they?

Orrin Woodard of Team & George Washington's 5th Ten
Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". Enjoy!

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

41st Undertake not to Teach your equal in the art himself Proffesses; it Savours of arrogancy.

42nd Let thy ceremonies in Courtesie be proper to the Dignity of his place [with whom thou conversest for it is absurd to act the same with a Clown and a Prince.

43rd Do not express Joy before one sick or in pain for that contrary Passion will aggravate his Misery.

44th When a man does all he can though it Succeeds not well blame not him that did it.

45th Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in publick or in Private; presently, or at Some other time in what terms to do it & in reproving Shew no Sign of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.

46th Take all Admonitions thankfully in what Time or Place Soever given but afterwards not being culpable take a Time and Place convenient to let him him know it that gave them.

47th Mock not nor Jest at any thing of Importance break no Jest that are Sharp Biting and if you Deliver any thing witty and Pleasent abtain from Laughing thereat yourself.
48th Wherein you reprove Another be unblameable yourself; for example is more prevalent than Precepts.

49th Use no Reproachfull Language against any one neither Curse nor Revile.

50th Be not hasty to beleive flying Reports to the Disparagement of any.


Another powerful ten.  I see Orrin Woodward throughout.

Orrin Woodward of Team & George Washingtons's Maxims
Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation".

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

31st If any one far Surpassess others, either in age, Estate, or Merit [yet] would give Place to a meaner than himself in his own lodging or elsewhere the one ought not to except it, So he on the other part should not use much earnestness nor offer] it above once or twice.

32d: To one that is your equal, or not much inferior you are to give the cheif Place in your Lodging and he to who 'tis offered ought at the first to refuse it but at the Second to accept though not without acknowledging his own unworthiness.

33d They that are in Dignity or in office have in all places Preceedency but whilst they are Young they ought to respect those that are their equals in Birth or other Qualitys, though they have no Publick charge.

34th It is good Manners to prefer them to whom we Speak before ourselves especially if they be above us with whom in no Sort we ought to begin.

35th Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.

36th Artificers & Persons of low Degree ought not to use many ceremonies to Lords, or Others of high Degree but Respect and highly Honour them, and those of high Degree ought to treat them with affibility & Courtesie, without Arrogancy.

37th In Speaking to men of Quality do not lean nor Look them full in the Face, nor approach too near them at lest Keep a full Pace from them.

38th In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physicion if you be not Knowing therein.

39th In writing or Speaking, give to every Person his due Title According to his Degree & the Custom of the Place.

40th Strive not with your Superiers in argument, but always Submit your Judgment to others with Modesty.

Hope you are enjoying these as much as Orrin Woodward, co-author of "Leading the Consumer Rebellion" and "Launching a Leadership Revolution" has!