Forget the mansions and trust funds. Daymond John—the People’s Shark—says he’s not leaving his daughters a dime. In an age where “generational wealth” is often the buzzword of success, Daymond is preaching a harder truth: Legacy is earned, not inherited. In a wide-ranging interview on the Real Leaders Podcast, he breaks down what real wealth looks like, and why it’s measured not in dollars, but in discipline, intention, and impact.
1. The Myth of Leaving It All Behind “I’m not leaving my children anything,” Daymond says. “You give them everything in the world, you make them the poorest people in the world.” His philosophy is simple: when children grow up with too much comfort, they miss the lessons that come from struggle. Daymond, who built FUBU from nothing, wants his kids to inherit a mindset, not a bank account. His legacy isn’t about material handouts—it’s about creating people of value who understand what it takes to build.
2. The Power of Daily Intentionality Every morning and every night, Daymond reads his goals. Ten of them, six short-term and four long-term, spanning up to 20 years into the future. “That’s the last thing I think about when I go to sleep,” he says. This routine isn’t just motivational fluff—it’s the foundation of his discipline. “If I can make it, anybody can make it,” he insists. From a self-proclaimed C-student who repeated 7th grade to a business mogul, his consistency is proof that intentionality compounds into impact.
3. Work-Life Harmony, Not Balance “There’s work-life harmony, not work-life balance,” he explains. Daymond rejects the myth of perfect balance and instead promotes “stealing time” for what matters most. Whether it’s walking on the beach, Peppa Pig tea time with his daughters, or watching a show with his wife, he schedules these moments with as much care as business meetings. “Those things collect over the year, and you realize you stole a hundred, two hundred different times away with those that you love.”
4. True Leadership is Service Daymond sees leadership not as a hierarchy, but as service. “If you serve from a genuine place, people want to fight for you,” he says. That sincerity drives loyalty and scale. “The only way to grow is to replicate yourself. If you don’t empower others, they’ll leave or become your competition.” Leadership, in his words, is about being human, being vulnerable, and being generous—even if it’s as small as making a phone call or saying hello.
5. The Real Legacy: Discipline, Not Dollars Daymond isn’t interested in producing entitled heirs; he wants to raise leaders. “What’s important to me is longevity,” he says. His drive isn’t about accolades or comfort—it’s about walking his daughters down the aisle, seeing his grandkids grow up, and ensuring the next generation carries forward a standard, not a sum. “That carpet doesn’t give a shit about anything else,” he says of opportunity, “it just wants to know you’re going to wake up before everybody and go to sleep after everybody.”
Want more real talk from real leaders? Follow us for interviews that dig deeper than the headlines—because the future deserves more than surface-level success.
Forget the mansions and trust funds. Daymond John—the People’s Shark—says he’s not leaving his daughters a dime. In an age where “generational wealth” is often the buzzword of success, Daymond is preaching a harder truth: Legacy is earned, not inherited. In a wide-ranging interview on the Real Leaders Podcast, he breaks down what real wealth looks like, and why it’s measured not in dollars, but in discipline, intention, and impact.
1. The Myth of Leaving It All Behind “I’m not leaving my children anything,” Daymond says. “You give them everything in the world, you make them the poorest people in the world.” His philosophy is simple: when children grow up with too much comfort, they miss the lessons that come from struggle. Daymond, who built FUBU from nothing, wants his kids to inherit a mindset, not a bank account. His legacy isn’t about material handouts—it’s about creating people of value who understand what it takes to build.
2. The Power of Daily Intentionality Every morning and every night, Daymond reads his goals. Ten of them, six short-term and four long-term, spanning up to 20 years into the future. “That’s the last thing I think about when I go to sleep,” he says. This routine isn’t just motivational fluff—it’s the foundation of his discipline. “If I can make it, anybody can make it,” he insists. From a self-proclaimed C-student who repeated 7th grade to a business mogul, his consistency is proof that intentionality compounds into impact.
3. Work-Life Harmony, Not Balance “There’s work-life harmony, not work-life balance,” he explains. Daymond rejects the myth of perfect balance and instead promotes “stealing time” for what matters most. Whether it’s walking on the beach, Peppa Pig tea time with his daughters, or watching a show with his wife, he schedules these moments with as much care as business meetings. “Those things collect over the year, and you realize you stole a hundred, two hundred different times away with those that you love.”
4. True Leadership is Service Daymond sees leadership not as a hierarchy, but as service. “If you serve from a genuine place, people want to fight for you,” he says. That sincerity drives loyalty and scale. “The only way to grow is to replicate yourself. If you don’t empower others, they’ll leave or become your competition.” Leadership, in his words, is about being human, being vulnerable, and being generous—even if it’s as small as making a phone call or saying hello.
5. The Real Legacy: Discipline, Not Dollars Daymond isn’t interested in producing entitled heirs; he wants to raise leaders. “What’s important to me is longevity,” he says. His drive isn’t about accolades or comfort—it’s about walking his daughters down the aisle, seeing his grandkids grow up, and ensuring the next generation carries forward a standard, not a sum. “That carpet doesn’t give a shit about anything else,” he says of opportunity, “it just wants to know you’re going to wake up before everybody and go to sleep after everybody.”
Want more real talk from real leaders? Follow us for interviews that dig deeper than the headlines—because the future deserves more than surface-level success.
When the startup and investment arenas struggle to embrace ideas from different perspectives, here’s how to persist.
Venture capital can be the lifeblood of entrepreneurial endeavors and the catalyst for entrepreneurial growth. However, its support is often elusive.
To protect their investments, venture capitalists rely on certain patterns and trends to help them separate surefire opportunities from the overly risky. They diligently observe things like technological advancements and consumer trends to pinpoint startups with solutions that aim to address unmet needs or significant inefficiencies. They also scrutinize a startup’s team and evaluate their expertise and resilience. A blend of market foresight, thorough analysis, and a focus on scalability help VCs navigate markets with lucrative investments.
However, the corridors of the VC industry predominantly echo the voices and visions of conventional entrepreneurs. Some of the top investment areas in 2023 have been gaming and media. VC firms are in contract with limited partners and general partners who set the investment criteria. Then the start-up must fit the boxes prescribed. The flaw in this is that disruption is outside of the box, landing those ideas often in the trash pile. I believe the models they follow tend to go in the opposite way of true disruption. This isn’t to say that unicorns don’t emerge and become household names, but it’s not as frequent as it perhaps could be.
Entrepreneurs might be surprised to learn this, but vocalizing a disruptive vision can sometimes result in receiving less funding — and sometimes no funding at all. Funding earmarked for groundbreaking ideas often ends up supporting ventures that adhere to more established norms, which can sideline pioneering entrepreneurs who aim to revolutionize industries. It’s understandable, as 90 percent of disruptive startups typically fail within their first year, according to a 2020 report by Startup Genome. Beyond that, venture capitalists often fail to analyze disruptive ideas without predisposition or bias, unsure of how to fund the truly disruptive.
This is the exact struggle Salesforce founder Marc Benioff had, and it’s something I also experienced when trying to secure funding for my company. I don’t expect VCs to be able to predict the future, and I do believe that disruptive companies are rare because, well, that’s what makes them disruptive. However, continuing to exclude disruption from the entrepreneurial narrative perpetuates a cycle of inequity within the ecosystem. It’s for these reasons that I became a self-funded entrepreneur.
Where Is Our Disruptive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem?
The absence of a disruptive ecosystem can further impede the growth and representation of diverse leadership. The startup and investment arenas struggle to embrace and nurture the wealth of ideas that emerge from different perspectives. Unconventional founders often find themselves navigating an uphill battle as venture capital tends to favor tried-and-tested businesses. Women-led businesses are 63 percent less likely to secure funding than those founded by men, according to 2020 INSEAD data, and while funding for Black-owned startups has increased, Black women only received 0.34 percent of total venture capital spending in 2021, Crunchbase reported.
Armed with advanced degrees and a family legacy of scientists and mathematicians, I encountered relentless challenges when starting my company in the emerging green tech space. If I had been building a company in the gaming industry, for example, or was seeking funding for a simple software platform or beauty product, I’m confident I would have received more immediate financial support. But if you don’t fit into the current VC-prescribed investment thesis, you don’t get funded.
Just like Salesforce is now a billion-dollar giant, I’ve grown my platform-as-a-service business for co-manufacturing into a successful organization helping to cultivate higher-wage jobs in marginalized communities while providing services and co-working space to green startups in predominantly Black areas. I wanted to make Miami more inclusive to bridge the gap between innovation and equitable opportunities, and that mission will carry to other cities and counties as we grow.
I realize some of my previous insights might sound a bit bleak, but I want to express my hope and excitement for the future of innovation. I believe entrepreneurs are finding creative ways to push inventions forward without initial VC investment, which leads to more ownership for founders as they grow.
To Evolve, Keep Your Voice and Vision
My career has been fraught with encounters that typify the challenges faced by disruptive entrepreneurs. Financial and real estate professionals did not understand my vision or industry at first, and that’s OK. Green tech isn’t an industry that most professionals are familiar with — although that is changing. However, when I built the first container homes in Miami Gardens and the first of its kind in affordable housing, the industry began to explode, and lots of funding followed for many developers.
When you rely on funding from others, it can often weaken your voice and vision, keeping your business from evolving. It’s important for any founder to maintain conviction in their vision. This is a testament to your resilience and belief in the transformative impact of your ideas. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community that believes in the power of diversity and unique perspectives is pivotal. Seek out mentors, peers, and allies who champion inclusivity so you can forge ahead with confidence and determination. Remember, the world needs a distinct lens through which you view challenges and opportunities.
Develop and Maintain Your Entrepreneurial Agency
Mastering your entrepreneurial destiny through self-funding isn’t merely a financial decision — it’s a statement of autonomy and empowerment. You steer the course of your venture, which can instill a profound sense of ownership. I believe you must prepare with humility but perform with confidence, and once you prove success, you will be surprised how investors begin to throw capital your way.
Self-funding also equips you with a comprehensive understanding of your venture’s financial intricacies. It’s an immersive experience that goes beyond monetary aspects, teaching valuable lessons in resourcefulness, strategic planning, and fiscal responsibility. Every dollar invested becomes a deliberate choice, fostering a lean and efficient operation. This hands-on approach to financial management cultivates a depth of knowledge that extends far beyond the immediate needs of your business, providing a solid foundation for sustainable growth and resilience in the face of challenges.
I quickly realized my destiny was in my hands, which empowered a self-confidence and resilience I might have otherwise neglected partnering with other VC investors. For innovative entrepreneurs, this realization serves as a catalyst to challenge norms, shatter barriers, and carve new paths forward.
Explore and Nurture Your Core Entrepreneurial Skills
Self-funding is an immersive learning experience that hones a spectrum of core entrepreneurial skills. It forces entrepreneurs to develop skills beyond the conventional realms of business. From resourcefulness and adaptability to resilience and innovation, self-funding cultivates a versatile skill set crucial for your success. The need to manage limited resources efficiently prompts creative problem-solving, pushing you to explore innovative solutions and unconventional pathways to growth.
An entrepreneur’s most important tool is discipline. You must discern to use the resources you have wisely because your discipline and allocation of resources will make all the difference to your success. As a diverse founder, I’ve found that people will waste as much of your time as you let them. I have learned the hard way to be careful of the tyranny of the urgent. Learn to say no, and set agendas for your day, week, month, and year.
Navigating the self-funding landscape nurtures an inherent understanding of risk management and strategic decision-making. Every choice carries weight, compelling a meticulous evaluation of opportunities and potential risks. This hands-on approach to risk assessment and mitigation becomes ingrained in your entrepreneurial toolkit, empowering you to make informed decisions while remaining agile in a dynamic market. Moreover, the ability to pivot and adapt strategies in response to challenges becomes second nature, ensuring your venture remains agile and resilient in the face of ever-evolving circumstances.
The time is ripe for a seismic shift toward a more disruptive entrepreneurial ecosystem. The call to action rests not just with entrepreneurs themselves but within the broader ecosystem. It demands a concerted effort to recalibrate the narrative, foster networks that champion new ideas, and institute structures that offer opportunities for all voices. Choosing the path of self-funding isn’t without its trials, yet it embodies a powerful assertion of control and purpose. This journey doesn’t just benefit individual entrepreneurs; it enriches the entrepreneurial landscape.
Self-funding will phase out when you develop a track record of success. You will be amazed how funders compete with each other for your business, so be patient and keep turning a profit. This is where the skills of negotiation and prudence really come in handy, as you now know your value and can negotiate fair terms.
When the startup and investment arenas struggle to embrace ideas from different perspectives, here’s how to persist.
Venture capital can be the lifeblood of entrepreneurial endeavors and the catalyst for entrepreneurial growth. However, its support is often elusive.
To protect their investments, venture capitalists rely on certain patterns and trends to help them separate surefire opportunities from the overly risky. They diligently observe things like technological advancements and consumer trends to pinpoint startups with solutions that aim to address unmet needs or significant inefficiencies. They also scrutinize a startup’s team and evaluate their expertise and resilience. A blend of market foresight, thorough analysis, and a focus on scalability help VCs navigate markets with lucrative investments.
However, the corridors of the VC industry predominantly echo the voices and visions of conventional entrepreneurs. Some of the top investment areas in 2023 have been gaming and media. VC firms are in contract with limited partners and general partners who set the investment criteria. Then the start-up must fit the boxes prescribed. The flaw in this is that disruption is outside of the box, landing those ideas often in the trash pile. I believe the models they follow tend to go in the opposite way of true disruption. This isn’t to say that unicorns don’t emerge and become household names, but it’s not as frequent as it perhaps could be.
Entrepreneurs might be surprised to learn this, but vocalizing a disruptive vision can sometimes result in receiving less funding — and sometimes no funding at all. Funding earmarked for groundbreaking ideas often ends up supporting ventures that adhere to more established norms, which can sideline pioneering entrepreneurs who aim to revolutionize industries. It’s understandable, as 90 percent of disruptive startups typically fail within their first year, according to a 2020 report by Startup Genome. Beyond that, venture capitalists often fail to analyze disruptive ideas without predisposition or bias, unsure of how to fund the truly disruptive.
This is the exact struggle Salesforce founder Marc Benioff had, and it’s something I also experienced when trying to secure funding for my company. I don’t expect VCs to be able to predict the future, and I do believe that disruptive companies are rare because, well, that’s what makes them disruptive. However, continuing to exclude disruption from the entrepreneurial narrative perpetuates a cycle of inequity within the ecosystem. It’s for these reasons that I became a self-funded entrepreneur.
Where Is Our Disruptive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem?
The absence of a disruptive ecosystem can further impede the growth and representation of diverse leadership. The startup and investment arenas struggle to embrace and nurture the wealth of ideas that emerge from different perspectives. Unconventional founders often find themselves navigating an uphill battle as venture capital tends to favor tried-and-tested businesses. Women-led businesses are 63 percent less likely to secure funding than those founded by men, according to 2020 INSEAD data, and while funding for Black-owned startups has increased, Black women only received 0.34 percent of total venture capital spending in 2021, Crunchbase reported.
Armed with advanced degrees and a family legacy of scientists and mathematicians, I encountered relentless challenges when starting my company in the emerging green tech space. If I had been building a company in the gaming industry, for example, or was seeking funding for a simple software platform or beauty product, I’m confident I would have received more immediate financial support. But if you don’t fit into the current VC-prescribed investment thesis, you don’t get funded.
Just like Salesforce is now a billion-dollar giant, I’ve grown my platform-as-a-service business for co-manufacturing into a successful organization helping to cultivate higher-wage jobs in marginalized communities while providing services and co-working space to green startups in predominantly Black areas. I wanted to make Miami more inclusive to bridge the gap between innovation and equitable opportunities, and that mission will carry to other cities and counties as we grow.
I realize some of my previous insights might sound a bit bleak, but I want to express my hope and excitement for the future of innovation. I believe entrepreneurs are finding creative ways to push inventions forward without initial VC investment, which leads to more ownership for founders as they grow.
To Evolve, Keep Your Voice and Vision
My career has been fraught with encounters that typify the challenges faced by disruptive entrepreneurs. Financial and real estate professionals did not understand my vision or industry at first, and that’s OK. Green tech isn’t an industry that most professionals are familiar with — although that is changing. However, when I built the first container homes in Miami Gardens and the first of its kind in affordable housing, the industry began to explode, and lots of funding followed for many developers.
When you rely on funding from others, it can often weaken your voice and vision, keeping your business from evolving. It’s important for any founder to maintain conviction in their vision. This is a testament to your resilience and belief in the transformative impact of your ideas. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community that believes in the power of diversity and unique perspectives is pivotal. Seek out mentors, peers, and allies who champion inclusivity so you can forge ahead with confidence and determination. Remember, the world needs a distinct lens through which you view challenges and opportunities.
Develop and Maintain Your Entrepreneurial Agency
Mastering your entrepreneurial destiny through self-funding isn’t merely a financial decision — it’s a statement of autonomy and empowerment. You steer the course of your venture, which can instill a profound sense of ownership. I believe you must prepare with humility but perform with confidence, and once you prove success, you will be surprised how investors begin to throw capital your way.
Self-funding also equips you with a comprehensive understanding of your venture’s financial intricacies. It’s an immersive experience that goes beyond monetary aspects, teaching valuable lessons in resourcefulness, strategic planning, and fiscal responsibility. Every dollar invested becomes a deliberate choice, fostering a lean and efficient operation. This hands-on approach to financial management cultivates a depth of knowledge that extends far beyond the immediate needs of your business, providing a solid foundation for sustainable growth and resilience in the face of challenges.
I quickly realized my destiny was in my hands, which empowered a self-confidence and resilience I might have otherwise neglected partnering with other VC investors. For innovative entrepreneurs, this realization serves as a catalyst to challenge norms, shatter barriers, and carve new paths forward.
Explore and Nurture Your Core Entrepreneurial Skills
Self-funding is an immersive learning experience that hones a spectrum of core entrepreneurial skills. It forces entrepreneurs to develop skills beyond the conventional realms of business. From resourcefulness and adaptability to resilience and innovation, self-funding cultivates a versatile skill set crucial for your success. The need to manage limited resources efficiently prompts creative problem-solving, pushing you to explore innovative solutions and unconventional pathways to growth.
An entrepreneur’s most important tool is discipline. You must discern to use the resources you have wisely because your discipline and allocation of resources will make all the difference to your success. As a diverse founder, I’ve found that people will waste as much of your time as you let them. I have learned the hard way to be careful of the tyranny of the urgent. Learn to say no, and set agendas for your day, week, month, and year.
Navigating the self-funding landscape nurtures an inherent understanding of risk management and strategic decision-making. Every choice carries weight, compelling a meticulous evaluation of opportunities and potential risks. This hands-on approach to risk assessment and mitigation becomes ingrained in your entrepreneurial toolkit, empowering you to make informed decisions while remaining agile in a dynamic market. Moreover, the ability to pivot and adapt strategies in response to challenges becomes second nature, ensuring your venture remains agile and resilient in the face of ever-evolving circumstances.
The time is ripe for a seismic shift toward a more disruptive entrepreneurial ecosystem. The call to action rests not just with entrepreneurs themselves but within the broader ecosystem. It demands a concerted effort to recalibrate the narrative, foster networks that champion new ideas, and institute structures that offer opportunities for all voices. Choosing the path of self-funding isn’t without its trials, yet it embodies a powerful assertion of control and purpose. This journey doesn’t just benefit individual entrepreneurs; it enriches the entrepreneurial landscape.
Self-funding will phase out when you develop a track record of success. You will be amazed how funders compete with each other for your business, so be patient and keep turning a profit. This is where the skills of negotiation and prudence really come in handy, as you now know your value and can negotiate fair terms.
At a recent two-day conference I taught to over 50 leaders in Amsterdam, we began with participants reading the ground rules. They expressed surprise at the fourth and most controversial rule of our collective engagement:
“Your phone, laptop, tablet, or other digital device must be switched off during the sessions. A phone ringing during a session will be considered disruptive, and we will ask you to put it away if you are using it during a session. There will be time during breaks for you to answer messages. All digital devices must be turned off, as they are disruptive to the learning of others. Please bring a paper and pen to take notes.”
This is guided by my belief that there are two types of thinking: flashlight thinking, which our screens pull us into, and floodlight thinking, where our transformational potential lies.
A Controversial Rule
I reassured participants that if they need to use their phone at any time, they can step outside the room.
“No judgment,” I shared. “I know that there is more to your life than this program. You may have a sick child, elderly parent, or struggling coworker who needs to reach you.”
Based on over 10 years of research I reviewed for my book Screened In: The Art of Living Free in the Digital Age, I cite studies that the mere presence of a phone or laptop in a learning environment obstructs genuine learning for three primary reasons.
A 2010 Stanford University study discovered that seeing a phone or laptop causes stress, as it’s a reminder of everything you still need to do.
It reduces your learning by damaging your cognitive capacity — even if it’s turned off.
Screens affect everyone present. Using your device — even if it’s just for taking notes — decreases the learning of the people around you. Hence, allowing screens into a learning environment should not be a collective decision.
You’ve Got to Be Kidding
After the usual incredulous glances around the room, the participants grudgingly settled in. Over the next two days, we engaged in countless screen-free discussions about leadership including how to manage anxiety and loneliness in oneself and one’s team members, work-life balance, and the role of gender in leadership.
Following the conference, I received many appreciative messages from participants. They especially emphasized the fourth ground rule. It was the “first step to rehab,” shared one leader.
“What a gift the past two days were,” another expressed. “A break from the everyday madness (and our devices) with inspiring sessions and encounters.”
From Flashlight to Floodlight
As an educator grappling with these issues every day, I must add another reason. An idea I derived from Alan Watts’ interpretation of Zen Buddhism, I consider there to be two types of thinking.
The first is what I call flashlight thinking. If you turn off all the lights in a room and shine a flashlight on the wall, you will see a small disk of light. This disk is your next email, text, meeting, phone call.
The other type of thinking I call floodlight thinking. If you again turn off the lights and this time place a floodlight on the floor, it will illuminate the entire wall. It is through this type of thinking that we see the entire picture, our holistic vision of whatever issue we are grappling with.
Our screens constantly pull us out of floodlight thinking and into flashlight thinking, yet it is floodlight thinking where our transformational potential lies. It enables us to access our deepest creativity and to view the same issue we’ve been looking at for months, perhaps even years, from a new angle — and maybe even make a breakthrough.
Just Presence
For educators and facilitators in our current age of distraction, just as important as having knowledge to share may be the ability to be fully present with their students, clients, or participants. Creating such an environment is virtually impossible (pun intended) unless it’s screen-free.
Educators are not the only ones tasked with staying present in the collective search for truth, which is crucial to a high-quality learning encounter. So is each and every student. Why?
A 2012 university study asked participants to pass people on the street while refusing to make eye contact or acknowledge them so they feel what is referred to in Germany as “wie Luft behandeln,” which means “to be looked at as though air.” The people they passed expressed a few minutes later that they felt more disconnected from society.
Each time we bring people together for a shared learning experience, it is incumbent on leaders to create a non-judgmental, accepting environment conducive to everyone being fully present and comfortable with the prospect of sharing professional and life challenges, dreams, and experiences.
If we are going to ask people to leave their phones at the door in the third millennium in exchange for learning, we can offer no less.
At a recent two-day conference I taught to over 50 leaders in Amsterdam, we began with participants reading the ground rules. They expressed surprise at the fourth and most controversial rule of our collective engagement:
“Your phone, laptop, tablet, or other digital device must be switched off during the sessions. A phone ringing during a session will be considered disruptive, and we will ask you to put it away if you are using it during a session. There will be time during breaks for you to answer messages. All digital devices must be turned off, as they are disruptive to the learning of others. Please bring a paper and pen to take notes.”
This is guided by my belief that there are two types of thinking: flashlight thinking, which our screens pull us into, and floodlight thinking, where our transformational potential lies.
A Controversial Rule
I reassured participants that if they need to use their phone at any time, they can step outside the room.
“No judgment,” I shared. “I know that there is more to your life than this program. You may have a sick child, elderly parent, or struggling coworker who needs to reach you.”
Based on over 10 years of research I reviewed for my book Screened In: The Art of Living Free in the Digital Age, I cite studies that the mere presence of a phone or laptop in a learning environment obstructs genuine learning for three primary reasons.
A 2010 Stanford University study discovered that seeing a phone or laptop causes stress, as it’s a reminder of everything you still need to do.
It reduces your learning by damaging your cognitive capacity — even if it’s turned off.
Screens affect everyone present. Using your device — even if it’s just for taking notes — decreases the learning of the people around you. Hence, allowing screens into a learning environment should not be a collective decision.
You’ve Got to Be Kidding
After the usual incredulous glances around the room, the participants grudgingly settled in. Over the next two days, we engaged in countless screen-free discussions about leadership including how to manage anxiety and loneliness in oneself and one’s team members, work-life balance, and the role of gender in leadership.
Following the conference, I received many appreciative messages from participants. They especially emphasized the fourth ground rule. It was the “first step to rehab,” shared one leader.
“What a gift the past two days were,” another expressed. “A break from the everyday madness (and our devices) with inspiring sessions and encounters.”
From Flashlight to Floodlight
As an educator grappling with these issues every day, I must add another reason. An idea I derived from Alan Watts’ interpretation of Zen Buddhism, I consider there to be two types of thinking.
The first is what I call flashlight thinking. If you turn off all the lights in a room and shine a flashlight on the wall, you will see a small disk of light. This disk is your next email, text, meeting, phone call.
The other type of thinking I call floodlight thinking. If you again turn off the lights and this time place a floodlight on the floor, it will illuminate the entire wall. It is through this type of thinking that we see the entire picture, our holistic vision of whatever issue we are grappling with.
Our screens constantly pull us out of floodlight thinking and into flashlight thinking, yet it is floodlight thinking where our transformational potential lies. It enables us to access our deepest creativity and to view the same issue we’ve been looking at for months, perhaps even years, from a new angle — and maybe even make a breakthrough.
Just Presence
For educators and facilitators in our current age of distraction, just as important as having knowledge to share may be the ability to be fully present with their students, clients, or participants. Creating such an environment is virtually impossible (pun intended) unless it’s screen-free.
Educators are not the only ones tasked with staying present in the collective search for truth, which is crucial to a high-quality learning encounter. So is each and every student. Why?
A 2012 university study asked participants to pass people on the street while refusing to make eye contact or acknowledge them so they feel what is referred to in Germany as “wie Luft behandeln,” which means “to be looked at as though air.” The people they passed expressed a few minutes later that they felt more disconnected from society.
Each time we bring people together for a shared learning experience, it is incumbent on leaders to create a non-judgmental, accepting environment conducive to everyone being fully present and comfortable with the prospect of sharing professional and life challenges, dreams, and experiences.
If we are going to ask people to leave their phones at the door in the third millennium in exchange for learning, we can offer no less.
We asked our 2024 Real Leaders Top Keynote Speakers what message resonates most with their audience. Here are a handful of their responses. Do you want to be included in the next list? Apply to be a Real Leaders Top Keynote Speaker here.
“Sometimes the most positive thing you can do is turn fear into fuel, frustration into focus, and failure into finishing strong. Love casts out fear, and the more you focus on love, fear will dissipate. So love the moment, love the battle, love the competition, love competing, love the struggle, and love the process. When you love it, fear will have no power over you, and love will fuel your success.” —Jon Gordon
“Whatever is happening right now, this is it. This is your life. You can’t change the past, but in 5 seconds, you can change your future. There is only one you. And there will never be another one. That’s your power.” —Mel Robbins
“People tell me that they’re worried people won’t like the ‘me’ they really want to be. Some love you, and they’re scared that you’re going to get hurt. Some are jealous and see a reflection of their own stagnation. Some say, ‘You can’t do that. That’s too scary,’ when what they really mean is, ‘I can’t do that. I’m too scared.’ Stop letting your ambition be held back by someone else’s lack of imagination.” —Laura Gassner Otting
“When it comes to solving the climate crisis, people ask me if I have hope. I don’t have hope — I have determination.” —Henk Rogers
“My journey in becoming a speaker and a leader comes from a certainty that I’ve always had that everything we need, everything our ancestors needed, and what our children will need, exists on planet Earth—and nowhere else. My purpose, and it takes courage, is to do everything within my power to restore and protect the ecosystems and biodiversity that provide what we all need to survive.” —Cristina Mittermeier
We asked our 2024 Real Leaders Top Keynote Speakers what message resonates most with their audience. Here are a handful of their responses. Do you want to be included in the next list? Apply to be a Real Leaders Top Keynote Speaker here.
“Sometimes the most positive thing you can do is turn fear into fuel, frustration into focus, and failure into finishing strong. Love casts out fear, and the more you focus on love, fear will dissipate. So love the moment, love the battle, love the competition, love competing, love the struggle, and love the process. When you love it, fear will have no power over you, and love will fuel your success.” —Jon Gordon
“Whatever is happening right now, this is it. This is your life. You can’t change the past, but in 5 seconds, you can change your future. There is only one you. And there will never be another one. That’s your power.” —Mel Robbins
“People tell me that they’re worried people won’t like the ‘me’ they really want to be. Some love you, and they’re scared that you’re going to get hurt. Some are jealous and see a reflection of their own stagnation. Some say, ‘You can’t do that. That’s too scary,’ when what they really mean is, ‘I can’t do that. I’m too scared.’ Stop letting your ambition be held back by someone else’s lack of imagination.” —Laura Gassner Otting
“When it comes to solving the climate crisis, people ask me if I have hope. I don’t have hope — I have determination.” —Henk Rogers
“My journey in becoming a speaker and a leader comes from a certainty that I’ve always had that everything we need, everything our ancestors needed, and what our children will need, exists on planet Earth—and nowhere else. My purpose, and it takes courage, is to do everything within my power to restore and protect the ecosystems and biodiversity that provide what we all need to survive.” —Cristina Mittermeier
Veteran journalist Bo Burlingham takes readers inside 14 companies that rejected the pressure of endless growth to focus on more satisfying business goals. Burlingham shows how the leaders of these small giants recognized their full range of choices and how we can all benefit by questioning the usual definitions of business success.
Business owner, motivational coach, and speaker Jen Sincero’s self-development book uses humor, irreverence, and the occasional curse word to help others transform their mindsets and lives.
—Recommended by Sara Jensen, Co-CEO and co-founder, Hugh & Grace
Optimist Simon Sinek, a repeat Real Leaders Top 50 Keynote Speaker, shows that the leaders who have had the greatest influence in the world all think, act, and communicate in the same way — and it all starts with “why.”
Psychologist Gay Hendricks demonstrates how to go beyond your internal limits, release outdated fears, and learn a new set of skills and habits to take your life to the next level.
—Recommended by Natalie Nichols, co-founder, Concertina Team Services
Yvon Chouinard — climber, businessman, environmentalist, and founder of Patagonia — shares the persistence and courage that have gone into being head of one of the most respected and environmentally responsible companies on earth.
—Recommended by Michael Stausholm, CEO and founder, SproutWorld
MIT professor Peter M. Senge unpacks the art and practice of building learning organizations — corporations that overcome inherent obstacles to learning and develop dynamic ways to pinpoint the threats that face them and to recognize new opportunities.
—Recommended by Steve Bilt, CEO and co-founder, Smile Brands
Management consultant Peter Drucker dives into strategies to turn the threat of rapid change into productive, profitable action that contributes positively to society, the economy, and the individual.
—Recommended by Matt Armanino, CEO and managing partner, Armanino
Veteran journalist Bo Burlingham takes readers inside 14 companies that rejected the pressure of endless growth to focus on more satisfying business goals. Burlingham shows how the leaders of these small giants recognized their full range of choices and how we can all benefit by questioning the usual definitions of business success.
Business owner, motivational coach, and speaker Jen Sincero’s self-development book uses humor, irreverence, and the occasional curse word to help others transform their mindsets and lives.
—Recommended by Sara Jensen, Co-CEO and co-founder, Hugh & Grace
Optimist Simon Sinek, a repeat Real Leaders Top 50 Keynote Speaker, shows that the leaders who have had the greatest influence in the world all think, act, and communicate in the same way — and it all starts with “why.”
Psychologist Gay Hendricks demonstrates how to go beyond your internal limits, release outdated fears, and learn a new set of skills and habits to take your life to the next level.
—Recommended by Natalie Nichols, co-founder, Concertina Team Services
Yvon Chouinard — climber, businessman, environmentalist, and founder of Patagonia — shares the persistence and courage that have gone into being head of one of the most respected and environmentally responsible companies on earth.
—Recommended by Michael Stausholm, CEO and founder, SproutWorld
MIT professor Peter M. Senge unpacks the art and practice of building learning organizations — corporations that overcome inherent obstacles to learning and develop dynamic ways to pinpoint the threats that face them and to recognize new opportunities.
—Recommended by Steve Bilt, CEO and co-founder, Smile Brands
Management consultant Peter Drucker dives into strategies to turn the threat of rapid change into productive, profitable action that contributes positively to society, the economy, and the individual.
—Recommended by Matt Armanino, CEO and managing partner, Armanino
