Seeking Big Thinkers and Trailblazers!

I’ve always considered myself different from my peers – always. Not in a weird way, but more intense, more driven, more focused. I used to tell everyone that I should have gone into the military after college instead of education. In my mind, military personnel seem to have those traits, and I’ve always thought I’d fit in as a Navy SEAL or a fighter pilot.

The Gallup Corporation has a survey called Strengthsfinder. After taking it, you’re given words that describe you. Mine are: Achiever, Competition, Focus, Ideation, and Relator. To sum it up: I like getting things done, I want to be the best, and I love working. That’s me—no doubt about it!

I’ve also always had this entrepreneurial side. I want to see around corners, explore the grey areas, and take calculated risks. That doesn’t always align with education. I used to drive my supervisors crazy with unorthodox ideas about how to spend my budget. I loved playing in the grey areas, but it was usually frowned upon.

Marcus Buckingham, who was with Gallup, has another survey called StandOut. It shows your top two roles in an organization. Mine are Pioneer and Influencer. Again, not the perfect match for the education sector. That said, I did manage to create some amazing trips to Silicon Valley that led to innovative initiatives. Those trips gave me energy and helped feed my creative side, but they only happened every few years.

I’m an avid reader of non-fiction—mainly leadership and self-help books. Honestly, I bet I’ve read most of what’s out there in these genres. And every single one of them is for the business world or written by military leaders.

Since retiring, I’ve lost my group of educational leadership friends because most of them are still working in the system. I’m now a business owner, trying to find a new tribe. Education had so many rules and regulations that kept me boxed in, but now I’m living in the business world, where just about anything is possible with the right connections and thinking. I’ve been hooked on the My First Million podcast and would love to find a group like Hampton.

What I’m Looking For:

• People who thrive on big ideas, calculated risks, and innovation.

• A group or network that values focus, intensity, and getting things done.

• Conversations that challenge me and push boundaries in business, leadership, or entrepreneurship.

• Big thinkers/collaborators for brainstorming, accountability, or building something great.

If any of this sounds like you—or the kind of group you’re part of—reach out. Let’s connect, exchange ideas, or even grab a coffee (or virtual coffee) to see where it goes.

Let’s create something incredible together.