Discover Your Boundaries
Part 2

     In our last newsletter, we introduced the concept of leaders who must discover their boundaries and determine if they are limited or broad. We discussed one-eyed wonders who close off their peripheral vision, often unintentionally, and we discussed how leaders can shed their blinders to capitalize on their talents. Now, we will consider the opposite side of the spectrum, the full-vision adventurers who imagine a world without limits. In the early 17th century, the English used the word adventurers as synonymous for investors in new ventures and companies. Let's first consider an example from the world of professional sports—a competitive arena that clearly identifies champions. This individual accomplished feats beyond commonly accepted expectations because she had the vision to start and persist in the adventure.

     Tennis champion Martina Navratilova won 59 Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles—including a record nine singles championships at Wimbledon. Recently featured in USA Today, Navratilova never finished high school, started to play tennis on the world circuit as a teenager who spoke little English, defected from her native Czechoslovakia to the United States at age 18, and relied on her natural talent to succeed. In her mid-twenties, after her coach pointed out to her that time was running out for her tennis career, Navratilova said “I had a ‘eureka!’ moment. I didn’t realize that I was coasting so much.”

     Sometimes it takes straight-talk from someone you respect to advance the boundaries you set for yourself. In the case of this tennis champion, advice from a mentor—together with the recognition that more effort and an integrated approach to her career, health, and life would lead to longer term success—came at a receptive moment.

     Navratilova explains, “‘Whatever your limitations might be, don’t let them define you,' recalling the skepticism she faced from her own father when she entered her first tournament. ‘I was just going to keep going until I got everything out of myself.’” Even at age fifty, she competed this year at the U.S. Open where she won mixed doubles. This adventurer decided her goal and focused her determination to become one of the best, healthiest, and enduring success stories in her field. No one can determine what boundaries you have placed on yourself. Everyone has a story of how he or she overcame a difficult time to create the success desired and often inspire others.

     Leadership examples of full-vision adventurers abound in the business world. Recently, I met a Saudi Arabian leader during my trip to Dubai who believed in the importance of saving a life. Seeing the needs in the Middle Eastern countries and following his beliefs, he decided several years ago to start a health care business to save lives. He articulates his vision, even putting it on his business card: “To design, finance, construct and operate 30 world-class hospitals and create 50,000 jobs by the year 2015. To be the dominant regional player in the private medical education by establishing 5 medical colleges by the year 2010.” Through immense effort and overcoming many obstacles, he and his team have established hospitals in Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah, Aseer, Hail Sana’a, Dubai, and Cairo. Creating 30,000 jobs in the process, he is well on his way to accomplishing his life goal.

     This leader openly shares his revelation, enthusiasm, and the strategies he uses. One of his inspirations was a book he read many years ago, called Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill. After our recent discussion, I read this book, first published seventy years ago. The thirteen lessons based on secrets from Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, and others are quite apt for the 21st century. A FISO Factor® leader imagines the broad range of opportunities, determines his or her dream, and perseveres to make it happen.

© 2006 Blythe McGarvie
1-757-345-3595
bmcgarvie@LIFgroup.com