There are many leadership lessons that are learned through living life to the fullest, and that is exactly what Bob Goff has taught me through living his life that way, every single day. Love Does by Bob Goff is an excellent read full of inspirational stories. Bob is an excellent storyteller, completely transparent, and has obviously lived a life full of excitement and adventure. Through reading the book, there are several things I learned about leadership, just by reading Bob’s stories. I enjoyed how he uses life lessons to deliver a message that desperately needs to be heard.
“I used to think knowing God was like going on a business trip with Him, but now I know He’s inviting me on an adventure instead.”
Leaders are spontaneous adventurers.
The whole book is filled with stories of Bob’s childhood, college years, and adult life, in no particular order. I will try not to spoil it for you, but in one particular adventure he took his kids on a world tour to eat ice cream with leaders of other nations. I hope to be able to take my own kids on spontaneous adventures similar to this. Even if we don’t cross the ocean, I look forward to those last minute decisions that cause us to pack up and just leave.
“I used to think I needed an invitation to get into most places, but now I know I’m already invited.”
Leaders are great storytellers.
There is a reason this book became a New York Times Bestseller. Bob does an excellent job of portraying every story. He paints a picture so vivid that it brings you into his life at the time. He does this to create an image to best deliver the message which is portrayed in scripture. Except, he doesn’t have to use scripture to get the message out. If there is one sure way for a leader to get their message across, it is to put it into a story, people will relate to stories.
“I used to think God guided us by opening and closing doors, but now I know sometimes God wants us to kick some doors down.”
Leaders are transparent.
I don’t believe that any of the stories of Bob’s life are made up or even exaggerated. He simply tells us about some of the crazy and exciting things that have happened to him throughout life, and the events that eventually shaped his legacy.
“I used to be afraid that if I was authentic I might take a hit, but now I know that being real means I will take a hit.”
Leaders put the best interests of others first.
Bob is the founder and CEO of Restore International, a non-profit dedicated to securing a better future for the children of war-torn Uganda. These are not his own kids, or even those of close friends or relatives. They live in Uganda, thousands of miles away. Bob found an outlet for his creativity and talent, and is using what God gave him to make an impact not only on the local community, but in the lives of those who desperately need it the most.
“I used to think being loved was the greatest thing to think about, but now I know love is never satisfied just thinking about it.”
Love Does.
Love isn’t meant to be talked about, or dreamt about; it requires action. That is what Restore International and this book is all about. Taking action. “God usually chooses ordinary people like us to get things done.”
What will you focus on this year to put love into action and impact the lives of those who need it?
Photo Credit: Michelle Brea via Compfight cc
[box]We recently teamed up with Bob Goff and his organization Restore International to build a school in Gulu, Uganda. Click here to find out more information on how to make this a reality.[/box]
