leadership Archives - Page 9 of 12

✏ Leadership GPS

Imagine if we all had our own personal “Leadership GPS” to carry with us to navigate every situation. Just a simple visual or voice prompt to guide us to the right decisions. All we would have to do is wake up, turn it on, and start our day.

Back to reality…none of us have a Leadership GPS, and likely won’t for a long while. However, we do have an internal voice — a force within all of us that can guide our decisions.

The question is, are you using it?

“There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen.”

– Rumi

GPS PROMPT: WHERE AM I?

Just as when we get in the car and begin to program our destination into the GPS, we also need to do the same to ourselves. It’s called SELF-EVALUATION. You need to be humble enough to know exactly who you are. Identify exactly what you are good at and what you aren’t good at. Capitalize on your strengths, and find the time to build your abilities where you have weakness.

Put your ego aside, be honest, and begin your plan of action to execute.

GPS PROMPT: HOW FAR TO DESTINATION?

You will need a map to navigate this journey and achieve the successful outcome that you are capable of.

Let’s begin the journey; in this case, we will define that “journey” as a major business objective that you are responsible for leading. Just like with a long trip, you wouldn’t go into it without preparation. The same holds true for leadership. You will need a specific plan, with identified roles and responsibilities, analytics, clarification of goals and the definition of success.

Use S.M.A.R.T. goals to create your plan: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time frame.

GPS PROMPT: QUICKEST ROUTE?

We all catch ourselves checking the GPS to see how much longer until we arrive. Applying this concept to leadership is the most concerning to me. Just like in a car, leaders are in a rush to arrive at their destination. Leadership is an earned trust, and anything earned requires time. The journey toward being an effective leader cannot occur without time and EXPERIENCE.

If you rush the process, you have cheated yourself and those who are following you.

GPS PROMPT: TRAFFIC AHEAD?

Translate this to leadership and it’s called ADVERSITY. How will you respond? Most people stay within their comfort zone, relying on the excuse of “this is how we have always done it.” Success is not complicated, but it is difficult. It means you need to have the courage to take risks knowing that you may fail. That is a bold statement, but those who can maneuver around the excuses and/or fear are the ones who succeed in the long run.

The best way to prepare for adversity is to be prepared and have alternate plans. Option A doesn’t always work, so you need to be prepared with Plans B and C along the way.

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as
what you become by achieving your goals.”

– Henry David Thoreau

GPS PROMPT: CHANGE ROUTE?

This ties in with SELF-EVALUATION; are you humble enough to recognize that your plan may not be the best option to get you to the point established as the end goal? Have you earned the respect from those around you for open dialogue? We all are driven to be successful, and as a leader, we understand that the wins and losses fall upon us.

However, change your mindset and the results can be different. If you have empowered others to do what’s right, as opposed to doing what’s easy, you are an effective leader. Listen to those who can offer guidance and solutions, and you will earn just as much respect as if you did it all yourself.

VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER

Humbled to lead,

#chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #patience #change #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower #motivate #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humilty

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©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.

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► Gratitude Again

Gratitude. What does this increasingly trendy word really mean, especially in a leadership setting? Victor breaks it down, and explains why it’s so easy — and dangerous — to let gratitude slide, in this week’s Power Cast episode.

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✏ Power Planning: A Mt. Everest Kind of Sunday

Is climbing Mount Everest on your bucket list? If so, is your plan to book your flight, make the 22-hour trip to Nepal, show up and simply hike up the 31,000-ft. ascent to the top of the 60-million-year-old mountain? Of course not — you will first invest your time and effort in carefully constructing a detailed plan. A few facts to consider as you plan this expedition: it will cost you ~$75,000, you’re going to need an experienced ‘Sherpa’ to assist you in putting the logistics together for the 60-day hike and help guide you; be prepared, maximum wind speeds of 200 MPH and temperatures – 76°.

A bit of an extreme example, but I wanted to illustrate a point — challenges require extreme thought and planning to produce successful results. As life continues to increase in speed each year of my professional life, and the challenges and responsibilities increase, I understand that change is inevitable and constant. Never get too comfortable with any routine in your life or career because the competition for market share pushes companies and their staffs to the brink to be an innovator vs. a follower. However, there is one constant over the past 25+ years in my routine that has not changed, and that is spending an hour or so each Sunday evening on my weekly planning.

The power of weekly planning lies in the perspective and control it provides for your life; it allows you a clear path that puts you in a position to be proactive, rather than reactive as the distractions of work and life come at you from all directions. It also eliminates stress, makes you better-prepared for unexpected obstacles and allows you to evaluate your progress. For even the most talented people, time management is demanding, and planning is the most important part of the formula. By spending a small chunk of time without distraction, you can created a powerful weekly action plan to be your compass in efficiency and effectiveness as you navigate the week.

So how do you start? I’ll walk you through the routine I follow. Remember, this is an activity that is based on your personality. Some require specific action plans to accompany their weekly plan, while others work efficiently and simply create a brief road map to ensure they have their priorities in order. Here is how I structure my personal plan:

Data dump. The first thing I do is grab a pen and paper and do what I call a “data dump”. I review the previous week — did I accomplished the items I set as priority? Then, I’ll write down everything I can think of that needs attention, both business and personal, for the upcoming week.
Prioritize. I use a numerical system to prioritize the tasks. It’s simple: 1 for high priority, 2 for moderate and 3 for a task that is low in priority. It’s important to note: always put the big tasks first, those that will require the most time need to be the highest priority. The smaller tasks will fall into place after that.
Time. I review each task and assign the amount of time I estimate it will take to execute. Times can range from 5-10 minutes, or as high as 6-8 hours; either way it is critical that you overestimate rather than underestimate.
Deadline. Assign a deadline for each task. Some may fall within that given week, others may be long-term — but I know that there are specific tasks that need to be completed in phases to meet the end goal.
Resources. Evaluate each assignment and determine if the task is mine, or if it will require the attention of others. If it demands input, resources or feedback from others, I highlight it and note which individuals (by name and/or departments) will contribute.
Personal obligations. I make a separate list which includes personal or family obligations. Bottom line: you must make time for you and your family to live a balanced, successful life.
Build it. Create your weekly planner. First fill in all your personal obligations, then follow by filling the time slots with the tasks based on rank. Finally, structure it using the estimated time you have predetermined in the slots listed.

There is a caveat to all this…even the best-laid plans need adjusting. That’s why daily planning is also critical in the process. At the end of each day, I review that respective day and my week ahead and may have to adjust as needed. While I try to avoid making changes to my high-priority items, I may move around other tasks or push them if the deadline is not necessarily near because of an unexpected task that hits. Don’t be disappointed or feel as if the plan is not an effective tool. Your planner serves as a best-case scenario. However, if you make the planning sessions a habit, after time, you will be a much better judge of your time and find yourself with more motivation, direction and peace in your life.

Bottom line: if you fail to plan, then plan to fail . . .

VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER

Humbled to lead,

#chargeup #lessonsinleadership #planning #makeaplan #leadership #process #success #moveforward #patience #change #venture #lead #prosper #empower #motivate #inspire #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humilty

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► A Champion’s Mindset

In this special podcast, Victor shares lessons from some of his most valued mentors — those who taught him what it takes to succeed both on and off the field. Don’t miss these great insights on how the strategies for winning the game can help you win at life as well.

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✏ Control the Controllables

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
— The Serenity Prayer

Were there truer words ever spoken? Reading it, you wonder why it’s so difficult to simply live life like this. Four sentences that have the power to inspire you to live the life you were meant to live! In a perfect world, this would be all you need to hear.

BUT . . . THE WORLD IS NOT PERFECT.

In fact, the only thing certain in this world is uncertainty. When we spend time complaining about the things we cannot control, all we are doing is taking the energy and attention away from what we need to be focused on. Life is stressful enough; why add to it?

5 THINGS YOU CAN’T CONTROL:

What others feel, say, do, or think
The past or the future
Loyalty
Conflict
Most of life . . .

Quit fighting change – EMBRACE CHANGE. The first way to accomplish that is to practice acceptance. It can provide you so many benefits in your life, including a positive attitude, greater appreciation, gratitude, and a better perspective. Your attitude toward life is affected by your ability to EMBRACE CHANGE.

Change will happen…the question is, will it leave you behind?

“The world still is the samel you’ll never change it,
As sure as the star shines above . . .”

– “You’re Nobody till Somebody Loves You”
written by Larry Stock

Everybody has certain challenges, lessons and constraints. Approach them wisely, and you can still be bold. You just need to know your limits and that includes the things you cannot control. Look for possibilities, and challenge yourself to think outside the boundaries.

By simply controlling two things — your effort and attitude — you can accomplish more than all the other things you cannot control. The strength is in attitude: once you accept and move past change, you have the ability to find peace in your life.

Acceptance will result in gratitude. Gratitude will make you see things differently. That’s freedom.

5 THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL:

Your INTEGRITY
Your CHARACTER
Your PASSION
Your DRIVE
Your GOALS

Controlling the controllables requires discipline, and you will experience a lot of trial and error. But when you master the art, there will be a tremendous weight lifted off your shoulders, along with renewed inspiration and excitement to push yourself further in accomplishing your goals.

Leadership is a privilege. Make a difference today.

VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER

Humbled to lead,

#chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #fail #learnfromfailure #bounceback #failure #success #moveforward #patience #change #venture #lead #prosper #empower #motivate #inspire #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humilty #control #notcontrrol

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► Leadership: Pay It Forward

Someone helped you get where you are — now it’s time that you do the same. But to really make an impact, you need to think outside the box, and explore opportunities beyond workplace mentorship. Which ones and how? It’s all here in this episode of the Power Cast, Pay It Forward, available right now!

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✏ The Art of Listening

“I heard you the first time!” Sound familiar? This is the battle cry from kids when you’re trying to get them to complete a task. I give the kids credit, though; they aren’t saying, “I listened the first time!” It proves the point that there is a difference between listening and hearing. We wouldn’t have to tell them more than once if they were listening.

Most of us have the ability to hear, but do we really listen? Often, we tune out because we either don’t agree with what’s being said, or miss out because we are already thinking about what we want to say next.

“Leaders who don’t listen will eventually be surrounded by
people who have nothing to say.”
– Andy Stanley

Did you know:

We spend an average of 55% of the day engaged in listening, and 70% in talking
Most people only remember 17-25% of the things they heard in a given day
The average woman speaks 20,000 words per day vs. 7,000 for the male counterpart
To be fair, it is a fact that men only use half their brain to listen while women use the entire brain

To be an effective leader, listening is a critical skill. You cannot do everything yourself, so empowering others becomes your resource for information. You may have an opinion, and one that serves the conversation, but interruption only causes frustration and wasted time. Listen with intent, respect and curiosity — or you may miss that one great thought due to your impatience.

Follow up by saying, “What I’m hearing you say is…”. This is where miscommunication is discovered.

How can you become a more effective listener?

Don’t interrupt. We are far too eager to interject our opinions. The other person isn’t halfway done, and we have either interrupted or have zoned them out so we can construct our reply. Try instead to just listen: focus their words, and after they have completed their thought, allow a pause to gather your thoughts. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but if everyone in the conversation practices this habit, the dialogue will be improved and the content will be constructive and beneficial. Additionally, if you are actively listening to others, they will learn how to actively listen to you.

Make eye contact. Seems simple, but the skill we were all taught as children has become a lost art. Engaging with someone eye-to-eye is a form of respect. It tells the other person that they have your attention. Some say to never trust a person who can’t look you in the eyes when you talk, or when they talk to you. If that’s true, we have a problem.

No distractions. Our phones, computers, other people and paperwork can cause us to multi-task rather than listen. The distractions are all around us, and that results in ineffective communication. If one takes the time to personally talk with you, rather than sending an email or text, show them they are valued by putting distractions on hold long enough to solve the situation at hand. Put your mobile phone face down, so you’re not tempted to look at it, or better yet, completely out of sight.

Have an open mind. In most cases, we either interrupt or are already processing our response during a dialogue. We do this because we feel as if we must defend our point of view like Custer’s last stand. Relax, listen, and process what the other person is saying without a preconceived opinion. It’s a discussion, not a debate. It’s a win-win situation; the conversation becomes more efficient and the possibilities to discover new ideas are endless. And as a bonus, you earn respect.

Create dialogue. Allow the dialogue to flow in an effort to find resolve, discover strategy, encourage creativity or simply hear someone out. Engage in a productive dialogue and in most cases, you will find it to be both effective and efficient.

You will immediately recognize the impact listening has when you see the trust and respect gained by those you talk with. Human interaction is the key to building trust, and it is through the rapport we have in a one-on-one setting that matters most. When you don’t listen, people stop talking. And when you lose communication, you lose control.

My father always told me, “God gave you two ears and one mouth; you should listen twice as much as you talk.” He was right — you can learn a lot when you listen, and really hear!

Leadership is a privilege. Make a difference today.

VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER

Humbled to lead,

#listen #hear #chargeup #chargeuptoday #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #patience #leadershipjourney #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #adversity #areyouready #leadandfollow #mentorship #mentor #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower

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► Negativity: A Problem for Every Solution

Negativity. It’s abundant, and it smothers joy and gratitude. In this episode of the Power Cast, Victor lays out the downside of downers, how to deal with them and 5 concrete ways that you can be the change in an increasingly negative world. Check out Some People Have a Problem for Every Solution right now!

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✏ Loyalty: Employees Quit Bosses, Not Leaders

Do you think poor leadership has an effect on team performance?

ABSOLUTELY. YOU CAN’T CREATE GREAT FOLLOWERS UNDER POOR LEADERSHIP.

In today’s business environment, being a leader isn’t simply a job title. One must have the ability to motivate and inspire a team to empower them to deliver the company goals, and do so in an engaging spirit.

A Gallup poll of more 1 million employed U.S. workers concluded that the No. 1 reason people quit their jobs is a bad boss or immediate supervisor. 75% of workers who voluntarily left their jobs did so because of their boss — not the position or company itself. In spite of how good a job may be, people will quit if the relationship is not healthy. “People leave managers not companies…in the end, turnover is mostly a manager issue.”

We often talk about the differences between a “boss” and a “leader”. It’s a simple way to distinguish the difference in a definition that has changed dramatically over the years, as more studies point to the success of what traits make great leaders.

For years, many individuals in a position of power abused their role through a lack of integrity, sensitivity, honesty and inspiration. A key trait that is absent in poor leadership is empathy. In order to be an effective leader, you have to respect the relationship, and have a genuine understanding of the roles and responsibilities of your team members.

Your job is to support, encourage and inspire. I have said numerous times in my blog posts, LEADERSHIP IS A PRIVILEGE. You are tasked with a tremendous responsibility — one that goes beyond your own self-development.

If you don’t truly understand the requirements and expectations, then maybe leadership isn’t for you. The problem is, too many people have an ego that doesn’t allow them to step away, or they don’t have a mentor showing them how to be a good leader.

A great phrase most of us have heard is “loyalty breeds loyalty”. In order for a leader to receive loyalty, you must first give it. YOU are the example of leadership in everything you do. If you demonstrate commitment, you will gain it back in return. If you demonstrate integrity, you will gain it back in return. If you demonstrate character, you will gain it back in return.

It starts with leaders who understand that to get loyalty from others, you must first give it. Leaders who take the initiative in demonstrating commitment to their teams are far more successful in gaining commitment in return. If you have their back, they will have yours.

“Strong leaders won’t create followers; they create more leaders.”

A strong leader provides empowerment and allows their employees to grow. They serve as a mentor, with a shared goal of watching you succeed. By contrast, a poor leader will hold you back professionally, developmentally — and will create an atmosphere that lacks challenge, encouragement and personal gain.

Let’s be realistic, no leader is perfect. Each will have their own strengths and weaknesses; however, effective leaders have the self-awareness to identify areas for improvement and are dedicated to constantly growing.

Good management takes effort and experience, but it’s really pretty straightforward. It does require a tremendous amount of work, and with that comes a dedication to craft your team toward success. That’s the reward though, watching those under your mentorship succeed on their own.

Bottom line, don’t take your employees for granted; they’re the most valuable asset you have.

VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER

Humbled to lead,

#boss #bossorleader #chargeup #chargeuptoday #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #patience #leadershipjourney #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #adversity #areyouready #leadandfollow #mentorship #mentor #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower

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► An Attitude of Gratitude

It’s a crazy world, but there are more things to be grateful about than stressed over. Here’s how changing your daily routine to start with gratitude can change everything. Check out “An Attitude of Gratitude” right now!

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✏ An Attitude of Gratitude

For most of us, regardless of what time our day starts, after we turn off the alarm our minds begin to process all of the necessary tasks for that particular day. It’s very similar to that of a car engine warming up.

You visualize what the priorities are, what you are behind on, the meetings planned for the day, the emails you still need to reply to, the phone calls you need to return, not to mention the projects you have put off at home. All of this hits you before the shower water even gets hot!

You want to change that routine of stress? There is a recourse to this habit; one that doesn’t take a book, a course, or even a 10-step program. It’s as simple as one word – GRATITUDE. Imagine changing your routine and starting each day with a commitment to only 5 minutes of thinking about the things you are grateful for.

“Gratitude is the single most important ingredient
to living a successful and fulfilled life.”
– Jack Canfield

To be genuinely grateful, one must have a high quality of thankfulness. All I have to say to you is look around — there is so much to be thankful for. Unfortunately we stay stuck either in the high gears of life, or downshifting to catch up. Why not stay in first gear and just coast for a few minutes, and come to the realization that YOU are in an incredibly rewarding role as a leader? YOU get to make a difference in the lives of people you lead every day. You have been provided a privilege, one that you should never take for granted.

Commit to five minutes in your morning routine to simply identify five things that you are grateful for at that particular time. It will be easy for a few weeks, but I challenge you not to repeat yourself. Granted, being thankful for things like an incredible partner, healthy and loving children, and a supportive network of family and friends will always be on this list. But the real thought will come once you get outside that box. That’s why I used the word “commit” when I suggested changing your morning routine.

“Gratitude changes everything . . .”

I personally have a list where I write these things down; I call it my “gratitude catalog”. It’s amazing what looking at a word document filled with line after line of months’ worth of gratitude entries can do to shift one’s perspective. If you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, if you know you’re about to enter a day filled with pressure and high expectations, being able to remind yourself that the blessings of life surround you immediately changes your mindset. It’s just in our DNA – see positive, think positive, act positive.

30 things you can choose to be grateful for now:

* excluding partner, children, family and friends . . .

Waking up (the obvious first!)
Past, present and future (your life)
Education
Mentors
Good health
Career
Ability to make choices
Lessons learned
Each day is a new chance to begin again
Freedom
The ability to go anywhere at anytime
Laughter
Love
Tears
Forgiveness
Having a passion
The generosity of others
Respect
Weekends
Values
Memories
Music
Nature
The small pleasures of life all around us
The Internet
The setbacks that make a person stronger
Volunteering
Pets
Good conversations
YOU

Sometimes it’s tough to find the find the bright side of things because of the enormous amount of challenges we face each day. However, remember that no matter how bad your situation may seem, there are more things to be grateful for in life than there are problems. Realize how amazing your life is — and start with YOU!

VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER

Humbled to lead,

#chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #success #moveforward #patience #attitude #gratitude #commit #fiveminutes #gratitudeissuccess

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► Corporate Culture

Too many companies confuse a mission statement with company culture. True culture is planted with the seeds of values, personalities and success – and it requires patience to take root. So how do you cultivate a flourishing environment? Find out in this episode of Power Cast, Corporate Culture.

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✏ The Intersection of Skill and Will

“The will must be stronger than the skill.”
– Muhammad Ali

Within successful business paradigms lie vast resources for leaders to assess employees. There are simple ratings based tools, objectives-based evaluations, and the 360° approach, just to name a few. We then jump into specific performance systems that all are “scientifically” proven to be effective.

Let’s focus on one – the Skill vs. Will Matrix. I call it the “Intersection of Skill vs. Will” because those four quadrants that seem so simple to use can become extremely frustrating to manage and assess performance, motivation and skill. And just where does leadership enter the equation? By taking an objective approach to studying the situation, and including yourself as a part of the evaluation.

WILL

When we talk about WILL, we are basically looking at the attitude of person and the positive motivation around the achievement of an objective. The difference between having a strong will vs. a weak will in most cases is centered around both willpower and self-discipline.

You must have the will to succeed. However, it will require a perseverance to relentlessly hone your craft, or in this case, your skill. As a leader, when evaluating your team, you must have a firm understanding of this concept if you want to provide both a fair and balanced assessment, as well as a collaborative work environment.

SKILL

What about SKILL? For this one, simply think about the technical ability to execute the functions of the objective. It is going to include traits such as experience, training, knowledge and natural talents. As an example, when we talk about a “skilled laborer”, we know that they excel within a defined skill set.

WILL VS. SKILL

Combine the two – SKILL and WILL – and you will find a true litmus test for leaders trying to develop an effective team while evaluating autonomy, guidance, authority, direction and goals. I don’t want to get scientific or elaborate too much, but the issue you face is how can you, as a leader, ensure that there is an adequate amount of:

Training
Education
Positive attitude
Attention to detail
Readily available resources
Effective communication

My point is, it takes more than a title and enthusiasm to lead a successful team.

You will be tested at times to dig deep and evaluate. In most cases, the devil will be in the details. In that evaluation, you must be both fair and objective in the criticism and/or decisions you may face. Look within yourself and honestly consider if you have fulfilled your commitments.

You will have to direct your attentions toward guidance, direction, delegation and inspiration to find the perfect balance. In some cases, you will need to challenge yourself to make the decision to possibly eliminate a team member if you don’t see a positive contribution to the overall objective.

Skill vs. will — simple, right?

Think again!

VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER

Humbled to lead,

#chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #skill #will #skillvswill

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► A Tribute to Legacy

Dad, you continue to be my moral compass, providing me the inspiration and drive to carry on your legacy of kindness, gratitude, integrity and servant leadership. Charge Up is for you; I know you would be proud.

Happy Birthday . . .

Vic L. Pisano
November 8, 1934 – April 30, 2017

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✏ The Gift That Keeps on Giving

A tribute to my father and inspiration: Vic Pisano, Sr.

November 8, 1924 – April 30, 2017

Vic Pisano, Sr.

Today is for you, Dad! Happy Birthday…

For as long as I can remember, my father always enjoyed his birthday. He would talk about it weeks in advance to remind us, expressing the importance that we go all out and buy him very nice gifts and celebrate at a fancy restaurant. He said we owed him for all the birthdays he spoiled us as kids.

The reality was he didn’t care about the gifts or the fancy restaurant; he was happy with anything as long as it was with family. That was kind of man my father was; family always came first.

Simply put, Vic was an amazing man.

He was what some would call “old-fashioned”, and was a friend to everyone he met. He believed in a handshake and a man’s word. He worked hard, earned his success and helped those in need. He was strong in his faith and knew he would celebrate the day when the Lord took him. He was brave, courageous and full of humility. If he called you friend, you could count on him.

Simply put, Vic was an amazing man.

There were so many lessons he taught us, but what always came first was the importance of family. I have so many distinct memories of my life spent with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. So many of those people from my childhood have passed, but the memories are so vivid. As a child, we spent every Sunday having lunch with my grandparents and the extended family would come in and out of their home as if it were an open house.

There was always a table full of food, wine, beautiful stories, and laughter. When my grandparents passed away, we were fortunate that my father, uncle, and aunt, inherited their love for family by carrying on the traditions of spending every Sunday together as a family, which I now do with my own children.

The saddest thing about losing my father is that he died on a Sunday. I didn’t get to sit at a table full of food, wine, beautiful stories, and smiles. That Sunday would be so different from all of the others. And though it breaks my heart that I didn’t get one last Sunday to tell him I loved him, I know that his Sunday dinner that day was the most incredible and beautiful one of all, more than he or us could ever imagine.

I imagine his first Sunday in heaven was filled with family and friends from years past with tables filled with food, wine, wonderful stories, and smiles. There were hugs, kisses and more love at his dinner table than we as a family could ever provide because he was at the Lord’s table.

I know he looked down on us as we mourned, but in my heart, I felt as if he was telling each one of his children…it’s your turn to carry on. He had taught us so many lessons over the years, and God had the confidence in us that we were prepared and ready to live life without him.

Now that I have accepted the role of continuing the traditions that my dad, my grandparents, and generations before them had celebrated, it’s my turn to teach my own children how important family is. It’s my turn to honor him.

“A father should be his son’s first hero . . .”

Moving forward…

Following his sudden death on April 30, 2017, it was an incredibly challenging period in my life. I knew I needed to work through the grief I was experiencing. And I know it’s precisely what he would have told me. When his birthday rolled around six months later, we decided to celebrate by having a party. He wouldn’t be there physically, but I knew his spirit would be everywhere.

We asked every guest to write their favorite memory of Vic so we could read them aloud to celebrate his life.

What a great party it was! Smiles everywhere, good food, good wine, love, and laughter; all those Sunday nights were. And yes, his spirit was everywhere. It was a beautiful tribute to a man who always put others before himself, and he was loved beyond measure. You could hear it in the words, voices and body language of each person who spoke.

Vic’s birthday celebration on November 8, 2017.
Pictured: The Monday Coffee Club

That evening, I came to the realization that each beautiful, unique and inspiring story needed to be shared. It would be my honor to carry his legacy forward and dedicate myself to become the man he was.

This is how CHARGE UP came to be . . .

“The gifts that keep on giving are those of his legacy.”

This is the vessel to move from grief to gratitude every day, to celebrate his legacy, and most important, to pay it forward and make an impact in people’s lives the same way he did for more than 80 years. Venture, Lead, Prosper…those are his initials.

If you didn’t have the privilege of knowing my father, I’d like you to learn at least one more thing about him. I can think of no better way to end this than with laughter…

Vic always made family and friends laugh over the years because of a knack he had for what we called “Vic’isms,” and when corrected, he would respond, “Whatever, same thing!”. He would take a word, phrase or sentence, say it wrong, and truly make it his own. Eventually, we needed a journal to keep up, so the “Vic-tionary” was created!

With that, I would like to present you some of my favorites on this special day:

When he called my sister-in-law from the hospital when my wife was giving birth to our second child, Catherine, he told her, “they are going to seduce the baby!” He meant to say “induce” the baby.

His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING…

He once told us all that he was going to be remodeling his home and would be putting “Gerber” carpet in. He meant to say “Berber carpet.”

His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING…

We complimented his shirt at a family gathering, and he proudly told us that it was from “Banana Republican.” He meant to say “Banana Republic.”

His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING…

He was describing a scene of an accident that he passed and told us that he thought it was severe because the police officer was giving the man “UPS.” He meant to say CPR.

His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING…

While preparing a meal, he told us that we should be using a “SEGREGATED” knife. He meant to say “serrated.”

His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING…

“My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived and I watched him do it.”

I sincerely appreciate you allowing me the platform to dedicate this to my father.

Charge Up, Dad!

I hope you are proud; we love and miss you every day…

VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER

Blessed to carry on his legacy,

#ChargeUp #venture #lead #prosper #legacy #inspiration #gratitude #love #Dad #HappyBirthday

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Bottom line: if you fail to plan, then plan to fail . . .

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A tribute to my father and inspiration: Vic Pisano, Sr.

The only way we can inspire is to grow our community – would you please share this with family and friends, ask that they subscribe to Charge Up, and follow us on social media?

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