Came across these quotes recently which remind me of Orrin Woodward:

"Great discoveries and improvements invariably involve the co-operation of many minds. I may be given credit for having blazed the trail but when I look at the subsequent developments I feel the credit is due to others rather than to myself."-- Alexander Graham Bell

That's how Orrin feels about the Team.

On the day we know as Thanksgiving, I always take the time to consider the many blessings I've received. One of the greatest has been, and continues to be, my association with Orrin Woodward and the Team. Words fall woefully short of the mark in the attempt to describe what Orrin has done for me and my family. So a simple Thank You will have to suffice.  Thank you for your vision, your belief, your work ethic and your committment to excellence.  Thank you for your example and for your faith. Your leadership brings to mind one of the greatest leaders to ever walk this earth, George Washington. 

In 1789, our first President published his Thanksgiving Proclamation. Appropos of the day, it appears below. I pray that all who read it, read it carefully and remember the source of all our blessings.

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and

Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness":

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26^th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York,

the 3d day of October, AD 1789

George Washington

 

Saw a couple of quotes the other day which rminded me of Orrin Woodward, co founder of the Team and author of Leading the Consumer Rebellion.  

"No matter how much work a man can do, no matter how engaging his personality may be, he will not advance far in business if he cannot work through others."-- John Craig

That's what Orrin continues to teach his leaders.

"The greatest ability in business is to get along with others and influence their actions. A chip on the shoulder is too heavy a piece of baggage to carry through life."-- John Hancock

Orrin would agree wholeheartedly with one of this country's boldest founding fathers. Just as John Hancock is forever associated with the American Revolution, so too will Orrin Woodward be marked by history as one of the founding fathers of the Internet Revolution. For more info, you could read his book, Launching a Leadership Revolution.

Found another great quote from Napoleon Hill which reminded me of Orrin Woodward of the Team, author of "Launching a Leadership Revolution":

"YOU CANNOT MAKE ALL PEOPLE LIKE YOU, BUT YOU CAN ROB THEM OF A REASON TO DISLIKE YOU."

"Even the most popular people have their detractors. Because we are all different, with differing interests and personalities, it is simply impossible for anyone to be beloved by every individual who knows him or her. If your mission in life is to make everyone like you, great disappointment is in store.

But if you are always kind and considerate in your dealings with others, they may not like you, but it will be impossible for them to dislike you. You can cement your relationships with others by making sure that you are a person of character, one who is predictably honest, straightforward, and ethical.

When you follow such a code of conduct, you may not be sought out by others who do not share your values, but you will be respected by all who know you. And in the end, self-respect will mean far more to you than mere popularity."

Thanks Orrin, for being a person of character.

"Self-respect is the root of discipline: The sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself."- Abraham Joshua Heschel

"Not being able to govern events, I govern myself, and apply myself to them, if they will not apply themselves to me."- Michel de Montaigne

When I read these I thought of Orrin Woodward, the most self-disciplined man I know. He could have written them. He most certainly lives them.

I can't remember where I heard this one:

"Some people, if they saw a sign, This Way to Heaven, and another sign, This Way to A Discussion on Heaven, would take the discussion. Some people like to wear out a decision just talking about it."

Not Orrin Woodward of the Team. That's one of the qualities I admire about him most. He takes action.

How 'bout you?

From the authors, Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady, "We wrote the book, Leading the Consumer Rebellion, because we needed a way to capture the rationale behind our business and be able to explain it to others. The Internet is such a huge trend that experts aren't even calling it a trend anymore."

Read more about "Leading the Consumer Rebellion" by Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady