Bill Strickland’s story is truly stunning…about how he turned his dreams into amazing legacies despite starting out with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Makes you wonder whether the rest of us are dreaming too small doesn’t it…?
Bill grew up in Pittsburg, immersed in the crumbling remains of the steel economy and facing racism everywhere he turned. The odds were stacked highly against him. And what an AMAZING legacy he has built to date (and is still building!) to help disadvantaged folks thrive in life.
Bill is about dreaming, following his heart, and staying true to his vision of hope and human possibility.
Make sure to listen to his story below (35:28)…I guarantee you’ll be inspired to dream bigger!
What does Bill teach us through his experience? My three key take-aways are the following:
- If we want to lead in a community, we need to look like the solution and not the problem. We need to bring a story of hope and genuinely believe in the community itself as being a valuable partner in the solution;
- The key to changing behaviour in others is all in the way WE and THEY think about themselves. For us, we need to look beyond what’s obvious and see what’s really there in others. Sometimes the intrinsic good in people is well-masked as the result of hardship and circumstance….look deeper. As leaders, we can also help them to realize that they ARE valuable and worthy human beings, who may just need even one person to believe in them and to care;
- When we lead from a place of integrity, commitment and passion, other people will unexpectedly show up wanting to help us. This of course requires faith and trust, especially when we may feel we are leading an uphill battle on our own at times. Look at the amazing and influential network of human, financial and capital resources that “magically” appeared for Bill without him seeking them directly. The impact of the people who showed up for Bill is breathtaking!
To me, Bill’s call to action at the end of his talk speaks directly to us here in our CIC community:
“I want you all to know that I think the world is a place worth living. I believe in you…I believe in your hopes and your dreams, I believe in your intelligence, and I believe in your enthusiasm.
And I’m tired of living like this. Going from town to town with people standing around on corners with holes where eyes used to be, their spirits damaged.
We won’t make it as a country [or as a global community] if we can’t turn this thing around…I am banking on people like you, very decent people who still believe in something.“.
So consider the following:
- What dreams are percolating for you that would help others who need your help?
- How are you not dreaming big enough?
- What are you not yet noticing about your dreams that’s fundamentally important?
We would all love to hear your insights on Bill’s story or your dream below…don’t be shy 
!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Bill is unbelievable- what a great story!
I notice that I watched thinking, well that is him- I could never do something like that. I am really curious what allows someone to have such guts and also faith.
Brian- I get your premise that we can all be leaders and dream big- but I honestly don’t feel such a power within myself.
Maybe you can share more or someone else can comment- is it really possible for each of us to operate at this level of leadership in the community?
Thanks for your thoughts jamie – much appreciated!
Your comment about not feeling such power in yourself immediately reminded me of part of Marianne Williamson’s poem that she wrote for Nelson Mandela’s inaugural address:
“It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be!
You are a child of God.”
I believe that we all have the potential to be MUCH greater than we normally allow ourselves to imagine. I’d be willing to bet that Bill Strickland never imagined * in his wildest dreams * that he would accomplish what he has, don’t you think?
Dominic Miller, in my post Daring To Lead Naked (see Archives – March), pointed to this too about coming to the realization that his heroes are just ordinary people like he is (or more positively, that he is capable of the same level of greatness too!). It’s just easier to think of our heroes as superhuman, with “powers” that we just don’t have (whew…so now we can play small again
!).
About dreaming big, I am suggesting that our tendency is to dream too small…dreaming only within the realm of the possible (or even the probable). In doing so, we are playing it safe and there isn’t the same energy and motion with “safe” as there is in going to the edge and really dreaming big. What if your dream actually could come true??? I wonder what you’re REALLY capable of!!! And why not dream big? Life is not a dress rehearsal for something else right?
jamie, highlighting Bill’s leadership in community is a great beacon for others to be inspired by. However, if you or I tried to replicate what Bill has achieved, we would likely fall short…because what Bill did was HIS calling, not YOURS or MINE. I believe that you and I (and every other person) has an equally magnificent calling, just different. So we need to dare to listen for our own calling, and then have the courage to go after it. It may take a lifetime to fulfill..but how rewarding at the end of it all to know that you pushed your limits and gave it your all!
jamie, hope this helps. I’m glad you brought this up and I’m curious how it resonates for you?
I agree with your comments Brian and where you are pointing us. I am also aware of what Eckhart Tolle says in the last two chapters of A New Earth. For whatever reason I feel I am at a stage in my life of working mostly on my state of consciousness (inner purpose) and maybe I am one of those people whose outer purpose is not something big and active (yet anyway).
So I would say we need to make room for both inner and outer purpose and let it be ok for people who aren’t feeling a big calling in the world- as long as we are all doing our inner work.