The Invisible Mentor

Posts Tagged ‘Margaret Mead’

We present part two of Michael McLeary’s interview today, and part two is as informative as part one. These interviewees are truly invisible mentors in every sense of the meaning. They are unique leaders who we can learn things from. What would happen if we combined the wisdom, wisdom and experiences of all the invisible mentors? What are your thoughts? Let’s read Michael’s interview and learn as much from him as we can.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I tell extraordinary stories for a living. It’s the best career I’ve ever had. What do I mean by telling stories? Well I own a video production/new media/web company about 2 hours north of Detroit, MI. Recently, I also had the opportunity to finish my first feature length documentary, An Anything But Ordinary Journey, with my business partner Casey Turner in October of 2009. I spent over 4 years on the project, interviewing people across the US and Canada on the meaning of success. So whether it’s making films, or serving clients through our business, it’s all about sharing extraordinary stories with the world and that is extremely satisfying.

As an Invisible Mentor, what is one piece of advice that you would give to readers?

Find your passion and purpose. I believe we were all empowered with a gift to give to the world. I’d like to emphasize the words gift and give. When we give of ourselves and our talents freely to others, amazing things occur. This doesn’t mean what you always do is free, but find ways to give back. It not only makes you feel good but also those you affect. When you wrap the concept of giving around what it is you have a passion for, you find moments of joy that are truly amazing and almost unexplainable. If you don’t feel you have found a purpose or passion, begin that search now!

How do you integrate your personal and professional life?

Sometimes it’s hard but really my professional life is almost an extension of my personal and vice-versa. I love making connections and friends. If you are a client, I really do consider you a friend. It’s not what I can get from you but what can I give to you.

What’s a major regret that you’ve had in life?

Not always finishing what I’ve started. I love starting things, finishing a few times hasn’t always been the easiest. One of my resolutions this year is to go through and tie up any loose strings I have in my life.

What are five life lessons that you have learned so far?

Find your Passion, you have a gift so find joy in using it, 2. Truly experience gratitude and be thankful for what you have been blessed with in your life, 3. Persevere even when it looks like there is no light at the end of the tunnel, 4. Be willing to make a Change, even when it may be difficult, 5. Find your Faith, whether it be in God, friends or family; faith is the power that will keep you going.

When you have some down time, how do you spend it?

Down time, what’s down time? Actually, I’m a notorious web surfer. I love reading news. I’m also a Facebook addict. Yes I admit it, I enjoy social media! I also just really enjoy spending time with friends and family and long drives in the summer.

What process do you use to generate great ideas?

I generally don’t have a process, in fact when I force it, it’s harder for me. I’ve been blessed that ideas often just pop into my head out of thin air so I take the time to write them down before I forget. If I really need to find an idea or solution, I’ll actually go out and do something fun and non work related and those are the times I have the best insights.

What’s your favourite quotation and why?

Only 1? I guess I’m going to break the rules and give you 2…
“Don’t ask what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive and go do that. Because what the world needs is more people that have come alive.”
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

How do you define success?

Find your purpose and passion. When you do that and find joy in your life, no matter what society may deem success for you, your life, that is success because you are doing what you are supposed to do.

In your opinion what’s the formula for success?

It’s different for every one. Watch my film, An Anything But Ordinary Journey http:/www.anythingbutordinary.net. Yes, this is a bit of shameful self promotion, but the film follows my journey to find out what it really means to be successful and has so many nuggets of wisdom from a wide range of people. It answers this question.

What are the steps you took to succeed in your field?

The big thing was really to make a decision that I was going to commit to my career choice and continue to pursue it even when times were tough. By taking committed steps of action towards a goal, the path becomes clear, even when at first it doesn’t appear to be.

What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?

I recommend getting some work as a production assistant on various productions. Work for free and find out if you really like it. If you have an opportunity, I strongly recommend finding a quality film school. There is so much to learn. I’m blessed with a natural aptitude for this, but I really want to eventually go to school myself.

If trusted friends could introduce you to five people that you’ve always wanted to meet, who would you choose? And what would you say to them?

I’d ask mostly a lot of questions… My life has been one giant interview with people about success and life. This would be no different.

Which one book had a profound impact on your life? What was it about this book that impacted you so deeply? Did you have an emotional or intellectual attachment to this book? Why?

Now Boarding Next Stop Your Remarkable Life by Kandee G. I don’t just say this because my friend and mentor wrote the book but because it was one of the first self-help books that I’ve ever read that not only put large concepts in simple language but also did it in a clear and easily readable format.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are five books that you would like to have with you and why? Summarize the book in two sentences.

This is hard because I only really like reading books once. I’d have to say The Bible, because I’ve never read it all the way through, second it’s has a diverse set of stories, concepts and ideas, third, it’s huge. I could meditate on many of the ideas therein for a long time. Otherwise, there is nothing that has caught my attention that I haven’t read that I want to. One other way to solve this would be to ask my friend Steve for recommendations on 4 other books, he’s a voracious reader and could pick some great ones for me.

Have you read any books that inspired you to start a business, service or invent “something”? If yes, which book?

Tony Robbins Unlimited Power really encouraged me to find my purpose and go after it. I’m definitely a Robbins fan.

What one music CD and movie would you like to have with you (on the deserted island) and why?

My tastes constantly change, but right now for an album, independent rock group AG Silver and their album Wake Up and Smell Reality. Movie? I have so many favorites. Probably Star Wars, but that could change tomorrow.

What excites you about life?

I have an opportunity everyday to do something I love and to help change people’s lives and organizations for the better. Everyday brings something new. It brings new opportunities, friends and experiences. I can’t wait to see what will happen each day.

How do you nurture your soul?

Simply taking time out and being with myself or sharing thoughts and ideas with friends. Simple conversation is very relaxing for my soul.

If you had a personal genie and she gave you one wish, what would you wish for? Or, if I gave you a magic wand, what would you use it for?

That everyone would find a POSITIVE purpose and passion in their life. If everyone could do that, there would be little need for arguments, wars and disagreements.

Complete the following, I am happy when.….

I hear that I did something to encourage someone else to pursue their passion.

How can you apply Michael’s interview? Which aspects resonated with you?

Let’s keep the conversation flowing, please comment. Many readers read this blog from other sites, so why don’t you pop over to The Invisible Mentor and subscribe (top on the left side) by email or RSS Feed. I created a Mini Learning Toolkit and you can grab a copy by clicking here.

You can pre-order Anything But Ordinary by clicking here.

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A favourite quotation of many, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” by Margaret Mead (1901-1978) tells us that each of us can help to change the world if we get organized and focus our energies. A large group of people can have a big impact on a worthy cause, but in the absence of a large group of people, a smaller one can still have an impact so there is no reason for inaction.

We often think, “What can I do as one person?” but we should never doubt our capacity to make a difference in this world, even if it is one person at a time.

How do you interpret the above Margaret Mead quote? Do you agree with the quote? Have you ever organized a group of people for a cause that you were passionate about? If yes, what were the results?

Note: Based on what I have researched, I have written the following Meadisms. I am projecting what I think Margaret Mead would say. Mead was ahead of her time, and she often made those around her uncomfortable because of her beliefs and works. Mead was unconventional: She kept her maiden name after she was married, she proposed that students should be paid to go to college, some considered her first book Coming of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilisation (Perennial Classics), a “sexbook”.

Mentors: Ruth Benedict and Franz Boas

Her Calling: Anthropology

Distinction: First anthropologist to look at human development in a cross-cultural perspective

One Core Belief: “Cultural patterns of racism, warfare, and environmental exploitation [are]  learned, and the members of a society could work together to modify their traditions and to construct new institutions.”

Quote Which Embodies Her Essence: “Anthropology demands the open-mindedness with which one must look and listen, record in astonishment and wonder that which one would not have been able to guess.” Margaret Mead

Margaret Meadisms: What Margaret Mead Would Blog About

1. Read an introductory book on anthropology to get an elementary understanding of the history of the cultural and biological diversity of people around the globe
2. Interact with people from other cultures to foster cultural harmony
3. Though what makes up being courteous, modest, having good manners, and definite ethical standards may differ around the world, they are universal characteristics in all  cultures
4. Use video to accurately and neutrally record data
5. Integrate photography with your writing when possible
6. Share your knowledge, mentor someone today, and also seek out mentors for yourself
7. Be aware of what is going on around you so that you can understand trends, or even predict them
8. Do not let nay sayers slow you down, or affect what you do
9. Use your intellectual capacity to the fullest
10. Be generous, share your wealth, and support worthy causes
11. Each person has the capacity to teach and learn from another

What do you think of the above Meadisms? Which could you apply? In what ways are you a pioneer?

Sources:

Answers.com

Wikipedia

Women’s Intellectual Contributions to the Study of Mind and Society

Margaret Mead (1901-1978) An Anthropology of Human Freedom

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Photo Credits: Public Domain, compliments Wikipedia