Six Pack For Summer
Is it true the lazy, hazy days of summer are best enjoyed with a good book?
Have you noticed how reading and summer go together like beach blankets and suntan lotion? Topped off with some salty snacks and an icy cold beverage.
Do you find it odd that no one talks about spring reading or winter reading?
No one can be certain who invented summer reading. Was it Homer, Plato or Sun Tzu? What about Aesop, Dickens or Ben Franklin? According to occasional reader Ron Burgundy, summer reading was invented in San Diego by the Romans.
Truth be told, summer reading exploded in the 1850’s when many of the well-to-do, hoity-toity members of upper crust society started taking trains and steamships to idyllic destinations like Niagara Falls, Cape Cod or the Catskills. Before long, the working class followed suit, even for just a day trip to the beach. Publishers spied an opportunity to cash in. By 1853, Boston’s Ticknor, Reed & Fields published A Book for the Sea-Side, a collection of ocean-themed poetry featuring Lord Alfred Tennyson, William Wordsworth and others.
“If you like to travel in the summer, grab a good book; a portable vehicle to whisk you away on a magic carpet ride”
Thanks to our ever-expanding digital universe, your summer reading can also be accompanied by literary pieces not yet committed to paper. For example, many of the 12 chapters in BIG LITTLE LEGENDS began as long form essays or video blogs, allowing this writer to clarify initial thoughts long before certain subject matter wound up published in print.
To augment your collection of John Grisham legal thrillers, Harlequin romance novels or Harry Potter paperbacks, keep this collection nearby to savor with your morning java before you head for the beach. A carefully curated list of half a dozen posts from recent years, it’s how you can best enjoy a Six Pack For Summer on this edition of Leaders & Legends.
#6. HOW LEGENDS EARN THEIR STRIPES
Tuesday, October 6, 2020.
I can vividly remember exactly where I was when the phone call came.
Listening in disbelief.
At some point, sudden grief turns to growth and reflection on the life and legacy of a painfully shy, supremely talented, one-of-a-kind original thinker. Released a few days after his passing, this video essay honours the King of Six Strings and Ten Fingers, the incomparable Edward Van Halen.
#5. THE GOLDEN SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS
The origin and creation of legends has always existed in parallel universes.
Circumstances are different. Patterns remain the same.
Whether it’s a person, place, object, event, company, community there is always a specific point in history when a legend is born. For example, there are 60 years between 1927 and 1987, however, two legends are linked forever through the Gateway to the West. Despite entirely different professions - six decades apart- they share three common principles that can be applied to the creation of any personal, professional or business brand legend. Including yours.
#4. PLANT THE FLAG
The greatest brands in the world are NOT built on what they stand for.
They’re built on what they stand AGAINST.
Whether it’s one of the world’s most popular clothing brands or the most-watched sitcom in television history, creating an undeniable, undisputed ‘Category of One’, is greatly accelerated when you are vigorously opposed to something your customers are also against.
Metaphorically, it’s like driving a stake in the ground similar to what happened February 23, 1945 at the Battle of Iwo Jima. U.S. Marines unfurled Old Glory atop the volcanic ash of Mount Suribachi; a powerful symbol of sacrifice, service, unity and victory during World War II. A timeless image of unshakeable conviction for the cause of freedom and the ultimate price paid for Allied triumph over Axis tyranny. It’s also an ideal visual for any business leader to clearly identify what dragons need slaying and specific core values you will not compromise.
#3. BOB’S BEAUTIFUL BUTKUS STORY
What if I told you the chances of success were 1 in 7 Billion?
Would you still pounce on the opportunity to create your own legend?
That’s exactly how it went down when the magic of the universe conspired to create otherworldly success for Bob Mueller. Discover how he went from virtual unknown to accomplished international artist and 2008 Emmy Award winner.
#2. THE IMPOSSIBLE STORY
In any high-speed, high-stakes environment, having the ability and capacity to share a common language is vital to ensure both safety and success.
In fields like the military, the medical profession or professional sports, dealing with urgent, do-or-die scenarios has a way of forcing all participants to get on the same language page in a hurry – or else. Keeping everyone aligned is a most formidable challenge. Getting people inside any business environment to speak a common language is damn near impossible.
If you think it’s slightly absurd and a little far-fetched to expect 400 people to tell the same company story in their own unique way, then take a peek behind the curtain and watch this modern-day fairy tale through the eyes of famed author, speaker and touring musician Dave Carroll. From a town of less than 10,000 in Mechanicsburg, PA, discover how B.J. Werzyn and West Shore Home continue to live "The Impossible Story".
#1. PEELING BACK THE SAVANNAH BANANAS
“By definition, remarkable things get remarked upon”
There is nothing new about baseball.
Which makes this exceptional sports marketing and small business story even more remarkable.
For more than 150 years, Americans have enjoyed the national pastime. But, nothing prepared us for a very DIFFERENT-ER story being written from Savannah, GA where a blend of baseball and entertainment is attracting global attention. Driven by uncommon clarity and conviction, it flows from ownership knowing exactly who they are; with a unique, Iconic Identity that no competitor can copy.
This most a-peeling, real-life saga reveals how any business or brand can surprise, delight and attract legions of fans who are hungry to be served in a remarkable, extraordinary way. With eyes wide open, it helps to recognize that the small business and sports entertainment juggernaut known as the Savannah Bananas would never have happened had Emily & Jesse Cole been stymied and stopped by the insidious, invisible brick walls of DNS.
LINK: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/peeling-back-savannah-bananas-gair-maxwell-vbinc/?trackingId=Qku9Wv2%2FT0Sevp3spq6FBQ%3D%3D
“I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June.”
p.s… In the event this six pack of posts are not enough to quench your summer thirst, here are links to bonus material you may find equally refreshing.
It’s a first for BIG LITTLE LEGENDS.
Nine events.
Three different states.
Three different presenters.
All of this happening in the same week from Florida to Texas and California.
Thanks to the incredible hard work and preparation from Mark DiMassimo and Ray Seggern, this one-of-a-kind program is becoming bigger than any one individual. The styles may be different from each one of us, but the core message is the same. Many thanks to staunch supporters like Mark Taylor and Angie Neal who have played key, behind-the-scenes roles in expanding this program as we strive to serve more Vistage Worldwide members across North America ... and beyond.
Can’t wait for what promises to be a most memorable week in August.
PLANNING A CONFERENCE OR SPEAKING EVENT?
Could enduring principles from the origin of legends be applied to your company or industry association? In the face of frantic, unforgiving change? BIG LITTLE LEGENDS offers a deeper dive into timeless principles that NEVER change. If you have an in-person event on the 2027 or 2028 horizon, watch the ‘Movie Trailer’ and discover the endlessly fascinating, universally applicable message of BIG LITTLE LEGENDS.
“Heroes get remembered. Legends never die” - BABE RUTH
For more information on scheduling an In-Person or Virtual Speaking Program, contact us here: bookings@gairmaxwell.com.
UPCOMING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
August 11 – Petoskey, MI
August 12-13 – Jacksonville, FL
August 14- Sarasota, FL
August 26- Cleveland OH
August 27 – Cleveland, OH
August 28 – Canton, OH – Public Event @ Pro Football Hall of Fame
September 8-9-10 – Louisville, KY
September 16 – Phoenix, AZ
October 14-15 – Chicago, IL
October 27-28 – Milwaukee, WI
BIG LITTLE LEGENDS: SPOTLIGHTED IN FORBES 🌟
BRAND STRATEGY: ON PURPOSE & ON TRACK.
It’s been called a metaphorical road trip that is both journey and destination. THE BRANDING HIGHWAY is designed for larger companies and organizations looking to emerge as an undeniable, undisputed, "Category of One.” This proven, market-tested process is an avenue for Executive Teams to discover both a highly distinctive Brand Identity as well as develop the foundation for your own Media Company. Impossible to describe. Filled with many twists and turns, here is a quick preview:
“No one remembers who took second place. That will never be me" -ENZO FERRARI
FULL THROTTLE VIDEO:
Every week, someone asks a question about our videos and our media partner responsible for the storyboarding, production, and editing. Headquartered in Toronto, ON with a Western Canadian office in Calgary, AB, DEFIANT ASTRONAUT MEDIA is uniquely positioned to help business leaders all over the continent rethink what's possible with this art form.
LET’S GET SOCIAL aND CONNECT
Feel free to share this post with others and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: