Blog

I’ll admit that there have been some magnificent moments along the path to Destination Unstoppable. Winning a state championship. Releasing a book. Big client engagements and book endorsements. Appearances on the TV and radio. Those feel great and I enjoy them. But they are moments. They hit the shoreline of time, and dissipate. I receive far deeper satisfaction by touching people’s hearts and minds, and celebrating with those who were my partners during the writing of this book. The feedback from friends and colleagues from all over the world has been wonderful and thoughtful – I can’t thank you all enough – you know who you are.

A couple of examples.

One reader told me that my book read like a fast-paced thriller and that she couldn’t put it down. Cool.

One executive of a large sports company texted me, “I’m on page 54 of the book.  If the rest is half as good, you’ve become one of my favorite writers.” Instant validation. My goal was to capture a great story AND publish a well-written book. And I am hopeful that this leader does enjoy it from end to end. He and I will discuss it in person later this week.

A talented military leader, Jeffrey Curry, whom I mentored years ago when I was at IBM wrote, “Maureen, I’m halfway through your awesome book Destination Unstoppable! I just started reading today, and I’m already convinced this is a ‘must read’ for every leader, manager and coach! Semper Fi!” Jeffrey Curry is a former United States Marine and now works for the government as a biological weapons expert. We’re forming a plan to help wounded veterans find their Destination Unstoppable.

My former IBM colleague and collaborator, Khalid Raza, interviewed me for his Social HR blog. It’s coming soon. His questions were excellent, and so representative of the mature thought leader he has become. When he and I cooked up the idea to host a global Succeed with Your Strengths event, over 6,000 people signed up. Those of you who have read the book will know Khalid by name. He is remarkable.

My dear friend and long time strengths supporter from IBM, Jeffrey VanDeusen, wrote two pages of notes to me, citing lessons he’d learned from reading the book. It was immensely rewarding.

I had dinner with the Cranbook Hockey Team coaching staff – Coach Weidenbach, Coach Lock, Coach Ronayne, Coach Runyon, and Coach Slavick. It was special to celebrate with them, and talk about next year’s team.

I also had dinner with Coach Weidenbach and his son, Andy Weidenbach, Jr. The conversation was excellent, ranging from mentoring, to leading, to succeeding. Building winning teams is something both men have mastered.

I’m partnering with my Duquesne University colleague, Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence Camacho, to plan a trip to Drexel University to speak to his cadets. He is currently serving as the department chair of the Military Science department and professor of Military Science and Leadership. Lawrence and I have a long history of discussing leadership at a deep and detailed level. He is one of the most thoughtful people I know. A great listener. I couldn’t be more proud of him.

Can you see that these snippets have more bone than bling?

Finally, I must share how much fun it’s been to give copies of Destination Unstoppable to the young men in my book. These young men have so much energy, and it manifests itself in entertaining ways.

Last month I caught up with Mason Schultz (Chapter 11: The Energy Guy) right after he finished his first year at Miami University in Ohio. Here is Mason the Energy Guy chillin’ with my book whilst out on a nature walk. Doesn’t everybody do that?  Sure.

Mason Cropped Blog2

Then, last weekend, I visited the home of Blake and Nolan Rogow (Chapter 15: The Team Competitor and The Harmonizer). Co-Captain Cooper Stahl (Chapter 16: The Calminator) joined us.

My goal was to take their picture and document how they’ve used their strengths since I last interviewed them for the book. The hilarity began almost immediately. Nolan didn’t want me to take photos of his feet (feet are rarely the focus of my attention when I shoot portraits.) Then there were wardrobe issues. Cooper, high in Adaptability, was going with the flow. Blake wanted to be photographed at the end of the diving board reading my book. Then everyone was teasing everyone else to make them laugh while I was trying to take their photo.

Nolan the Harmonizer hiding from the paparazzi (me).

Nolan 037 small

 Blake the Team Competitor reading on the diving board.

Blake 079 small

Nolan the Harmonizer and Cooper the Calminator, too cool for school.

Nolan&Cooper 062 small

And finally, the three college students pretending that they were part of a pool-side book club, reading Destination Unstoppable – upside down.

DU_BNC143

It was a ton of fun, as were the interviews with each of the boys. You’ll learn more about the players in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, you can click here to watch the interview with Coach Weidenbach, Nolan Rogow, and me.

I thank you – my friends and family, and all those amazing young men who form the foundation of my book, for your role in Destination Unstoppable: The JOYFUL Journey of No Teammate Left Behind.

Maureen (Ideation | Strategic | Learner | Achiever | Individualization | Maximizer)

Comments(6)

  1. Wow, what a journey so far and mind you, this is just the beginning of a world full of awesomeness for you. I have been keeping a track of some of the cool stuff you have done so far and have been fortunate to know you from IBM days (all that will be in the blog, which will be out today on http://khalidraza9.wordpress.com/ ). Your journey is an inspiration – to those who feel that they do not have power to reinvent.

    Enjoy the moment my friend!

      • Maureen Monte

      • 8 years ago

      Khalid, as I said in the blog, there is nothing more joyful than sharing this journey with talented and committed colleagues. I absolutely *LOVED* being part of your interview on your blog and I encourage others to read it. Indeed, we do have the power to become the person we were born to be. All we have to do is start down the path, leverage our strengths, and the rest of the journey will unfold just as it should. Thank you!

  2. What fun! And well-deserved validation of your awesomeness!

      • Maureen Monte

      • 8 years ago

      Thanks Vicki! It was fun, and so much joy in the joy. :-) I know you get it! Thanks for stopping by to celebrate with me!

    • sarah.dena@yahoo.co.uk

    • 8 years ago

    Oh Happy Days! Oh Happy Days…..yes I am singing Maureen Monte because reading this post and all those awesome comments literally feels my heart and soul with joy! You were an inspiring force during my IBM career but it’s gone up a level and keeps building since I’ve begun following my own dreams outside of IBM. Thank you!

      • Maureen Monte

      • 8 years ago

      HI Sarah! You were always one of those who practiced what you learned from our StrengthsFinder movement in IBM, and it thrills me to no end to hear how well things are going for you. When we use our strengths, we are happier, more productive, and more engaged. This increases our sense of well-being and satisfaction with life, and I am singing with you because you’ve done some hard work to get the dream machine fired up and working! Well done!!