Welcome to the Emerging Leader
This edition of the Emerging Leader challenges us to find ways to make our own unique mark and move beyond average. Our world has so many problems needing our attention. We need engaged leaders, like Tim Tebow, who will stand out and resist blending in.
What we've been reading
"You know what normal makes you? Average. Why would you wake up and say, 'Yes, today I can't wait to be average?'" As a Florida Gator fan, I have followed Tim Tebow's career closer than most. He never fails to serve others in truly remarkable ways and inspire others to act. (CNBC.com)

What do you think? You'll have to read the article to find the answer. Four of five surveyed answer the same way. (Ideas.TED)

We all know many adults who have money are not happy. So money isn't the secret to happiness. Or is it? Youth speaker/blogger Joel Hilchey reminds us all how money can make us happier. (JoelHilchey.com)

In the past 10 years most think food prices have gone up. This chart surprised me that prices haven't gone up as much as I thought. Bad news for those who love bacon but good news for Chick Fil A! (virtualcapitalist)
What we've been watching

"The Best Thing I've Seen Today" (1:17)

This month's edition of the Emerging Leader was written around Valentine's Day. With love in the air, who can resist cuddly, compassionate animals. Sometimes animals are the best role models. Be prepared for a few "aaaahhhs".

"Teams Which Touch, Win" (1:52)

Wow! High fives, fist bumps, breaking it down, huddle ups and pats on the back lead to something more than just a momentary gesture to encourage the heart.
What we've been thinking
In the story above, Tim Tebow urges us to rise above average. I am inspired by his statement, "I would rather be an outlier and fail, than be normal." Six years ago, I watched a video of Thomas Friedman and his pronouncement that the "age of average" is over. He stated, " In the past, doing an average job, could earn an average lifestyle. Now, being average just won’t earn you what it used to. Everyone needs to find their extra — their unique value contribution that makes them stand out. Average is over". Just this year, Tyler Cowan reinforces the manta in his brand new book, "Average is Over".

What does this mean for us and how we present ourselves to the world?

The mission of a servant leader requires the passion and courage to take a stand and create a strong point of view. More than ever, your work will be judged and categorized into one of 3 stacks - "Wow", "Meh", or "Nope". Your work must find its way to the left hand stack, the "Wow" stack. The least desirable stack is paradoxically not the "Nope" stack, but rather, the "Meh" stack - the tallest pile of simply "average". This is the message of Friedman, Cowan and Tebow - being in the middle stack, you and your work will be hidden and obscured. Each of us must take a chance to get to "Wow", even if we wildly miss the mark and end up in the "Nope" stack. Whether you are writing an essay, creating a school project, or sitting for a job interview - take a chance, advocate without fear, and say what needs to be said. You might get rejected and be thrown on the "Nope" stack, but if you end up in the "Wow" stack, you are on your way! In an era when average is over, go for "Wow" in all you do, every day.

- Mr Charles Kafoglis
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Published by the Leadership Department of Incarnate Word Academy
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