The Power You Have to Make a Huge Difference with Jacob Lief

Every time I visit a school I’ve built with Pencils of Promise (or go to an event that is focused on serving others), I feel amazing.

That’s part of the reason I am such a believer that serving others is one of the keys to greatness.

But I remember a time when I didn’t believe that.

I thought if I was winning, it meant other people were losing. And that’s just how it was.

The more guests I talk to on the The School of Greatness, however, the more I realize that there is no way to make a huge difference in the world without focusing on serving others.

And today’s guest is a shining example of this.

Jacob Lief is an extraordinary leader who decided while in college that he was going to make a huge difference for a town in South Africa.

He has spent the last 15 years doing just that, through his non-profit organization Ubuntu Fund.

Not only has he raised millions of dollars in funds, built schools and invested heavily in the future of the youth of that area, but he has been recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative, among many others, for his incredible service.

In our conversation, I was so inspired by Jacob’s vision, his work ethic, and his candor in discussing not only the successes he’s experienced but his failures as well.

More than anything, I was reminded that we ALL have the capability and responsibility to live lives of outward focus and service, even if it’s just in our immediate circles.

I am honored and grateful to introduce you to Jacob Lief in Episode 199.

“We are defined, as people, by the way we treat each other.”

Some questions I ask:

• What opened up for you the first time you traveled to South Africa?
• What does “ubuntu” mean?
• What is your biggest challenge after 15 years of being in this work?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How he has raised over $40 million in 15 years for his non-profit
• Why it takes a huge amount of resources to take a child out of poverty
• Jacob’s philosophy that it’s better to reach less kids with a bigger impact than more kids with minimal impact
• The importance of talking about failure as well as success in the non-profit world
• Jacob’s tips for starting to live a life of service
  • Find something you really care about
  • Get to know the leadership of the organization
• How he found the guts to say no to the wrong funding sources

“Sustained success isn’t exciting for people [in non-profits].”

• The business savvy needed to run a successful non-profit
• Plus much more…

Interested in learning how to build a life and business around doing what you love? So am I. Let's connect.

This post was originally posted as blog post LewisHowes.com. View original post here.

Photo credit Morgan Sessions 

Lewis Howes is an online marketing expert, sought-after business coach, hugely popular speaker, podcast and webinar host, and lifestyle entrepreneur. A former Pro Football player, Collegiate football record holder, two-sport All-American, and current National Champion in Team Handball, he is the host of The School of Greatness podcast, which has been downloaded by over 5 million people since it first went online in January of 2013 (and receives 750,000 downloads per month). He was recognized in a 2013 White House ceremony by President Obama as one of the top 100 entrepreneurs in the country under 30. He is an author, angel investor and advisor to start up companies. He has built a multi-million dollar online businesses and named by Details Magazine as one of "5 Internet Gurus Who Can Make You Rich.”