Real Life with Joey: Insights from My Conversation with Dr. Sam Chand

Hey everyone, I’m Joey Stutson, and I’m excited to share my recent conversation with my new friend Dr. Sam Chand , an author whose work has significantly influenced my life. Sam is well-known for his book Leadership Pain, and his insights into leadership and personal growth continue to resonate with many.

Growth Equals Pain

I emphasized a powerful quote from his best-selling book: "Growth equals change; change equals loss; loss equals pain. So inevitably, growth equals pain. Pain is a part of progress. Anything that grows experiences some pain." This highlights that personal and professional growth often comes with challenges that require resilience and adaptability.

The Journey of a Servant Leader

Sam’s journey from a janitor to a university president reflects his belief that true leadership starts from the bottom. He shared that servant leadership involves humility and the understanding that every role contributes to a larger purpose. This resonates deeply with my own experiences, reminding us that everyone’s journey is valuable.

Navigating Rejection

I asked Sam, "How did your early experiences shape your perspective on the leadership voices that you listened to growing up?" He spoke about how rejection can often feel personal, especially when we’re young and less mature. He encouraged us to differentiate between personal rejection and feedback about our actions or ideas. Learning to navigate this can help leaders build resilience and focus on improvement rather than getting bogged down by negativity.

The Power of Voices

In Voices, Sam discusses how we are shaped by the voices we hear about ourselves. He emphasizes the importance of filtering out destructive voices while harnessing constructive ones. By doing so, leaders can cultivate a positive internal dialogue that fosters confidence and clarity.

Finding Fulfillment in Connection

I was curious, so I asked, "How did you know you didn’t connect with your audience during a recent speech?" Sam shared his preference for one-on-one interactions over speaking to large audiences, (Global Speaker with thousands of hours of speaking) which has shifted as he matured. This shift underscores the importance of genuine connections, reminding us that fulfillment often comes from meaningful conversations rather than merely achieving a large audience.

Embracing Change

He likened today’s fast-paced leadership environment to playing pickleball—similar but different from traditional tennis. This analogy serves as a reminder that while leadership principles may remain consistent, the methods and metrics of success are continually evolving. Adapting to these changes is crucial for effective leadership.

The Danger of Comparison

In an era of constant social media updates, it’s easy to compare ourselves to others. Sam warned that allowing external metrics to dictate our self-worth can lead to a lack of fulfillment. Instead, he encourages us to focus on our unique contributions and define success based on our values. I asked, "What do you believe are the loudest voices in a leader's head today that could distract them from inspiration?"

Pay What You Can for Knowledge

Sam introduced a unique model for his book, Voices, allowing readers to pay what they can. This reflects his commitment to making knowledge accessible and encourages a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity.

Real-Life Application for Authors and Leaders

• Embrace Pain as a Catalyst: Recognize that discomfort and challenges are often the precursors to significant growth. Reflect on how past hardships have shaped your journey.
• Prioritize Servant Leadership: Focus on serving others in your roles, regardless of your position. Understand that every experience contributes to your development as a leader.
• Filter the Voices: Regularly assess the influences in your life. Identify and distance yourself from negative voices while surrounding yourself with those who uplift and encourage you.
• Seek Genuine Connections: Make time for one-on-one conversations that foster deeper relationships. Value these interactions over simply increasing your audience size.
• Adapt to Change: Stay flexible in your leadership approach. Be willing to learn new methods and metrics that reflect the evolving landscape of your industry.
• Define Your Own Success: Resist the temptation to measure your worth against others. Establish personal benchmarks that resonate with your values and goals.
• Share Knowledge Generously: Consider models that make your insights accessible to others, such as pay-what-you-can options or free resources, to cultivate a community of learning.

My conversation with Dr. Sam Chand was not just enlightening; it was a call to action for leaders everywhere. His experiences and insights remind us that growth often comes from pain, that the voices we choose to listen to shape our realities, and that meaningful connections are essential for fulfillment.

Buy his book Here: https://www.samchand.com/

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Stay inspired!

Joey

www.joeystutson.com