Remarkable Influence

At 5am yesterday, I had a 1% lead in the Johnny Bunko contest. By Noon, my lead had not only slipped away, but any prospects of winning the contest had evaporated as I was behind by 50% of the vote.

What explains this?

The remarkable influence of Seth Godin.

Many of us know Seth Godin as the voice of permission, viral, free prize, liars, purple cow, dip, meatball sundae marketing. Many others know him as the founder of Squidoo and Triiibes. What you may not realize is that Seth is a man of remarkable influence beyond these examples. He is a person of generous spirit who acted yesterday to elevate the Bunko contest from a tight contest between two ideas to a recognition of the leadership of a woman that many of us have come to admire and love - Becky Blanton.

Friends and supporters have been writing me concerned about my disappointment, about what nefarious dealings were happening to take away my victory. No disappointment, nothing underhanded, only the most collaborative competition that I've ever been a part of.

Here's a part of the story. Mid-December, I found out that I was a finalist in the Johnny Bunko contest. My 7th lesson - Say Thanks Every Day - took an early lead. The day after Christmas Becky contacted me resulting in my joining in a group of passionate leaders who gathered together in the kind of tribe Seth writes about in his book, Tribes. Some thought this was a bad idea. Like the Pope inviting Osama bin Ladin over for dinner.  Becky knew what she was doing.

Over the intervening three weeks, we've emailed, talked in forums and on the phone. We've become friends. Our relationship transcends the contest. So does Seth's endorsement. So does the importance of Johnny Bunko, Dan Pink's brilliant peek into the world of careers, and so does the importance of both of our 7th lessons.

I wrote extensively on Say Thanks Every Day throughout the contest.  I believe it was the best idea because I felt that Johnny's expression of gratitude to all those in the story would lay the foundation for greater collaboration in the future. I saw in that idea a Revolution of Thanks and Welcome emerging that could change the world. Still do.

Becky thought her idea - Stay Hungry - best expressed what the 7th lesson should be. She and her tribe created an impressive graphic ebook to communicate her message.

In the end, Seth's generous act elevated the entire experience beyond a contest to an affirmation of both ideas, of Becky as a leader, and to our cheerful, collaborative spirit as co-belligerents in the battle of Bunkoville.

For those of you who worry about me in this experience, please don't. I may not have won the contest, but I did not lose. I have gained more than I expected.

First, I gained a friend in Becky who is like my twin, and her tribe who have embraced me as one of their own.

Second, I gained the opportunity to engage thousands of people from across the world in a discussion of important ideas. Let us not stop. We need to continue this conversation for all our benefit.

Third, I lived up to the challenge that I made to myself to preserve my integrity. By doing this, I was committed to not making this personal. Johnny's 3rd. lesson is "It's not about you." It never was. It was about the idea. Many of you have written me to thank me for celebrating the importance of gratitude in your own life. If I had turned desperate, mean and vindictive as my lead faded, so too would my self-respect and yours for me as well. In the end, how I feel about myself, my integrity, is more important that a great prize.

Fourth, I've gained from being able to reconnect with people whom I respect and give my thanks for their support and help. By inviting them to participate, I grew my own tribe. In particular, I thank my close friend Tom Morris for his support and tireless recruitment of votes.

Fifth, I gained a deeper appreciation of gratitude as a comprehensive set of beliefs and behaviors that are well suited to the challenges of our time.  The contest may be just about over, but my commitment to this idea is not. My commitment for this year of 2009 is to encourage in each of you a revolution of thanks and welcome that transforms the relationships in your lives so that you will be prepared for the great things that will come when hard times diminish.

Lastly, thank you Daniel Pink. You have a great instinct for spreading ideas. You have a great talent for writing books that beg to be read. And my only regret is, not that I won't be able to attend the TED conference, but to travel with you.

Thank you all. It is time to move to the next opportunity, which is Lessons in Leadership next Tuesday here in Asheville. Ya'll come if you can. Thanks.

Comments

[Greg Stielstra]

For all our sakes I wish the outcome had been different. Gratitude is the skill we need to learn, while, I fear, staying hungry, which is really discontented progress motivated by envy, is the skill too many have perfected...to their detriment.

"Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind." Ecclesiastes 4:6 (NIV)

[Annemcx]

Ed it takes a big person to embrace challenge and to keep their integrity intact as they do so. Saying 'thank you' every day is what enables that to happen, grace has a habit of paying its own dividend.

You are inspiring and I'm very glad you're part of the tribe.

[Lance]

True gratitude! Very awesome...

[Ed Brenegar]

Thank you all, especially you Becky. I agree that the "contest" was about getting out the votes. And the importance of it was "connection." However, I think another thing occurred that is equally significant.
People around the globe connected ideas to action. They supported your idea - Stay Hungry - by creating a companion ebook to Johnny Bunko. Remarkable. My supporters began to turn to friends, family, colleagues, associates, clients and customers and push them into action by saying thanks in voting. Pretty incredible.

I've felt for a very long time that the longest distance in life is between an idea and the initiative to act on itn. We've demonstrated in a little way that ideas matter, and acting on ideas matters even more. This is a key if we are ever translate the values that matter to us into actions that strengthen our world.

As I write this, I thinking about a post on the Heresy of Thanks, an ebook on how to create a revolution of thanks and welcome, and a Change This manifesto on gratitude in professional life. We've only begun to plumb the depths of these ideas. Stay hungry, Becky, pursuing opportunities to be a connector par excellence. It is one thing to network with people. Any extravert can do that. It is another thing to connect people in ways that is both personally meaningful and socially fulfilling. I look forward to staying connected to you for a very long time. Thanks again.

[Becky Blanton]

Ed, I've said it before and I'll say it again, the real win was getting you into Triiibes. I'm so looking forward to the coming months and your leadership among some of the best and brightest minds on the planet. I hope you'll encourage them to petition Seth for memberships and admission as well. We all have so much to learn from you - me, most of all. You and I both know this wasn't about the "Best" idea - but about who generated votes. Both ideas have their place, but the greatest idea is really "Connection." Thank you for all you have done. Like Seth said, thank you for being so positive, so generous and such a gentleman. Our actions speak louder than our words ever can.

[Kayla]

Grateful Becky brought you into the Tribe. Love both of the messages you and Becky shared. I believe strongly that when we share good in the world it comes back to us in unexpected ways. You not only say what you believe with clarity - you live it. Glad to know you.

[Bob Poole]

Thank you for sharing your generous spirit. I look forward to collaborating with you on Triiibes.

[Jeri]

Ed,

What can I say that hasn't already been said by those commenting prior to me... you have truly "walk the talk" and I am thankful for the role model of a life of gratitude and grace that you are showing the world. You are enriching many lives by the example you have shown.

May your life's work be blessed as so many are to "know" you... thanks to the power of the Web!

[Jodi Kaplan]

Ed, you are a real mensch (a first-class, gracious person and a true gentleman). I am proud to have you as part of the Triiibe.

[Bodo Albrecht]

Hi Ed,

As a Triiibster and Becky supporter I was worried about your reaction to the result of this contest. You, too, are "one of us" now after all! And you are more than a worthy member, judging by your comments.

The lesson I have learned from this is that there is, like oftentimes in elections, an element of factions and "tribal" behavior distorting results. Is Becky's contribution "better" than yours? I don't think so. You are both great writers. But she managed to mobilize a larger group of supporters.

I am grateful and touched by the way you took it, and I am happy to hear from both of you that you have become good friends. It's an honor to have you in our Triiibe.

Cheers,
Bodo

[Steven Devijver]

Hey Ed,

I haven't been able to comment on your posts in the past week or so. I'm really glad this contest has happened, that Becky has brought it to my attention and that you became part of triiibes.com. We simply couldn't have connected without it, or at least couldn't have at this time.

Personally I was a little surprised at what Seth did, but then again the rally that followed is real and indeed amazing. Many lessons learned here too, and the two most important ones are: say thanks every day and stay hungry.

Thanks for all the opportunities you and Becky between the both of you have created for everybody who cared to listen.

Steven

[Marcos Gaser]

Ed, you are a fine person, and a gentleman. I truly appreciate you!

[Patty]

Thoroughly impressed by your handling of the entire contest, Ed. And by your life's work. You have a new fan in me. Gratitude lies at the core of a happy life and healthy relationships. Thank you.

[Rahul Deodhar]

I must thank Becky for bringing you into tribes! And amazingly well articulated post! Thanks for being on tribes

[Matt Barker]

Great perspective! Leading by example as usual, Ed. Thanks!

[Phil Haussler]

Ed - thanks for your grace and humility. I'll be reading.

[Betsy]

Ed, you're a prince. It's a pleasure getting to know you.

[Megan M.]

Ed - you have such clarity and I've been really enjoying your posts (here and in Triiibes). Thank you just for existing, man. :}

[Tom Bentley]

Ed, you live your words. I say "thanks" back to you.

[Peggy]

Well said, Ed ... proud to be your friend and tribe-sister! There is never a lack of things for which to be grateful. Thanks for shining your light on it.

[Seth Godin]

Of course, the thanks go to you. For being so positive, and a generous sort, and a gentleman. It's good to know you.