One of my best friends and mentors said to me 25 years ago when I started my consulting career working for him… “I will tell you this now about careers and life and I sincerely hope this is true about your new position here, each of us must find a place where we can be uniquely us.” Since that day, “Find a place to be you” has been everything from marching orders, to a timely reminder, to advice shared lovingly with others. I have had that place at RLG International.
As a consultant and Leadership Coach, there was simply no better place to learn my craft than RLG International. It afforded Sally and I an endless stream of amazing places to live and travel, countless brilliant and dedicated client leaders to coach, and a support network of amazing teammates. Then, out of the blue, in 2019 the path Sally and I were on changed. Sally was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. We caught it early and the science around holding off its effects is better every day… but that news still changed everything about our plan. Nothing makes the statement “Find someplace to be you , and go there” more real than the knowledge that the love of your life needs you.
So from October 1st to December 31st of 2019 I took a Sabbatical from work and spent every day at home with Sally building a new plan and a new normal. It was awesome and I know we are lucky. We took the opportunity to stop the world and focus on eating healthy together, praying together, working out together, and (for the first time in maybe our entire 34 years of marriage) just being together.
Here is what I learned…
- We can spend years telling people the kind of person you want to be, then one day you may just have to be that person
- I had friends and family I could lean on, who would not even blink
- Finally, and most surprising to me, was that the last thing you did is never meant to be the greatest thing you did. There is always another place or opportunity to up your game.
The Change of A Lifetime
Over those Sabbatical months, since I was home now every day, I was asked to form a Search Committee to find an Executive Director for a friend who was Senior Pastor of a church 10 minutes from the house. First Methodist Mansfield, Texas was the nations 25th fastest growing Methodist church with incredible preaching and staff. It just needed to find a new leader to compliment a world class staff and replace a talented executive leader that had taken another opportunity.
Well, you know where this is going… the search I was leading started leading back to me! News that started off scary and dark… turned into the breakthrough light of a new wonderful place to do meaningful work. Halting the career Sally and I had given so much too was just the thing that provided enough space for us to see our new path. A path that would utilize 30 years of learnings, allow me to be home, and serve a God I have believed in my entire life. In short… I found a new place I could be fully me!
My new arrangement with First Methodist Church Mansfield graciously allows me the time away and space to keep a connection to all my peers and partners that I love and to the Leadership Coaching that is in my soul. I am fully in a new place to be sure… but what I learned and take away from RLG will always be a part of me.
You will be a great gift to our church home !
Congratulations ! I am too so thankful, but for more than I expected to be. I expected a new challenge. I always expect to find opportunity ( the inner consultant – wink). I just didn’t expect to make a great friend (or several), meet a great extended family, engage with a great team, have a chance to lead a great company, plus do much more. I join with you in being thankful for finding an opportunity and path that seems truly unique, and almost, designed shall we say, for our footsteps. If I may in any way further support your new opportunity, I stand ready.
Congratulations!
Love you both, you have my prayers.
I need your leadership & guidance.
You have my support.
Doug
Prayers for each new step. May the latter be even greater than the former
One of the best gifts that you can give to Jesus , and yourself is entrusting your children to Him. It’s not an easy gift to give. Doing that takes faith. Thank you God for giving my children to me to nourish and love. I am so proud of Taylor’s life and his commitment to God, Sally, Trevor, and his extended family. His father would have been so proud of him as I am. Love, Mom
Congrats Taylor! Life has a way of forcing us to be our genuine selves one way or another. And, I believe, if we allow ourselves to go there, it will bring us closer to God.
Best of luck I. This change.
I meant best of luck in this change…
🙂
TD, you will be great at anything you put your heart and soul into! Glad to call you friend for 25 years
Taylor ,
You and Sally are my inspiration! I am so glad the Lord lead me to you both! You will be very successful
in this new position because God has a plan for you! We pray for you all daily!
Love you both and look forward to seeing you more at TCU!
Susan
Taylor, you will always be amazing. I am a person that has been personally touched by the example of you and Sally.
You are an example of our Savior and I glad you will have time to dedicate your time even more fully to him.
Love you brother,
Glyn
Taylor, I can’t tell you how much I’ve appreciated your mentorship and the model you have been for me as a leader and as a person. From my first week in Newport News, VA to the Australian experience to our recent work together in Toronto, I’ve enjoyed and learned from every minute. Even under great stress, you approach things with humor, proper perspective, curiosity, and humility. I will give you a shout this evening, but wanted to thank you for all that you’ve done to make the world around you better.
Congratulations again on your new role and position. So sorry to hear about Sally. It sounds like you are in a great place. We look forward to catching up!!!
Love ya both!
Your style is very unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this page.
Enjoyed reading this, very good stuff, appreciate it. Kendall Sharer