This week’s topic is WODOTO. What the what? What is that word and what does it mean? Well, its an acronym for a concept I was taught by two of my dear friends, Alan and Noall. WODOTO stands for: Watch one. Do one. Teach one. This is not a new concept, but it is one that has become much more meaningful for me as a leader at home and in the communities and organizations I serve.
Watch one. Do one. Teach one is a concept developed to help you translate receipt to service. It is a formula for growth. It is a system of replication and expansion.
On Fatherhood: the calling and stewardship starts from day one. Will you own it or neglect to or wait for opportunities. Example… (Rylyn this past weekend)
On Business: the calling and stewardship starts from day one. Will you own it or neglect to or wait for opportunities. Example… (Coaching others to engage in the human dynamic and to find a level of organizational maturity that fosters growth and collaboration.)
On Mentorship: the calling and stewardship starts from day one. Will you own it or neglect to or wait for opportunities. Example… (the question from two unassuming college students, What are three pieces of advice you would give us as we start our lives together and career?)
Will we be ready when the opportunity presents itself or will we be so self absorbed that we will miss or blatantly avoid the responsibility of presence?
Our ego will get in the way in a number of ways if we allow it to:
What do I even have to offer?
What if I lead them astray?
I am not an expert, so I shouldn’t put myself out there.
What if they take what I teach them and they surpass me?
What if they take what I teach them and they become my competitor?
What if they aren’t willing to learn?
What if I fail?
We could make a long list of the reasons not to learn, try, and to avoid teaching. All of which are self serving in the grandest sense. All will stop progression on both sides of the coin and will not further develop others. When we fail to pass the gift along, we fail the gift. You see, the gift was never ours to keep, it was ours to learn from and to help others develop along side us.
We each come to this world at different times. Our legacy is up for grabs. Do we have a clear vision for what can be, or better yet, what we and others can become at our best? Are we intentional about our stewardship and do we look for the lessons…which requires a level of openness…to then designate time and resource to developing others with the gifts we have been given?
In Lin-Manuel Miranda’s broadway spectacular Hamilton, the song Dear Theodosia found in Act 1, is a great example of the vision and relational awareness stewardship calls for. The setting is the parallel private reflection of two foes preparing for a duel against one another, reflecting on their own legacy and silently sending their last message of hope and direction to each of their treasured posterity. You’ll hear of a commitment to not make the mistakes of former generations and to give their very best to the upcoming generation, their own children, as they visioneer growth and substantive work from the gifts they leave behind. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet, do so. It is a brilliant and heartfelt piece. I also believe it is a tremendous example of how someone uses their art and gifts to share and teach perspective and lessons learned.
It took me a long time in my own life to get beyond the take and to recognize that impact and influence are of an opportunity to serve and to build a better tomorrow, both in myself and in others as I share inspired lessons and insights with others along the way. As some of us age or experience progress and success, be cautious not to become hardened and protective, let us continue to embrace the sandbox scene of earlier years where our interest was simply sharing and building.
Much of the genesis behind this podcast and the book I am writing, is for that very reason. It is a way for me to honor the gifts I have been given by passing along the lessons learned in hopes that they will take root and have an impact in someone else’s life as they have in mine.
When it comes to serving others, instead of asking yourself what can I get, try engaging in the dialogue and associated actions of asking “what can I give?”
See in others what they might not see in themselves and give them of your substance, so they too might benefit from the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Build. Don’t take.
So I guess the challenge to each of us today is simply - Watch one. Do one. Teach one. Give it away. Give of your gain if it can help another progress. The opportunities are abundant. Someone else’s growth does not need to be stunted as a result of our own personal insecurities.
Remember that GROWTH is always a choice.
Until next week my friends, make it a great one, and remember to always…HONOR.THE.GIFT.
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