A Legacy from Central Europe
It remains astonishing to me that my grandparents on my mother's side, immigrated from Czechoslovakia as young children with their families to embark on a journey to seek a better life, settling as sharecroppers in rural, central Texas.  It makes me wonder how bad it must have been in Czechoslovakia that coming to the United States to become sharecroppers was better.

Pictured above, my Grandpa Rychlik plowed cotton fields and he and my grandmother had a determination fueled by dreams of a better life for their children, despite language barriers, prejudice, and social inequities.

The struggle echoes in my mother's tales of being born at the tail-end of the Great Depression and growing up during World War II and the post-war years.  Born into hardship, she began picking cotton as a kindergartner, along with her brothers and sisters pitching in to make ends meet.  Amid scorching Texas summers, sleeping on the porch of their modest homestead was a communal necessity.

By the time I was a boy and our family visited Grandpa and Grandma, the farm had gained electricity, but they never had running water on the farm.  Dropping that bucket down into the deep well on the back porch on a hot, summer day to pull up a cool drink after running through the fields and chasing chickens around the barnyard was both marvelous and astonishing at the same time. 

This seemingly mundane act of getting a drink of water from the well epitomized the marvels born from resilience.  As a suburbanite, the contrast between our lives and theirs became more profound.  As I grew and developed, our farm visits transformed from adventurous fun into utter awe and admiration at the grit, courage, strength, character, and commitment to purpose both my grandparents and parents had. 

A Legacy Born from Slavery
John Lewis, referenced in our opening quote, shared a different yet resonant struggle with sharecropping.  Growing up in segregated Alabama, John's heritage shaped by the legacies of slavery and subsequent sharecropping, shared a parallel resilience with my family.

But unlike my family, he grew up facing the stark reality of racial inequality, even being denied access to the local library due to his skin color.  John is quoted as saying, "I remember in 1956, when I was 16 years old, with some of my brothers and sisters and cousins, going down to the public library, trying to get a library card, and we were told the library was for whites only and not for coloreds."

John later went on to be a leader in the Civil Rights Movement and served in the US House of Representatives until his death in 2020.  He has been described as a leader of conviction, courage, and commitment.  Like any great leader, he was devoted to a cause much greater than himself.   As pointed out in David Gergen's book, Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders are Made,  John (and other examples) had to sort out and embrace core values, finding a true north, summoning inner courage, and living a life giving back to and serving others.  He died a national hero.

Connecting Generations
Our stories, seemingly worlds apart, find a common ground in the crucible of adversity.  The shared hardships, whether plowing fields in Texas or battling segregation in the American South, reveal a universal truth about leadership emerging from the forge of challenges.  These connections become the fabric from which purpose-driven leaders are woven.

As I explore these intergenerational narratives, it becomes evident that the challenges faced by my family resonate with those encountered by leaders like John Lewis.  Their shared experiences of childhood labor and navigating systemic inequalities forged a sense of purpose and an unyielding commitment to creating positive change.

The images from my grandparent's farm juxtaposed with John Lewis's memories of being denied access to a library speaks volumes about the struggles each generation faced.  Yet, it is precisely these struggles that cultivated the seeds of leadership, rooted in a deep understanding of the value of education, equality, grit, and purpose.

Leadership Development & Core Vaues
Just as John Lewis's leadership journey was marked by the need to define and embrace core values, my family's experiences underscore the importance of staying true to one's principles.  Leaders, whether on a farm or in the hallowed halls of Congress, must navigate challenges with conviction, courage, and unwavering commitment to a cause larger than themselves.

Gergen's insights into great leaders resonate powerfully here—the journey towards leadership involves not just overcoming obstacles but also aligning one's compass with true north.  It's a process that both Lewis and my grandparents undertook, guiding their families through tough times with a deep-rooted sense of purpose and an unshakable commitment to shared values.

The Purpose-Driven Leadership Program
These reflections on shared struggles and triumphs pave the way for a crucial discussion about purpose-driven leadership.  In my own life, the lessons handed down through generations have fueled my commitment to creating a space for leaders to discover their true north and develop the skills necessary to lead with purpose.

In the face of challenges, whether in the fields of rural Texas or the battlefields of civil rights activism, the common denominator is commitment to purpose.  The Purpose-Driven Leadership Program aims to channel the spirit of resilience and purpose seen in my family's history and leaders like John Lewis.

By intertwining personal narratives, core values, and a commitment to a greater cause, this program is designed to empower leaders who not only navigate adversity but transform it into a catalyst for positive change.

January 22, 2024 - Laedan Professional Services, LLC is proud to announce the addition of professional referrals services to its repertoire of services.

At the core of my commitment to unparalleled service is the belief in the power of referrals.  As a testament to this commitment, I extend my services beyond individual expertise, actively connecting my clients, associates, family, and friends with reputable professionals in the community. 

No longer will you need to navigate the vast expanse of Google or Angi, sifting through stars and reviews.  I'm part of a network of exceptional individuals, eliminating the guesswork from your search.

Rest assured, there are no fees, kickbacks, or any other incentives beyond the mutual exchange of referrals.  As I personally know each of these individuals and they'll be aware of your referral, you can expect nothing short of the royal treatment.  This is a network built on trust, ensuring that your experience with these professionals is not just satisfactory, but truly exceptional.

Explore the following list of services, each backed by my personal endorsement.  These are not just professionals; they are credible, ethical, and outstanding contributors to our community.  If you find yourself in need of a service within the areas listed, don't hesitate to reach out.  I am delighted to facilitate introductions and connect you with these trusted professionals:

January 17, 2024 - Laedan Professional Services, LLC is proud to announce that Owner and LLC Manager, Alan Mikolaj, attained the esteemed Associate Certified Coach credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) today. 

To qualify for the ACC credential, applicants must complete 60-hours of training, ten hours of mentor coaching, 100 hours of client coaching experience bound by the ICF Code of Ethics and Standards of Behavior, submit and pass a recorded coaching session performance evaluation, pass a written exam, and take the Pledge of Ethics of the ICF Professional.

"There are so many people to thank for guiding and accompanying me on this journey, thus far," Alan said.  "A special thank you to the instructors at Coaching Out of the Box, my mentor coaches, Carolyn Hamilton-Kuby and Joanne Peck, my fellow students and colleagues, all of my amazing clients, coaching sponsors, and especially my lovely wife, Leah."

With over 15 years of coaching experience with leaders from the frontline to the C-suite, Alan brings a wealth of expertise to the table.  His commitment to excellence is unwavering, as evident through his credential and membership with the prestigious International Coaching Federation (ICF).   Mr. Mikolaj adheres unwaveringly to the ICF's Standards of Behavior and Code of Ethics, ensuring the highest level of professionalism and integrity in his coaching practice.  He is also a certified graduate coach from Coaching Out of the Box.

From front-line employees to top-tier, C-suite executives, Alan has an impressive track record of empowering leaders to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. 

With a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Sam Houston State University, Alan combines academic excellence with practical experience.  As an esteemed educator, he has taught at multiple institutions, including San Antonio College, North Harris County Community College, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Lone Star College, Sam Houston State University, and the Bradford School of Business.

Alan is also the author of three books and a contributing author in the 20th edition of The Change: Insights Into Self-Empowerment, one of the world's fastest growing book series published by Jim Lutes and Jim Britt with a forward by Les Brown.

Please join us in congratulating Alan on this prestigious achievement.

This past Sunday, my family and I embarked on a transformative journey inspired by Brian Blatt's new book, Lessons from the Breakfast Table: Keys to Success from A to Z.

Each chapter focuses on a letter of the alphabet and a concept that, when applied, can be the difference between an average life to one that is filled with joy and abundance.  While designed for children, the lessons resonate profoundly with leaders.

We kicked off with 'A is for Attitude.'  Displaying it prominently on my whiteboard (pictured above) during our Home Church session, this simple act reinforced a core principle from The Purpose-Driven Leadership Program:  "Energy flows where attention goes."  This echoes Tony Robbins and others and underlines the significance of contemplating one's mission and values daily.

To further our focus and energy, we also incorporated it into our Morning and Evening Cuddle that I wrote about back in November of last year.  Attitude, particularly an attitude of gratitude, took center stage.

Then during a conversation about midweek with my sister about an upcoming presentation/workshop she's conducting, the theme of attitude emerged once again.  It reminded me of the space between stimulus and response—what Viktor Frankl calls a space in our opening quote and what Stephen Covey called the gap.

In that space lies our power to choose—not just our response but our attitude.  Brian contends that "your attitude will determine your outcome more than anything else."  This essential building block, a key principle for success, becomes crucial, especially in challenging times.

However, maintaining a positive attitude can be challenging, particularly when stressed.  The pivotal moment is in the gap between stimulus and our automatic response.  Catching this gap allows us to choose our response consciously, aligning with our values and leadership ideals.  As Dr. Frankl noted, it's in this gap that growth and freedom reside—a space we must be aware of and as Dr. Covey tells us in the YouTube, can expand and widen through that awareness.

Dr. Wayne Dyer adds, "Taking charge of yourself begins with awareness."  Self-awareness, a cornerstone of effective leadership, enhances our ability to lead others.  Increasing awareness requires ongoing effort, whether through study, journaling, meditation, or contemplation.

Take time each day to be self-aware.  Have a quiet moment.  It'll help you find your gaps and increase your 'response-ability.'  It will make you a more effective leader.  It will help you to widen your gap, love more authentically, and step into your growth and freedom.

Welcome back to Mikolaj's Monday Maunder!
As we embark on a new year filled with endless possibilities, it's only fitting to take a moment to reflect on the highlights of the past. 

In the spirit of celebrating excellence, I present to you "The Best of 2023." Each week, I delve into insights and inspiration tailored for your leadership journey, and it's fascinating to observe which blogs resonated most with our community.

This week's compilation offers you a curated selection of the top seven blogs from 2023, providing an excellent opportunity to revisit these thought-provoking pieces or discover them for the first time. 

So, let's kick off 2024 by immersing ourselves in the wisdom that captured the attention and admiration of leaders like yourself.