#2: Leadership Principles and Historical Adventures with Author and Speaker Joel Hawbaker
The phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” may be a cliche, but it applies in so many situations. Specifically, there’s a key word in there: make. You have to make the conscious decision to improve your situation. This episode’s guest, Joel Hawbaker, is no stranger to tough times – in the span of three years, he learned his dad had terminal cancer, got divorced, and lost his home. After hitting rock bottom while wandering aimlessly around a Walmart, Joel realized he could turn things around. He just had to commit to his self-improvement and consistently keep working at it. The end result? He’s developed leadership principles that anyone can use to help grow their business – or to simply become more comfortable in their own skin.
Joel is an award-winning teacher, author, speaker, and frequent podcast guest who loves helping young leaders overcome obstacles and grow through courage, confidence, and humility. By sharing personal stories of failure and success, with plenty of humor and engagement mixed in, Joel teaches leadership methods and leadership skills that audiences can apply as soon as they leave the event. His book, Inverted Leadership: Lead Others Better By Forgetting About Yourself, was a #1 best-seller on Amazon. Leadership principles on Amazon? You better believe it!
Highlights of our conversation include:
Joel’s incredible life story, including his unique family dynamic after his parents’ divorce, the birth of his two children with his first wife, and finding out his dad had terminal cancer. (3:13)
How news of his dad led to Joel spiraling and moving around jobs, getting divorced, and losing his home. (6:23)
After hitting rock bottom, the choice Joel made to accept responsibility and create a positive mindset to turn his situation around. (7:29)
The “a-ha moment” where Joel realized he needed to make a change – in the middle of a Walmart, no less. (10:33)
The vice Joel still has to this day (don’t worry - we’ve all got at least one). (14:20)
Insight into the disciplines that have helped Joel along his journey, and that anyone can adopt. (15:18)
Joel’s process for mapping out his goals to help him accomplish what he’s working towards. (20:32)
One of the books Joel is reading and a quote that has stuck with him from that book. (23:46)
How Joel got into speaking and the impact it’s had on his career. (25:53)
Joel’s top three historical topics he covers in his teaching. (31:10)
What’s next for Joel Hawbaker?
Having studied and played soccer at both Covenant College (Georgia) and Oxford University (England, UK), Joel has a B.A. in History and a passion for literature as well as a love for sports. These interests and his experience as a high school teacher come across through his presentations, as he often references historical examples and quotes from C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, John Wooden, and Coach K. Joel currently lives in Alabama with his wife, his two daughters, and their two rescue dogs Bruiser and Butterscotch. When he’s not busy speaking, writing, teaching, or coaching, Joel is longing for the day when he can go on his dream vacation of visiting Hobbiton in the Shire.
Learn more about Joel’s leadership principles at reallifeleading.com and visit his site – or book him as a speaker – at joelwhawbaker.com. He’s got all the leadership characteristics you could want in a speaker!
If you’re a fan of Good People, Cool Things, I would love your support. Feel free to subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. That helps even more people discover these wonderful guests.
You can also support the show by checking out the Good People, Cool Things merch store. Thanks for listening!