278: Mitch Albom - Tuesdays With Morrie & The Five People You Meet In Heaven

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #278: Mitch Albom - Tuesdays With Morrie & The Five People You Meet In Heaven

Show Notes:

• Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
  • Humility
  • They contribute to the world - "Morrie did the bravest thing I've ever seen."
  • Howard Schultz - The last person in line to get a book signed.  After all of his employees
• "Some of the greatest performers I've ever met are painfully shy: jazz musicians, Barry Sanders, Joe Dumars."
• Tuesdays With Morrie - "He was my college professor.  I had not talked to him in 16 years.  I saw him on TV talking about having ALS."
  • Morrie - "I'm a teacher. That's what I do."
• Why was it so popular and shared so much?
  • "Death ends a life but not a relationship"
  • "You can live within the hearts of people you help/touched."
  • "You have to make time for those relationships while you're here."
• "I write about living.  Death informs everything about how we live."
• "I try to write about reflecting on life."
• Why this theme?
  • "I liked listening to stories from my uncle growing up.  His World War 2 stories."
  • "I spent so much of my youth myopically focused on career success.  For many years I thought how far can I get?"
  • "I wanted to explore what makes a better life?"
• Supporting 47 children in Haiti -- Taking two to college now.
• "Giving makes me feel like I'm living."
• "Taking makes me feel like I'm dying."
• Being part of Sports Reporters on ESPN
  • Writers are critical thinkers and can be good on TV when thinking deeply
• Core pieces of advice:
  • Be humble
  • Be curious - Ask questions
  • Don't lose self in the field you choose.  Life can be brief.
  • "Find out who you are and what you value, and do that."
• Advice from a security guard:
  • Read the best books
  • Listen to the best music
  • Observe the best art
  • Surround self with the best people - Osmosis
  • Immerse yourself with what you value

• The Learning Leader Circle -- Apply
• Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"I wanted to explore what makes a better life?"

Social Media:

• Follow Mitch on Twitter: @MitchAlbom
• Read: Tuesdays With Morrie
• Connect with me on LinkedIn
• Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
• To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12