Marcus Allen, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region, shares how focusing on living his EOS Life® has changed how he sees the value he offers. Marcus speaks to the importance of mentorship, how businesses are the most powerful force in the fight to end racism, and that it’s essential to work with people you love.
Play To Your Strengths
Marcus has been an entrepreneur since he was 10 years old. He grew up poor, and his mother struggled with homelessness. He recalls that growing up he had a mentor who was a police officer. This man greatly impacted his life and taught Marcus perspective. After college, Marcus knew he wanted to give back to the community and make sure every kid has an opportunity to have a mentor.
Nobody has a perfect life, and Marcus has learned that striving to live it is more important than arriving at perfection. He shares that there was a time in life where he felt torn between improving the things he was good at doing and the things he was bad at. He felt stuck.
Marcus credits EOS® with helping free him from that bind. The framework taught him to focus on improving the things at which he excelled, more so than the things he struggled with. When you focus on honing your strengths, you gain a more compassionate view of yourself and add more value to your role. Let someone else take care of the things that fall outside of your skill set.
Find a Team That Matches Your Energy
Working with people you love is essential to living your EOS Life®. Marcus also underlines the importance of working with people who mirror your enthusiasm and passion for the work.
[18:28] “You need people who love and honor you. They see you and they want your success just as much as you want their success. I think it has to go both ways.”
Marcus has started to implement the 10 Disciplines for Managing and Maximizing Your Energy™, which he learned from reading The EOS Life. He has started to meditate and attests to the difference it makes in his energy levels. Investing in yourself is worthwhile.
[22:46] “The better you know yourself, the better you can know the people around you.”
Vision for the Future
Marcus loves having tough conversations with people, and talking about race and racism has been on his heart for years. He is doing his part to educate and inform people who are willing to listen. He believes that businesses are in a unique position to utilize their numbers and influence to eliminate racism.
The fight is all about stamina. Marcus insists on the value of 10-year thinking — this helps you have the perspective and energy necessary to stick with any work or cause you support for the long-term.
Marcus urges young entrepreneurs to never give up. Surround yourself with other entrepreneurs and focus on development through every failure.
Learn More:
Also Mentioned In This Episode:
- Traction by Gino Wickman
- The EOS Life by Gino Wickman
- The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
YOUR PRIVACY CHOICES