Harry Smith: A Life of Intentional Leadership
Harry Smith: A Life of Intentional Leadership
Harry Smith: A Life of Intentional Leadership
Harry Smith: A Life of Intentional Leadership
An invitation from a gifted leader can be a catalytic event — altering the course of our life forever. Harry Smith has had this type of influence on my life. His example forever changed my approach to life, leadership, and work.
An invitation from a gifted leader can be a catalytic event — altering the course of our life forever. Harry Smith has had this type of influence on my life.
Almost 20 years ago I was introduced to Harry Smith as part of Nexus Leaders. A few months after meeting Harry, he invited seven of us from Nexus to a group study of Stephen Covey’s bestselling book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Harry’s invitation and example was a catalyst that forever changed my approach to life, leadership, and work.
Harry is an accomplished leader, a husband, father and grandfather. His leadership journey began on a paper route at age 9 that continued into his early college years. He became a CPA in 1967, which prepared him for his life-changing career move to the Schilling Companies, Inc. As he assumed the role of Chairman and CEO of the 1,000 person company, he also owned, in partnership with Boyle Investment Company, Schilling Farms. He has been involved in over 30 boards and managing committees in the Memphis area.
In all of these phases of his life and career, Harry has continued to intentionally pour into other leaders — teaching them the many lessons he has learned. This is exactly what he did for me almost 20 years ago, intervening in my life and showing me a better way to live and work.
Leaders Develop Leaders
Harry teaches leadership by exemplifying servant leadership. As a man of deep character and conviction, Harry knows that wisdom is something to be passed on to others.
When Harry invited us to be a part of the 7 Habits study group, Harry's schedule was as busy as anyone’s. However, in spite of his business, he earnestly sought out people who needed to know what he had been learning. His approach was validating and challenging. He let us know we were worth investing in and he challenged us to dig in and share what we were learning with each other.
“Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.” – Proverbs 9:9
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1
Leaders Teach Wisdom
Harry taught us professional and spiritual maturity can grow simultaneously. His faith, life, and work are integrated and winsome.
He showed us that our faith and work not only should be integrated but that our calling in both our faith and work is the same. Harry is simply unable to teach any business or leadership principle without sharing the source of all wisdom. He points to Jesus.
In Harry’s autobiography Driven to Deliver, 9 Keys for Going the Distance in Business he writes,
“In Steven Covey's book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, the author asks this question: "What one thing could you do in your life that would have the biggest impact?" My answer to that question is to improve my quiet time with the Lord. I believe that having an effective quiet time every day is the biggest challenge a Christian faces. We know how important it is, but we still struggle to do it consistently. God speaks most clearly and we learn the most when silence fills our heart.
To grow spiritually, God wants us to spend time alone with Him each day, praying and reading His Word, the Bible. This quiet time alone with God is important because He wants us to have a personal relationship with His Son Jesus.”
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12
Leaders Go and Do Likewise
Harry taught us that, as leaders, we cannot keep wisdom to ourselves. He modeled passing it along and he encouraged us to do the very same thing. He taught us to go and do likewise.
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” – 2 Timothy 2:2
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” – Hebrews 13:7
I am forever grateful to God for the influence of Harry Smith on my life.
Resources
Book: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey
Book: Driven to Deliver, Harry Smith
An invitation from a gifted leader can be a catalytic event — altering the course of our life forever. Harry Smith has had this type of influence on my life.
Almost 20 years ago I was introduced to Harry Smith as part of Nexus Leaders. A few months after meeting Harry, he invited seven of us from Nexus to a group study of Stephen Covey’s bestselling book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Harry’s invitation and example was a catalyst that forever changed my approach to life, leadership, and work.
Harry is an accomplished leader, a husband, father and grandfather. His leadership journey began on a paper route at age 9 that continued into his early college years. He became a CPA in 1967, which prepared him for his life-changing career move to the Schilling Companies, Inc. As he assumed the role of Chairman and CEO of the 1,000 person company, he also owned, in partnership with Boyle Investment Company, Schilling Farms. He has been involved in over 30 boards and managing committees in the Memphis area.
In all of these phases of his life and career, Harry has continued to intentionally pour into other leaders — teaching them the many lessons he has learned. This is exactly what he did for me almost 20 years ago, intervening in my life and showing me a better way to live and work.
Leaders Develop Leaders
Harry teaches leadership by exemplifying servant leadership. As a man of deep character and conviction, Harry knows that wisdom is something to be passed on to others.
When Harry invited us to be a part of the 7 Habits study group, Harry's schedule was as busy as anyone’s. However, in spite of his business, he earnestly sought out people who needed to know what he had been learning. His approach was validating and challenging. He let us know we were worth investing in and he challenged us to dig in and share what we were learning with each other.
“Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.” – Proverbs 9:9
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1
Leaders Teach Wisdom
Harry taught us professional and spiritual maturity can grow simultaneously. His faith, life, and work are integrated and winsome.
He showed us that our faith and work not only should be integrated but that our calling in both our faith and work is the same. Harry is simply unable to teach any business or leadership principle without sharing the source of all wisdom. He points to Jesus.
In Harry’s autobiography Driven to Deliver, 9 Keys for Going the Distance in Business he writes,
“In Steven Covey's book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, the author asks this question: "What one thing could you do in your life that would have the biggest impact?" My answer to that question is to improve my quiet time with the Lord. I believe that having an effective quiet time every day is the biggest challenge a Christian faces. We know how important it is, but we still struggle to do it consistently. God speaks most clearly and we learn the most when silence fills our heart.
To grow spiritually, God wants us to spend time alone with Him each day, praying and reading His Word, the Bible. This quiet time alone with God is important because He wants us to have a personal relationship with His Son Jesus.”
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12
Leaders Go and Do Likewise
Harry taught us that, as leaders, we cannot keep wisdom to ourselves. He modeled passing it along and he encouraged us to do the very same thing. He taught us to go and do likewise.
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” – 2 Timothy 2:2
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” – Hebrews 13:7
I am forever grateful to God for the influence of Harry Smith on my life.
Resources
Book: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey
Book: Driven to Deliver, Harry Smith