Avery talks to Lions Club about leadership, laws of growth

— By Bradly Gill

Staff writer

The Camden Noon Lions Club heard a motivational speech on leadership and three invaluable laws of growth, from speaker Stephone Avery at the groups Wednesday meeting at Catherine’s Bistro.

Before Avery spoke president Christy Glaze asked the assembled members if they would like to lower the price of pecans sold by the Lions Club from $12 to $10. The club agreed.

Charlotte Young announced that the group had distributed 124 bicycles from its Christmas Bike Program. She also announced that the Lions Club would be partnering with the Camden Fairview School District for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

A post on the Camden Fairview Middle School official Facebook site states, ” Enroll your newborn-5 year old children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. They will receive an free, age appropriate book every month until their 5th Birthday! If your child lives in the Camden Fairview School District, they are eligible for this program. Stop by any school in the district for an enrollment form or contact Javana McCall at 870-836-4193 for more information. This program is sponsored locally by the CF School District and the Camden Noon Lions Club.”

Avery was then introduced by Young as an educator, minister, former football player and Camden native.

“It’s good to be here among the leaders in this city,” Avery said

He went on to introduce 3 invaluable laws of growth which promote positive leadership as part of John C Maxwell’s course on the ‘Invaluable Laws of Growth’.

Maxwell’s website states, ” The John Maxwell Company compels corporate leaders and consumers to inspire, challenge, and equip organizations to live out leadership and reach their potential. This company distributes my resources, develops customized curriculum for businesses of all sizes, and impacts industries locally, nationally and globally.

“From assessments and coaching to public and on-site workshops, each solution we provide inspires and challenges you not just to learn but to lead with excellence. All of my company’s curriculum can be customized to specifically address your organizational, cultural, and leadership challenges. It also offers numerous programs for individuals seeking to grow themselves personally.

“The John Maxwell Team empowers coaches, trainers, speakers and professionals seeking to add value to others and become top leaders as owners of their respective businesses, in their community or employment role, or for personal growth and development. This incredible team equips over 13,000 trained and certified John Maxwell Coaches to walk beside others in their journey toward their greatest potential.”

The first law introduced was the Law of mirror. Avery explained that this is reflected in people adopting attitudes of leaders, good or bad.

“People do what they see. The law of the mirror is this: Whatever you do as a leader, your people are an out-shoot or an expression of who you are. So whatever you do, the mirror shows who they are,” he said.

Avery then recounted a story about playing marbles, and even though he didn’t win all the marbles, after the game he would trade his remaining marbles for the cat’s eye variants. Avery described this as the law of trade off.

“You have to give up something to get something,” he said.

The last law was the law of expansion.

“The thing was you focus on the most, it grows,” Avery said, “So leadership is like this, everything rises and falls on leadership. Leaders set the tone.”

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