Orrin Woodward on LIFE & Leadership

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    Former Guinness World Record Holder for largest book signing ever, Orrin Woodward is a NY Times bestselling author of And Justice For All along with RESOLVED & coauthor of LeaderShift and Launching a Leadership Revolution. His books have sold over one million copies in the financial, leadership and liberty fields. RESOLVED: 13 Resolutions For LIFE made the Top 100 All-Time Best Leadership Books and the 13 Resolutions are the framework for the top selling Mental Fitness Challenge personal development program.

    Orrin made the Top 20 Inc. Magazine Leadership list & has co-founded two multi-million dollar leadership companies. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the Board of the LIFE. He has a B.S. degree from GMI-EMI (now Kettering University) in manufacturing systems engineering. He holds four U.S. patents, and won an exclusive National Technical Benchmarking Award.

    This blog is an Alltop selection and ranked in HR's Top 100 Blogs for Management & Leadership.

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LIFE TEAM Systems Thinking

Posted by Orrin Woodward on August 26, 2011

Orrin Woodward loves systems. Thats right, I love them. As a boy, being mathematically inclined, I develop statistical permutations to simulate a baseball game with my baseball cards. In fact, I realized years later, in my Statistics class at GMI, that I was being taught similar techniques to the ones that I developed when I was 12 years old. I LOVE SYSTEMS!

When I went to GMI-EMI (now Kettering), my bachelor of science was in Manufacturing Systems. I learned so much about manufacturing processing, theory of constraints, and cost analysis to become dangerous in the systems field. Becoming an engineer was one of the better decisions I made, helping me to think systematically when challenges arose.

Now I am a leader and networker, but I still love systems. Indeed, if it weren’t for my systems background, I would have never accomplished the result in networking that I have. To date, I have been blessed with 12 separate teams that gather over 300 people (some many more) at seminars monthly. How can anyone have that many organizations growing at the same time? Simply put, through systems.

On the last day of my all expenses paid trip to Hawaii courtesy of MonaVie, Dallin Larsen presented me with a $300,000 bonus. What for do you ask? For simply repeating the Presidential rank. Last year, Dallin announced that he would pay a one time cash award for anyone in North America who repeats or advances their rank. Laurie and I were the highest ranking distributors in MonaVie to repeat rank. How did we do it? Again, through systems thinking and the great group of leaders developed through the TEAM system. I know, I know, many people had written the TEAM off, like they always do, but lacking in systems thinking, their predictions consistently fail.

While amateurs, who have no systems training rail against systems, those in the know seem hungry to learn the secret of systematic success. In my former company, several of the top distributors with the largest businesses, sat down with me for hours at a time, seeking to learn how to run duplicatable processes and systems within networking. I was more than happy to help as I believe a rising tide lifts all ships. A person either builds a system to do the heavy lifting in networking or he becomes the system until he falters through sheer exhaustion. Building leaders and building systems has been, and will always be the path that I choose to build networks. In reality, there simply is not other way to build a long-term sustainable business, regardless of how many failed non-systematic networkers believe otherwise.

One of the systems gurus of the 20th century is a man named Buckminster Fuller. When Fuller was a young man he initially felt he had wasted his life. When he was 32, his only daughter died leaving him severely depressed. Soon afterwards, alone at an ocean beach, Fuller waded further and further from shore contemplating ending his life. But at the point of surrender he realized he hadn’t really given life a chance. From the brink of suicide, he resolved to spend all of his energy discovering what a single human life could achieve. In a 1972 interview, Fuller explained the power a single human life had to change the direction of the world:

Something hit me very hard once, thinking about what one little man could do. Think of the Queen Mary — the whole ship goes by and then comes the rudder. And there’s a tiny thing at the edge of the rudder called a trim tab. It’s a miniature rudder. Just moving the little trim tab builds a low pressure that pulls the rudder around. Takes almost no effort at all. So I said that the little individual can be a trim tab. Society thinks it’s going right by you, that it’s left you altogether. But if you’re doing dynamic things mentally, the fact is that you can just put your foot out like that and the whole big ship of state is going to go. So I said, call me Trim Tab.

LIFE is the Trim Tab for Network Marketing, taking systems thinking to the next level. I am so excited to help more people than ever accomplish their dreams through a systems mindset. If a person chooses to be a student, then get ready for the best year of your life. With that said, I have neither the time, nor the inclination, to convince people against their will. If a person doesn’t see value in our system, then quit. If he doesn’t enjoy the CD’s, then quit. If he doesn’t like me, then quit. But even if one chooses to do so, you have no right to criticize someone more courageous than yourself.  You, in other words, are not God and your perception of the facts is not valid for all. Since 15,000 people plus are enjoying the benefits of the TEAM system perhaps your opinion is wrong. Is anyone truthfully saying they are smarter than the combined intellectual firepower and leadership capabilities of 15,000 people? This doesn’t even account for the over 100 plus businesses buying thousands of LLR CD’s yearly. Free Enterprise means that people and companies are free to choose or free not to choose. LIFE certainly isn’t for everyone as it takes a dream, courage, guts, determination, and drive to fulfill one’s destiny. My goal is not to sponsor the world, but only the people who are sick and tired of being sick and tired by what the world has to offer.

My son (Jordan) turned 18 last week. He was given the free choice to either choose the business path, building his own business and setting himself financially free or the employee path through attending university. I explained to him that if he chose the 5% path, then he can self-educate himself as many leaders on the TEAM have. However, if he chose the 95% path, then he needs copious amounts of educational training through respected universities in order to advance through Corporate America. In fact, I told him that we would give him one year to display either his hunger to build a business or its off to 95% university training. Life passes by those who are not committed, and, in my opinion, too few people make and keep commitments. My son has chosen the path of entrepreneurship. Now let the dreams, struggle, and work begin to achieve his victory. Jordan asked me what it would take to succeed, and I told him he needed to find a job or conventional business to invest in books, CD’s, attending seminars, and showing the plan to earn his freedom. Sound familiar? I hope so. No one gets a special deal on the TEAM, no one, not even the founders son. In a nutshell, I told him he had to master systems! It never changes. I love systems.

I believe that if a new person were to ask for and listen to any random ten Launching a Leadership Revolution CD’s, that he would quickly realize why LIFE is going to be so huge. Indeed, each person ought to listen to 10 CDs as quickly as possible to decide for himself the value of the system. Remember, a man with the facts is never at the mercy of a man with an opinion. No organization has married so many of the correct principles of a systems mindset together in one place as LIFE will on November 1, 2011. The only question is: are you ready to work for your dream. If you are, then welcome to your destiny. If you are not, then you are already fulfilling your destiny. Destiny is not in the stars, it’s not even in the circumstances, but it’s definitely in the decisions that you make and keep. I decided years ago to master systems, it has made all the difference for me, my family and the TEAM. Perhaps is time you revamped your life, making LIFE the Trim Tab that changes everything. Sincerely, Orrin Woodward

18 Responses to “LIFE TEAM Systems Thinking”

  1. “As a boy, being mathematically inclined, I develop statistical permutations to simulate a baseball game with my baseball cards.”

    NERD! :^Þ

    Although, I can completely relate since I taught myself HTML and basic web design at age 11 by finding the “View Source” button on netscape navigator, then learned the same things years later in high school

    “LIFE is the Trim Tab for Network Marketing”

    This is what MLM needs, a Trim Tab to get it back on course!

    As for Jordan, major kudos to him for following this path, and even more so to you as a father to let him learn this for himself with no coddling or special treatments.

    Great post, thank you again!

    • I know its nerdy, but it was so much fun having more time to memorize baseball statistics! 🙂 Have a great one! thanks, Orrin

    • Same here about the HTML. I was a couple years older, and use Firefox. You know you don’t get that kind of stuff playing video games!

    • Thera LeFeuvre said

      What you learn is important but surely how you apply it is more so. Full marks to Orrin for learning, but also application which will affect untold numbers of people’s lives long after he has gone..

  2. Scott Reinhold said

    I am blessed to be able to follow a leader like you! Thank you for all you do for Team L.I.F.E.

  3. Orrin, this is such a powerful post and one in which many of the nay-sayers and condemner’s should read multiple times. The entire time I was reading this I was smiling and internally shouting “Yeah, buddy!! Go Orrin!!” This Team/community/business is my LIFE and by expressing your thoughts as you did here, makes me feel like you are right by my side and have my back at all times. I will not forget this article! I know actions speak louder than words so…

    see ya at the top!

    You rock

  4. Greg Johnson said

    Orrin,

    In an age when mediocrity is not only accepted, but encouraged, it is so refreshing to have a system where ANYONE can rise above their current surroundings and aspire to GREATNESS. I say anyone, because the systems designed business such as the LIFE model you have created, by its very nature is designed for the masses. I heard years ago a principle you know and have embraced; serve the classes and you live with the masses, but serve the masses and you live with the classes. Steve Jobs with his ipod, iphone, and ipad created significant success beyond most of his era, because he chose to create a systems product that not only worked consistently, but that anyone could work. He served the masses.

    Your genius to think beyond the current level of thought, and to move the concept of education to the masses and then give everyone who chooses the opportunity to reach another and raise an educational leader is entrepreneurship at its finest.

    A Self Directed Education

    The legacy begins 11-1-11

  5. Mike Kolp said

    FIRED UP!!!

  6. Marsh and Sue Lohr said

    Sounds like the gloves are off! Keep inspiring, leading, and loving all the Team, Orrin! And congratulations to Jordan for the choice he has made. Not nepotism, just plain hard work will earn him his freedom. Can’t wait for 11-1-11!!! FIRED UP!

  7. Joanne Brandtjen said

    Awesome Orrin! Thank you so much for your willingness to put yourself out there for the sake of the TEAM! You are willing to take the heat for standing up and doing what is right! We got your back out here!

  8. Andrea and Mike Renkas said

    Whooo!! Awesome post Orrin. Thanks for everything you do. I, like Kristen, was smiling as I read this post. You are awesome, and we are so proud to associated with the TEAM and LIFE.

  9. […] TEAM and L.I.F.E has something that seperates itself from any other company in the industry. Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady have created the best system to help people succeed in any area of their […]

  10. […] on the planet that has millions of loyal members learning and growing and changing our country. Orrin Woodward’s genius in studying people through history and leadership is why this community is going to be […]

  11. […] on bringing the best in leadership at a price that is affordable to everyone. Currently, the LIFE TEAM is working on a site for customers and members to share testimonies of how the LIFE materials […]

  12. wildtarg said

    Clearly this is tardy, but I enjoyed the anecdotal excerpt about Buckminster Fuller. Before I ever knew anything about his life, I admired him and the way he thought just from reading articles on his theories and discoveries. But to find that that same great mind came out of a struggle with perhaps the ultimate human question, “to be or not to be”, provoked an even deeper connection.
    Many of my early mentors and heroes have passed out of this life. So now, I am left asking; ‘What will I do? Will I follow the crowd, or will I develop the character and capacity to “dent the universe”?’

    Here’s to making a dent.

    Keep going, we’re with you…

  13. Speaking of wrestling, come on by for a visit with your old alma mater sometime. We’d love to have you! Coach Pickens mentions you often.

    Coach Huggler

    • Orrin Woodward said

      Coach Huggler, That sounds great. I have a place right next to the high school, but don’t get up there much during the winter season. Will make it a point to come see everyone. I hope you guys are having a great season! thanks, Orrin

  14. Thanks for the reply and we look forward to the visit. In the meantime look us up on the web:

    http://Www.lakevillefalconswrestling.com

    My contact info is on there should you ever want to meet up with our staff or team.

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