Chris & Terri Brady – LIFE Founders Part I
Posted by Orrin Woodward on February 24, 2012
When I met Chris Brady in the AC Spark Plug lobby, we were 18 years old – kids fresh out of high school. Both of us had dreams, ambitions, and a willingness to work. After a brief introductory meeting with our student advisor, all of the students was sent off to various facilities for their specific assignments. Who could have predicted then what God had in store for two young men in that meeting? Even so, Chris and I met for the first time on that summer day in 1985, eventually leading to a business partnership that would launch a leadership revolution to change the world.
My second recollection of Chris was in our first semester of GMI-EMI, when I sat in front of him in our history class. I heard a young man behind me speaking boldly about the steps he had planned to climb the corporate ladder and achieve his goals and dreams. My first thought was: What 18-year-old already has his life plans laid out in that detail? Curiosity got the best of me, however, so I turned around to see who was speaking. Looking at Chris, I knew I had seen him before, but couldn’t recall where. One things was for sure. I knew then that Chris, at 18 years of age, was focused on moving ahead in life and leadership.
In truth, Chris Brady has been a dreamer and doer for as long as I have known him. For example, when I was working a full 12 week assignment in Wichita Falls, Texas, I lived in an apartment provided by the AC Rochester plant (one of the reasons I agreed to go to Texas, since I was dead broke.) 🙂 Chris was assigned to Wichita Falls for a six-week term to help launch a new product. Since the plant was already paying for an apartment, Chris crashed with me and several other students during his time in Texas. It was my six weeks with him in Texas that solidified by belief that Chris was different from the rest of us students. Specifically, when comparing his purpose and vision to the rest of ours. Simply put, I had never met anyone so young who was as driven to break free from mediocrity as Chris Brady. His determination and confidence was scary for a low self-esteem person like I was at the time.
However, with that said, his boldness and direction intrigued me as much as it intimidated me. Why did this guy believe so strongly in his purpose? How did he achieve this magical elixir so young? Whatever it was, Chris’s drive led to massive achievements throughout college. In fact, he finished second in his 1990 graduating class at GMI-EMI (not too shabby considering it is a school filled with brains.) 🙂 More impressively, after graduation, he qualified for the coveted GM scholarship program. GM selects only a few of the elite graduates for an all-expenses-paid masters program. Chris chose the prestigious Carnegie-Mellon Institute and graduated with a masters in manufacturing systems. Little did Chris know, however, that beyond his degree, he would gain something much more valuable – the love of his life, Terri (Estes) Brady, whom he met at Carnegie-Mellon.
Chris and I went our separate ways after graduating from GMI-EMI. Basically, it wasn’t until after I began seeking another career path to success that we were reacquainted. In truth, I was not planning on contacting Chris for my community – not because I didn’t think he could do it, but rather, knowing his drive and mission, I believed he already had his path to his dreams. Providence, however, intervened. Thankfully, when I began community building with another engineer, he strongly recommended we share our plan with Chris. He said he could line up lunch together for the three of us.
When Chris and I met for lunch, it didn’t take five minutes for Chris to begin dream building me on the possibilities of getting out of corporate America. Hold on a minute, I thought! I am supposed to be dream building Chris on our options, and instead, he has me imagining flying around the Caribbean, talking about owning a local island business, and living the high life. What gives? I was so discombobulated, that I never showed him anything. Only later did I realize that Chris had recently returned from his honeymoon, and no longer wanted to sell the best 50 years of his life working for someone else. Corporate America’s rose-colored glasses, in other words, had been cracked for both of us. Eventually, Chris and I had another lunch appointment that formed the foundation for a life-long business partnership.
Even though our businesses didn’t grow that fast, our friendship and trust for one another did. To be sure, we worked hard, but we never seemed to get the growth we expected from working so hard. Indeed, after nearly five years of tireless effort, both of us combined could barely gather 200 people within our community. Those were less than overwhelming results, to say the least – especially compared to our business today, since we recently had a brand new couple accomplish more in fifteen months than the Brady’s and Woodward’s did in five years! This couple went from zero to over 300 people in their personal community, achieving the RT level in just fifteen months. In Chris’s and my defense, however, it was a different era. We had to deal with overpriced products, an under-rewarding compensation plan, and a meddling myopic management team.
Our businesses may not have grown, but we did, both personally and professionally. We both came to faith in Jesus Christ during our five-year desert experience. It is immeasurable the impact this has had on both of us in all areas of life. Actually, looking back, I am thankful our businesses didn’t grow during this time, because if they had, we might have been inclined to take the credit. Instead, we struggled for years, building and replacing groups repeatedly. The lessons we learned about ourselves and others, realizing not all people follow through on what they say, were essential for our future success. In reality, many people start in community building with selfish motives, but over time, if they stick around, we see them change and grow into servant leaders. Chris and Terri chose the change and growth route, becoming top servant leaders.
Stay tuned for Part II. Sincerely, Orrin Woodward
11 Responses to “Chris & Terri Brady – LIFE Founders Part I”
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Michael Rankin said
When I think of Orrin and Chris and the other leaders that stuck around I think of the words “the road less traveled”. I’m not sure I would have had the intestinal fortitude to stick through what these pioneers have experienced. I am impressed with this whole organization and what Orrin and Chris have accomplished.
Mike Rankin
jmsfehr said
Reblogged this on Jmsfehr's Blog.
Kristen Seidl said
Reblogged this on Kristen Seidl – Living an Intentional Life and commented:
The divine appointment of these two men has led to the changing of thousands and soon to be millions of lives.
Maribel Damphousse said
Reading this is like unfolding the early beginnings and the laying of the solid foundation that LIFE TEAM is rooted onto this day – friendship, focus, learning, faith… Looking forward to reading Part II ! God bless!
Raymond said
Orrin,
What a great partnership between you and Mr. Brady! I remember my first time meeting Chris Brady after a seminar in Collinsville, IL. He stopped in the Steak and Shake for a bite, and sat down with a group of us for what turned out to be an absolutely engaging conversation. I have always been impressed with Chris’ wit and energy, but his humility is probably one of his most remarkable attributes. Another time I had the pleasure of giving both the Woodwards and the Brady’s a ride back to their hotel…with all of us the car their was not enough room, so Chris Brady volunteered to sit in the cramped hatch of my Durango! Of course Terri, is a great compliment to her husband, and her heart is glue for the entire TEAM. We are blessed to have this great couple on our side. God bless you Chris and Terri!
Rob Crichlow said
Thin threads have brought many of my current business associations together. We all thank God you and Chris came together. Thanks for paving the way for us.
Angela Fagan said
I love reading about all the PC. Especially how you and Chris met and met again it is truly fate.
Moira Fitzgerald said
Hind sight is 20:20. All of us should remember that leaders don’t necessarily look like leaders the first time you meet them. Could any of us have predicted where the 18 year old Chris Brady or Orrin Woodward would be today? Stop worrying about what you aren’t and start focusing on what you are becoming. Look forward. Give your best every day in every way. Follow the example of character, commitment and vision set by Chris and Orrin.
wildtarg said
I agree. It’s easy to look back into history and go “well, of course.” What I find remarkable in this account is that Chris Brady did that looking forward, into the future. He has shown many times over his capacity to dream a big dream, set up a compelling vision, and then fix his purpose like a sailing captain choosing a destination. The winds, waves, and sails may change the course, but the objective is fixed as if he is already there. His bestseller Rascal isn’t just a great book on leadership; it’s his life philosophy. I’m tuned in for part II!
Keep going, we’re with you…
Professor M.S.Rao said
I recently read Orrin Woodward’s authored book, Resolved: 13 Resolutions for LIFE with great interest. Orrin Woodward needs no introduction. He is a renowned leadership guru, and is ranked as one of the World’s Top 10 Leadership Gurus. He co-wrote the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, Business Weekly, USA Today, and Money Magazine best seller, Launching a Leadership Revolution. The foreword for this was written by Chris Brady, who is recognized as one of the world’s Top 30 leadership Gurus. The book provides the essence of the proven leadership principles of Orrin Woodward. It is divided into 13 chapters. Here is the break up of each chapter:
Chapter 1 deals with purpose; chapter 2 character; chapter 3 attitude; chapter 4 programming the elephant; chapter 5 game plan and do; chapter 6 keeping score; chapter 7 friendship; chapter 8 financial management; chapter 9 leadership resolution; chapter 10 conflict resolution; chapter 11 systems thinking; chapter 12 adversity quotient; and chapter 13 concludes with legacy. In addition, it has Appendix A deals with Washington’s Civility, Appendix B unveils Washington’s Maxims, Appendix C unfolds Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues and Appendix D reveals Edwards Resolution.
It unveils 13 resolutions which are nothing but 13 habits for success and happiness. It covers from the core about success and leadership nuggets. It outlines diagrams to capture the key contents quickly, and provides boxes that contain key ideas and insights.
The book helps you achieve success and happiness. It is written in simple and straight language so that anybody can read, understand and apply the principles for achieving all round success. Precisely, it is a book for all times! It is worth investing your time. You can gift it to your friends who would thank you forever.
Professor M.S.Rao – Author of 13 leadership books including ‘Soft Leadership – Make Others Feel More Important’
Blog: http://profmsr.blogspot.com Where Knowledge is Wealth
Blog: http://professormsraoguru.blogspot.com Knowledge Grows When Shared
Speaker Wiki: http://speakerwiki.org/speakers/Professor_MSRao
LinkedIn: http://in.linkedin.com/pub/prof-m-s-rao/13/202/906
alex morales said
Hi chris.
I would like to know when your next seminar/ convention will be and where? Thanks for all you do..