We caught up with the brilliant and insightful James Keyes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
James, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Walking across campus at Columbia University, I came across a student wearing a t-shirt that said: Education is Freedom. I was the CEO of 7-Eleven…there to teach a class on leadership. The t-shirt stopped me in my tracks. I realized at that moment, that education was the key to unlocking opportunity that took me from poverty to prosperity. Education was the key to unlocking opportunity. I also realized at that moment that I wasn’t finished. My degree was basically a “license to learn”, but my learning must continue. I also realized the importance of sharing this message with others. This resulted in the creation of a foundation, a 501(c)3 called Education is Freedom. The foundation has changed the lives of over 500,000 young people by helping them see the power of learning. To expand the reach of this message, I have now released a book by the same name. The book is a roadmap for young people to address the “what, how, and why” of learning. It is also a call to action for society to recognize the power of learning to transform the future of humanity. I hope to make this important message a legacy that endures.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Former CEO of two fortune 500 companies…7-Eleven, and Blockbuster. Board member and advisor to public and private companies
Author
Artist
Musician
Pilot
Philanthropist
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Change: Learning to embrace change and that adversity makes us stronger. It isn’t the change, but rather our rasponse to change that separates winners from losers.
Confidence: A recognition that preparation leads to confidence. The ability to overcome fear is essential for our person success and for the future of humanity.
Clarity: The ability to take the complex and make it simple is an art. It requires clarity of communications inbound (via listening) and outbound (via speaking).
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
Lifelong learning is essential for the sustainability of democracy and for the future of humanity.. The ability to nurture critical thinking, curiosity and creativity is essential for a well rounded individual. While we should always focus on development of our strengths through our “depth” of knowledge, we must not do so at the expense of “breadth” of knowledge. As individuals, we can certainly focus on our strengths…but as citizens of the world we must interact with others. The ability to collaborate, to have cultural literacy, and to develop character…all require a breath of learning that allows us to move freely among anyone among us.
Contact Info:
- Website: jameswkeyes.com
- Instagram: jkeyesauthor
- Facebook: Jim Keyes
- Linkedin: james Keyes
- Twitter: jkeyesauthor
- Youtube: Jim Keyes
Image Credits
Jim Keyes
