We recently had the chance to connect with Jon Antonucci and have shared our conversation below.
Jon, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
There have ABSOLUTELY been many times when I’ve been glad that I didn’t act fast!
In the professional development world, there are a number of providers who are very good at presenting themselves as the best while not necessarily delivering on most of their claims. There have been a number of times when I was almost convinced they were a good solution, only to delay my decision and discover I narrowly avoided losing a lot! It was nice to breathe a huge sigh of relief after realizing my determination to pause, research, and reflect resulted in me saving a TON of cash and quite a bit of time and frustration!
Sometimes, in business, we need to be able to act quickly.
Other times, we do well to pause and look at more of the information before making a decision!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I was brought up to value hard work and the entrepreneurial spirit was strong in me. I began my first business when I was seven years old—complete with fliers, shirts, and even paying taxes!
As I grew older, I found various ways to serve my community and therefore bring in revenue.
Additionally, I developed a talent for martial arts, and began teaching in my teens.
I experienced a great deal of success, providing martial arts classes for over 500 students by the time I was 19 years old and being able to have my own vehicle, residence, etc.
Unfortunately, my success was not commensurate with my maturity, and I made some exceedingly regrettable decisions just prior to my 20th birthday. My choices had a major impact on my life-path and forced me to reckon with a severe lack of good character. Thankfully, this transformative time provided me with a tremendous opportunity for personal growth and ultimately helped me to understand true leadership that served others from a heart of love.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My father taught me the most about work. As a bi-vocational pastor, he worked up to three jobs at a time in order to ensure that our family of 7 always had food on the table. He is also the one who helped me understand the concept of value-adding and always asking what we could GIVE before trying to receive.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
I change my mind often…although there is probably evidence that it is not often enough.
But, ultimately, I want to be open-minded enough to always listen to understand and be willing to have my ideas challenged.
This is how growth happens and, if I am not changing my mind, I am probably stunting my own growth and development.
Part of this includes being quick to acknowledge when I am wrong about something or someone. That is probably what has happened most recently!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is the real me.
You can ask anyone who is around me often… I am the same person.
I think that the people who know me the best are often surprised because (as they often say), I am always “on”. But it is authentic. Living a life of intentionality and excellence is something that it important to me whether I am in the spotlight or the shadows.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I think that I have a unique perspective on succession planning.
My journey has included several instances in which I could be gone any day. This was a phenominal way to help me to understand the calue of always ensuring others were being developed into leaders who were able to carry on the mission of what we were working on.
There is no room for ego in succession planning.
There is no room for selfishness either.
If we want the work to continue, we have to recognize that it is so much greater than ourselves and work to build up others who can and will carry it forward!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jonantonucci.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-antonucci/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@servantmindedleadership
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