We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eric Elliott a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Eric, really appreciate you joining us to talk about a really relevant, albeit unfortunate topic – layoffs and getting fired. Can you talk to us about your experience and how you overcame being let go?
While working as a software tester Contractor, I’ve experienced several terminations. Each time it occurred I was determined to find redemption. No options- that time would have to be productive. During one such transition I spent 4 months working at Nordstrom working in Men’s Fashion and at UPS as a package delivery assistant. That was so humbling because those two jobs combined provided less than 1/3 of my prior income. Out of those times came a greater ability to relate to others.
During another such layoff I wrote my first book Onward to Manhood. It articulates how to establish Godly masculinity. That life milestone might have never occurred otherwise. I expressed gratitude to those who decided to cut project funding so I could have that pocket of time.
What’s true for me is certainly true for you every layoff has a lift off built within. Explore, create, reach out, pray and connect until that layoff time serves a valuable lesson.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I treasure life! I am Eric Elliott husband of 1, father of 2 young adults, and enthusiastically surrendered follower of Christ who happens to be a Purpose Coach. My goal is to help ambitious men faith to exchange the corporate climb for their courageous calling by helping them to build a rewarding business which amplifies the influence, until it becomes a lasting impact.
Products and services include impact speaking, the book onward to manhood and coaching involves a signature process
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Vision, tenacity and community (of experts & peers) are the three which come to mind.
Develop the ability to cultivate vision, so that you and your circle of influence has the chance select the things they want instead of settling for whatever is left over. Vision reaches past the repetitive reality of today and brings closer something more meaningful. Know that tenacity is the bridge, which takes you from the mental image of vision to its fulfillment. Tenacity is needed because you will encounter resistance equal to or greater than your vision. Because of the difficulties along the way you will have to be reminded of exactly what that vision is. The only way to achieve something meaningful is in collaboration with experts and peers. Expertise is a great time saver while peers who collaborate is a labor reducer.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The longer I live, the more grateful I am for my parents! One thing they did (which I did not understand until much later) is expose me to some of the polar opposites of life. By doing so I learned to -in a sense speak multiple languages.
I would spend my of summers with family members who lived in public housing where roaches would greet us when we got there. My parents also had friends with horses on their property and a Lexus & Jaguar in the driveway- we hung out there several time a year. That allowed me the opportunity to learn greatly from those in lack and those in luxury,
In addition, they put me in all black and all white environments, so that I would intimidated by neither and comfortable in both. I attended prestigious, academic summer camps at primarily white colleges and then later on in the summer attend vacation Bible school in the heart of the city, where on occasion the police would show up during church service to make an arrest.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.EricJElliott.com
- Instagram: @LegacyLaunchCodes
- Facebook: Eric Elliott
- Linkedin: Eric Elliott
