We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joe Forte a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Joe, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I found my purpose through an unexpected encounter in my men’s group. When a fellow member asked about my life’s mission statement, it initially caught me off guard. His own mission statement, to be a “warrior of light,” struck a chord within me, sparking a realization about the absence of such clarity in my own life. Reflecting on this, I realized the importance of having a personal mission statement akin to those of businesses and organizations.
After a night of deep contemplation, I crafted my mission statement: “To travel far and wide and touch many lives along the way.” This statement perfectly encapsulates my passion for travel and my desire to make a positive impact on others. Setting this mission in stone solidified my sense of purpose.
For the past eight years, I’ve remained steadfast in pursuing my goal of visiting one new international country annually. Each journey not only satisfies my wanderlust but also allows me to connect with diverse cultures and touch lives in meaningful ways.
With my mission statement guiding me, I now approach life with a clear sense of direction. It enables me to discern which roles and opportunities align with my ultimate purpose, empowering me to make a difference wherever I go.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I was born and raised in Peekskill, New York, but my journey truly began when I enlisted in the US Navy after high school. Serving as an Information System’s Technician for four years, I found myself at an Army base in Southern Arizona for a communications course. It was there that I felt the pull towards education, ultimately leading me to Arizona State University.
Graduating in 2010 with a degree in small business and communications, I embarked on a new chapter alongside my college roommate, who had started a video production company. Recognizing his talent and the potential of the business, I proposed becoming his partner. Over a decade later, our company has seen consistent growth, collaborating with major corporations like Amazon, Intel, and Chipotle to produce compelling content.
In 2020, I felt a calling to give back to my community, leading me to establish Keep Tempe Beautiful, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the beauty and sustainability of my city. Through our efforts, we’ve made significant strides, from cleaning up over 16,000 pounds of trash to planting 100 trees and mobilizing volunteers for over 8,200 community service hours.
This commitment to service has propelled me into various leadership roles within the community. I currently serve as a commissioner on the City of Tempe Development Review Commission and sit on the boards of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe and Tempe Sister Cities, while also being an ambassador of the Arizona Sister Cities.
Looking ahead, I am driven to continue making a positive impact. My next endeavor involves running for Tempe City Council in the upcoming cycle, allowing me to further serve and advocate for the needs of my community. My journey has taught me the power of collaboration, perseverance, and the importance of giving back, and I’m excited to see where it leads next.
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?
Looking back on my journey, I attribute much of my success to three key qualities: positivity, resilience, and being action-oriented.
Firstly, maintaining a positive mindset has been crucial. In the face of challenges and setbacks, having a positive outlook not only keeps you motivated but also opens your eyes to opportunities that may otherwise go unnoticed. My advice to those starting out is to cultivate positivity by practicing gratitude, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and reframing setbacks as learning experiences.
Secondly, resilience has been essential. No journey is without its obstacles, but what matters most is how you respond to them. Resilience is about bouncing back from setbacks, staying focused on your goals, and persevering through difficult times. To develop resilience, embrace failures as stepping stones to success, build a strong support network, and practice self-care to maintain your mental and emotional well-being.
Lastly, being action-oriented has been instrumental in moving my journey forward. It’s not enough to just have dreams and plans; you must take consistent action to turn them into reality. Overthinking and procrastination can be major roadblocks, so my advice is to break tasks down into smaller, manageable steps and take decisive action towards your goals every day. Remember, progress is made through consistent effort and action.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
The book that has played the most important role in my development is “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” by John C. Maxwell. Among the many valuable nuggets of wisdom it offers, a few that have had a significant impact on me include the Law of Influence, which emphasizes the importance of leading by example rather than relying solely on authority; the Law of the Lid, which highlights how our effectiveness as leaders is limited by our level of personal growth; and the Law of Navigation, which underscores the importance of vision and planning in guiding a team or organization toward success. These insights have helped shape my approach to leadership and have guided me in my personal and professional growth journey.
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D-MAK Productions
