Meet John Thompson III

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful John Thompson III a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

John , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
I grew up in a small town, Lone Pine, PA, which is in the country, thirty miles south of Pittsburgh. My sister and I were the only black kids in our elementary school and one of only a few in middle school and high school. Rarely did we walk into a room where someone looked like us. It would have been very easy to retreat to the corner of the room, thinking I didn’t belong. Rather than embrace that small mindset, I adopted the idea that I was the special one. My parents instilled in me the confidence to be comfortable in my own skin and recognize that I was different for a reason. Over the years, I have taken great pride in celebrating my differences and letting my brilliance and light shine through in all that I do.

Oscar Wilde reminded us to “be yourself because everyone else is taken”. I believe that each one of us is born with a special gift. Over the years, my focus has been less on me and where I fit in and more about sharing my gift with the world and helping others tap into their special gifts.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am passionate about helping others walk in purpose and inspired to reach their full potential. With over two decades of experience in sales and operations leadership with top Fortune 500 corporations, I have always been driven to inspire and motivate those around me to strive for greatness. My dream is to bring hope to millions around the world, which is why I founded Team ACES®, a coaching and consulting company that helps individuals and organizations develop success habits centered on the pillars of Attitude, Connection, Empowerment, and Strength (ACES).

Recently, I’ve been on a book tour in support of my latest book, Stack Your Deck: How to Be an ACE in Business & Life. It’s been an incredible experience meeting so many readers and signing books, and I’m proud of the positive impact it’s had on so many lives. The book is an inspiring and uplifting journey towards living your best life. It’s filled with practical tips and strategies for unlocking your full potential and achieving your goals, both in business and in life.

When I am not busy blazing the trail and coaching the next generation of leaders, I love nothing more than spending time with my family, hitting the links for a round of golf, or cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

If you’re ready to take your life and your career to the next level, come join me on this journey towards greatness. Let’s stack the deck in our favor and become ACES in business and life!

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?
The qualities that have been most impactful to my journey are outlined in my book Stack Your Deck, How to Be an ACE in Business & Life. I call these principles the ACES Pillars of Success™:

ATTITUDE, the ACE of Spades, is everything. It is the foundation for success or failure in anything you do. The good news is you have a choice each day regarding the attitude you will embrace for the day. Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react.

CONNECTION, the ACE of Clubs, is what keeps you grounded and on track along your success journey. Connection gives meaning and purpose to our lives and it’s something we can all cultivate. Jim Rohn explained that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. Choose your friends wisely.

EMPOWERMENT, the ACE of Hearts, is about recognizing and claiming your power within. Empowerment is about being confident in who you are, being true to yourself, and celebrating your freedom. It’s all about leading from love with love on the path to fulfilling your true destiny in life.

STRENGTH, the ACE of Diamonds, is all about overcoming the challenges we face in life. It’s not about the adversity we face but how we deal with the adversity that defines us. We can take the adversity like vitamins and allow it to build us up.

I recommend individuals embrace these pillars and incorporate them into how they live their lives each day.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I am incredibly grateful for the close circle of family and friends who help me stay humble, grounded and focused in life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their love and support.

My parents have been incredibly instrumental in my development from a child until present day. My father worked 38 years in the coal mine, often working 7-days a week, to provide for our family. Mom sacrificed her own career to stay home and raise me and my sister to be the strong, confident, motivated and caring individuals that we are.

As a father of two daughters, I have gained a tremendous appreciation for my parents and the love and support they have provided our family over the years. They have given me the blueprint of how I want to show up and serve the world.

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