Meet STEVEN FOSTER

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful STEVEN FOSTER a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

STEVEN, 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?
It took a while.

I’ve always been a “Jack of All Trades, Master of None,” moving frequently from bucket list items and passion pursuits. What I have learned along the way is there are always opportunities to dive deeper and explore further, to develop yourself through intentional skill-building, continuing education or, more often than not, the influence of great mentors.

I was fortunate to be a member of a military family, so I always saw the impact of selfless service up close (though I didn’t always practice the lesson)). Throughout my career, and certainly at those critical “fork in the road moments,” the individuals and organizations who were purposeful in their pursuit of giving back in the communities where they live, work and meet were always the most inspiring to me. I came to understand that they are those who believe they can and those who believe they can’t; and both are absolutely right. So, I choose to be purposeful in my action and intent to do good, however and whenever I can.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am Managing Partner of Foster+Fathom, a Leadership and Goodness Development Group in Dallas, TX. As a speaker, author, business consultant and bucket-filler, as well as Harley-Davidson LIFE Member, I use my lifelong passion for riding motorcycles as teachable roadmap is to help organizations and individuals “Fuel their Ride” with Passion, Power, and Purpose. You might say I am “One Man on One Motorcycle on One “Full-Throttle Mission.

In 2013, I had the opportunity to embark on a 13,000-Mile, 34-Day, 34-State solo motorcycle ride around the perimeter of the United States to support the Boot Campaign, a national veterans’ service organization. While the road trip began as a personal “bucket list” item, it also completely reaffirmed and refocused my commitment to create opportunities for others to find their own passion for Doing Good.

That journey also became the subject of my first book, “Full-Throttle Leadership: Passion, Power & Purpose on the Edge of America,” which was published in 2021.

That same year, to ensure the “Ride” would continue, I partnered with a good friend and fellow military family member, Rowan Pickering, to launch the “2 Guys Doing Good” Team-Giving Initiative, endorsing “Doing Good as Good Business” to build high-performance culture, teamwork, and brand loyalty. Today, we work to align non-profit organizations and businesses in providing meeting and event attendees with regular opportunities to connect and become what we call, “Force Multipliers for Goodness” through facilitated team-giving programs and activations.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Be Kind. It costs absolutely nothing to be thoughtfully considerate, but it pays off in amazing ways.

2. Be Grateful. Acknowledge the MANY good things in your life, a lesson I learned on my ride along the edge of America.

3. Be Available: Opportunities have a way of presenting themselves to the ready. Trust me, you will enjoy life more.

Here’s a truth; NOBODY ever became ANYBODY without the help of SOMEBODY. We live in a busy and frenetic world, going 90-to-nothing every day, flat out. With all the technology available to us, we’re more connected than at any time in the history of the world. But also, less “in touch.”

So, look for those opportunities to make a difference in the life of those around you. You don’t have to look far, family, friends, colleagues, and co-workers. It doesn’t take a lot of time, talent, or treasure to change your piece of the world. It does take intentional action and it ALWAYS makes a difference.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I love this question!

I met Cavett Robert when I was 10 years old. He was a family friend and among the first generation of “motivational speakers.” I was absolutely enthralled, as were his audiences, with his command of a stage. He always told me “one day you will be a speaker” and even tried to convince me to intern with him once I graduated from high school. Of course, I declined. Cavett went on to establish the National Speakers Association, of which I am a member today, working in the field he always envisioned for me.

My first boss, Col. Edwin C. “Ned” Humphreys, JR. USAF, who I met in 1978 when he was publisher and editor of a small weekly newspaper in Mobile, Alabama.  I was armed with limited skills, boundless ego, and a ridiculous over-estimation of my abilities, completely unprepared for the job, but Col. Ned gave me a chance. He saw past the bravado to the possibilities.

A few years ago, I had a sign in our conference room. It read, “If you think you’re the smartest person in this room, you’re in the wrong room.”  I have learned (and am still learning at age 67) that I don’t have to be the person with all the answers, I don’t have to be the first to speak and I certainly don’t need to take credit for any success I’ve “achieved” in my career. I am the product of the people and the organizations that have invested in me; we all are. No matter where you are going, on a bike or in business, each one of us needs help along the way. None of us becomes successful by ourselves, and anyone who says different is just arrogantly wrong.

I completely reject the “been there, done that, got here on my own” attitude we experience all the time from so many. If you’ve “been there” someone pointed the way. And if you’ve “done “that” someone taught you how.

So, today ask yourself,

1. Where are you going?

2. Who is coming along with you?

3. What do you need to get there?

4. And why does it matter?

Then start building your own personal and professional roadmap to get where you want to go. Be humble, grateful, and always prepared. That’s my roadmap for leadership success.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Photos by Foster+Fathom

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