Podcast Summary
Embrace being multifaceted and disruptive: Identify as multifaceted individuals, embrace change, and use unique talents to touch people's lives.
Being disruptive means going beyond the ordinary and embracing new ways to solve problems, even if it means having a diverse range of talents and experiences. Glenn, a successful wrestler, actor, author, businessman, realtor, and mayor, embodies this mindset. He encourages us to identify as multifaceted individuals and not be defined by our jobs or careers. Glenn found joy and fulfillment in various stages of his life, from entertaining crowds as a wrestler to making an impact on his community as a mayor. His career transitions were driven by his curiosity and desire to make a difference. Ultimately, being disruptive is about embracing change and using our unique talents to touch people's lives.
Communication skills in entertainment industry essential for politics: Crafting resonant messages, flexibility, adaptability, having a goal, open to change, embracing unexpected opportunities, and learning from mistakes are keys to success in both entertainment and politics.
Communication skills learned in the entertainment industry have been instrumental in the speaker's ability to win political office and effectively carry out their duties. The ability to craft messages that resonate with the public is crucial in both industries, and flexibility and adaptability are essential in navigating unexpected challenges. The speaker emphasized that having a goal is important, but being open to change and embracing the unexpected twists and turns of life can lead to unexpected opportunities and successes. Despite the fear of failure, the speaker acknowledged that it is a natural part of life and that the ability to learn from mistakes and move forward is essential for growth and progress.
Embracing Failure for Growth: Failing is a natural part of life and can lead to unexpected opportunities and greater success. Always have a future plan and prepare for the end of a career or endeavor, but never give up and keep moving forward.
Failure is an essential part of growth and learning in life. It's important to step outside of our comfort zones and try new things, even if we're not fully prepared or may not succeed at first. Memorable failures can lead to unexpected opportunities and even greater success in the future. The speaker shared a personal experience of a football injury that ended his dreams of playing professionally, but ultimately led him to a career in professional wrestling. He emphasized the importance of having a future plan and preparing for the end of a career or a particular endeavor. The speaker's message is that no matter what happens, we should never give up and keep moving forward, as we never know what opportunities may come our way.
Don't let your career define you, explore beyond: Explore various possibilities, develop transferable skills, and focus on character and relationships for a fulfilling life beyond your career.
Athletes and individuals in the public eye should not limit themselves to their current profession and should focus on building a fulfilling life beyond their career. Don't let your career define you. Instead, explore various possibilities and develop skills that can be applied to multiple disciplines. Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000 hour rule still applies, but the underlying skills, such as interpersonal relationships, are transferable and crucial for success in various fields. Soft skills like character, integrity, and the ability to get along with others are essential and cannot be taught. The wrestling industry, for instance, has a rich history that started with carnivals and circuses and evolved into a massive brand. The business relies heavily on promotion and the ability to connect with fans, making interpersonal skills vital. Remember, your character and good relationships are more important than technical abilities.
WWE: A Global Entertainment Juggernaut: Vince McMahon's WWE is a global entertainment company that has mastered various technologies and platforms, kept up with industry trends, and prioritizes promotion, resulting in significant success and innovation.
Vince McMahon's WWE is a global, vertically integrated entertainment juggernaut that has mastered various technologies and delivery platforms throughout its history. McMahon's ability to anticipate trends, from pay-per-view to social media, has kept the company at the forefront of the industry. WWE's business model includes live touring, television production, and marketing, with a significant emphasis on promotion. For performers, the income is often skewed towards travel and promotion rather than the actual performance. McMachon's path to success was not straightforward, as he tried various wrestling characters before finding success with Kane. Early in his career, he worked for small companies, traveling long distances for minimal pay and attendance. Despite the challenges, McMahon's determination and vision led him to create one of the most successful and innovative entertainment companies in the world.
Overcoming failure through perseverance and positivity: Focus on contributing to your employer or company, maintain a positive attitude, and keep working hard despite setbacks to achieve success.
Perseverance and a positive attitude can lead to success, even after experiencing failures. The speaker, Glenn Jacobs, discussed his experiences in professional wrestling, where he encountered several unsuccessful characters, including "Diesel" and "The Diesel Guy," which were not well-received by audiences. However, he continued to work hard, maintain a good attitude, and prove his value to the company. Eventually, he was given the opportunity to play the character Kane, which became his biggest success. Jacobs emphasized the importance of focusing on what one can contribute to their employer or company, rather than just what they can get out of it. His wrestling career lasted almost 30 years due to a combination of luck, physical fitness, and a strong work ethic. Despite playing the character Kane for an extended period, he never lost sight of himself and was grateful that he wasn't Kane in real life. Jacobs' mayoral role is another testament to his ability to persevere and make a positive impact.
Managing a city as a mayor involves a blend of business, service, and politics: Mayors must effectively manage departments, address community issues, and make policy decisions while focusing on unity and positive change.
Being a mayor involves a significant blend of business management, public service, and politics. The role requires having a vision for the future and effectively implementing it through various departments, and dealing with the public and media. However, the day-to-day responsibilities can vary greatly, from addressing community issues like mental health services and jail overcrowding, to attending holiday events and meetings with department heads. The mayor's job is to ensure the business of providing services is run efficiently and effectively, while also making important policy decisions that can impact the community. Despite the challenges, the mayor expressed a desire to focus on ideas rather than personalities and divisiveness in politics. When he took office, his priorities included addressing mental health and substance misuse issues in the community.
Addressing mental health, substance misuse, and workforce development: Improving mental health, tackling substance misuse, and preparing the workforce for the global economy are vital for addressing societal issues and attracting investment.
Addressing mental health and substance misuse, as well as preparing the workforce for the rapidly evolving global economy, are crucial for solving various societal issues such as jail overcrowding and homelessness. Companies now prioritize talent over location when deciding where to invest, so improving and tailoring the workforce to meet the needs of the 21st century is essential. Glenn also shared that he would wrestle anyone for good odds and tries to ignore critics rather than engaging with them. The toughest opponent he faced in the ring was The Undertaker.
Overcoming fear and taking ownership: Embrace self-responsibility, learn from failures, communicate effectively, and encourage early childhood literacy.
Overcoming fear of failure and taking ownership of one's life are crucial for personal growth and success. This was a common theme in the discussion, with the speaker sharing his experiences of dealing with fear in his wrestling career and business ventures. He emphasized the importance of self-responsibility and learning from both successes and failures. Another key takeaway was the importance of effective communication and listening to each other, as mentioned in response to the question about what's wrong with the world that he'd love to change. The speaker also encouraged the audience to check out his book, "Mayor K in my Life and Wrestling and Politics," which is available on various online retailers and offers insights into his experiences in WWE and politics. Additionally, he discussed his passion for the Read City USA initiative, which aims to encourage early childhood literacy in Knox County.
Reading Around the World 20 Times: A Community Challenge: Businessman and politician Glenn Jacobs aims to read 500,000 hours collectively with his community, traveling virtually around the world to learn about different cultures and improve reading skills.
Glenn Jacobs, a successful businessman and politician, is embarking on an ambitious reading challenge for himself and his community. They aim to read around the world 20 times, which equates to 500,000 hours collectively. This initiative is inspired by a desire to learn about different cultures and improve reading skills. Jacobs encourages everyone to join him on this journey, which will include traveling around the world virtually. You can follow his progress on social media platforms like Twitter (@GlennJacobsTN), Instagram, and Facebook (Knox County Mayor Mary Glenn Jacobs). This endeavor serves as a powerful reminder that with dedication and a clear goal, one can accomplish anything they set their mind to. Jacobs' story is a testament to the power of setting ambitious goals and the benefits of continuous learning.