Tag: Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks Was Not, Was She?

Rosa Parks was not out to win a popularity contest.  Was she?

She also was not the first to refuse to give up her bus seat for a white man.  But thank goodness she did on December 1, 1955.  She was 42.

  • Where did her courage come from?
  • Why did she demonstrate it?
  • Did she have a plan?
  • What was she prepared to give up?
  • What did she think she’d gain?
  • Was she scared?

Rosa Parks is one of my heros, inspiring  me to use courage for the right reasons.  So today I commit to asking  the same questions.

And, by the way, it’s not a popularity contest.  Courage rarely makes you popular until years later.

On Startups.com

OnStartUps. Ever heard of them?  Click here to see a list of entrepreneurs that are changing things.

Many years ago, I found myself driving Ken Blanchard to the airport. We had 30 minutes to talk.  And I was smart enough, even back then, to do most of the listening.  One of the things that has stayed with me all these years was something very simple that Ken Blanchard said:

“You can watch the parade.  You can march in the parade.  Or, you can lead the parade”.

I think about hometown Halloween parades this time of year, with High School Marching Bands and Drum & Bugle Corps.  Do you?  Can you picture watching a home town parade?  Ever march in one?  Ever lead one?

Entrepreneurs change things.  And they are leaders.  Remember Rosa Parks.  I’d like to testify that Rosa Parks was an entrepreneur.   “I rest my case, your honor”.

How big are your dreams?  How much courage (guts) do you possess?  What are you gonna do today?