Jason Patterson - From Your Biggest Fan: Discovering the Potential of Those We Love and Lead

Discovering the Potential
of Those We Love and Lead

Jason Patterson

Copyright 2022 by Jason Patterson

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Threeleaf Publishing LLC.

ISBN 978-1-957690-01-8

Subjects: ReligionChristian LivingInspirational

First Edition

Cover design by Todd Neilson

For Andrea

There is unseen God-given potential in every person. Few fully discover and fulfill it in their lifetime, but it doesnt have to be this way. In From Your Biggest Fan, Jason shows us how we can cultivate our influence in the lives of those we love and lead and deploy it like Jesus wouldfor the benefit of everyone but ourselves.

Through powerful storytelling, a razor-sharp wit, and personal vulnerability, Jason lays out a new mindset that opens our eyes to the wonders woven into every person and candidly shares his own struggles with insecurity, negativity, and other obstacles that can rob us of the ability to champion those around us.

Helping others realize their God-given potential is easier than we imagine. With the simple habits provided in this book, we can become the biggest fans of our families, friends, staff, co-workers, and classmates, helping them discover their true worth and championing their God-given dreams.

Ive never been one for titles, though Ive had a few along the way, like lawyer, diplomat, and entrepreneur. Unfortunately, those werent getting me invited to as many parties as Id like, so I summarized them into Chief of Fun and Whimsy. Not long ago, I boiled it down to Chief Balloon Inflator because every shindig needs one of those. What Ive been learning is titles dont mean as much as we might imagine. The truth is, we already have the best one well ever get: friend. Its not only the one Jesus gave us; its the one that guarantees well be invited to celebrate with those we love.

Thats my kind of title.

Having the chance to be friends with someone means a lot of beautiful things. One of them is that we have a little bit of influence with them. We might have other titles in peoples lives that give us some clout, like boss, coach, or dad. Whatever the reason, weve all got influence with someone. The question is how well are we using it?

Theres incredible potential in everyone. Jesus is the one who put it there. Thats why its worth rethinking how well were helping others to discover it. If we will, every day can become like a party because were championing the potential in others and celebrating themnot so much for what theyve accomplished, but for who theyre becoming. That doesnt mean it will be easy or that we wont have tough conversations as we speak the truth in love. It will just be worth it.

The message of this book is powerful not only because it can make our lives better, but because it can change the lives of those we love most. Its message isnt just one we need to hear. Its the one our kids and spouses need us to grasp. The lives of our neighbors, co-workers, and friends will be better if we use our influence to help them discover who Jesus made them to be.

Jason wrote From Your Biggest Fan because hes convinced being the champion of everyone around you is the most enjoyable way to live and lead. It helps us to focus on others the way Jesus did and be more mindful of the wonder He has woven into each of us.

Jason is calling us to be each others biggest fans. Im one of his, and yours too.

Becoming the champion of those we love is a journey worth taking. Im in the crowd of people cheering you on. Look for me; Ill be the one handing out balloons.

Bob

This is a book about leadership, but not organizational leadership. John Maxwell and Patrick Lencioni have that category locked down anyway. This is about what we might call relational leadership. Its about the influence we all have in the lives of others and learning how to deploy it using the selfless life of Jesus as a model. He is the first and last biggest fan leader and our ultimate example. This book offers a mindset for leadership that can be applied within any model or organization whether youre at home or in the office, in an entry level position or at the top. Its inclusive and simple, and therefore deceptively powerful.

The longer I live the more passionate I become about helping others discover who God truly made them to be. I hope you fall in love with the beauty of uncovering the hidden wonder in those around you. As you do, youll also wind up realizing who you are in profound, beautiful, and surprising ways because God works through the principle of sowing and reaping. What you do for others, God will do for you.

For readers whose faith in Jesus is the center of their lives, the biblical underpinning for the mindset this book argues we adopt is Ephesians 2:10 (my life verse!). Our focus in the pages ahead is only the first sentence of that verse, which is set up in the first chapter. Everything that follows is how we must live and lead if we want to help others discover the truth of what God says about us in this powerful scripture. While its not the subject of this book, the rest of what is taught in Ephesians 2:10 is vitally important for a full understanding of the truth, and is thoroughly treated in the Bible study that accompanies this book.

This book isnt just about what I believe; its my own journey as well. I chose to write the book this way because I feel my struggles with insecurity and negativity, among other things, would help better serve you as the reader. My desire is for you to find freedom knowing were all on the same journey and experience renewed hope that you can overcome the obstacles in your path as well.

Youll find several people throughout the book who inspired me to champion others better. Primarily my wifes grandpa, David Mainse, who was my hero. In many ways, this book is an act of love for him. He was very well-known among his own generation and throughout his home country of Canada, but most people today have never heard of him. I wrote this book to honor how he inspired me to live and lead, and to share him with the world. If you google his name, youll find endless videos of his television programming. Its outdated now and will come across as a bit cheesy at times, but he was the most incredible leader, genuine Christian, and loving family man I have ever known. I hope you enjoy meeting him in the pages that follow.

The Bible study, along with other resources to help you champion others, are available at biggestfanleaders.com.

Welcome to the journey of becoming the biggest fan of those you love and lead! Im so glad to be on it together.

Jason

A New Mindset

[T]hose who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.

George Bernard Shaw

The Fastest Man Alive

Growing up, Louie Zamperini lacked everything but trouble. He was born in 1917 into a poor family of Italian immigrants. Before his third birthday his parents packed up their few possessions and moved to the dry climate of Torrance, California. Louie would become infamous running the streets of that town, usually to avoid getting caught after stealing food, or some other kind of mischief. Eventually, Louies speed would find its way to the track and carry him to a fame no one could have imagined.