Jones Loflin - Always Growing

Always Growing serves as a poignant reminderthat all relationships business as well as personal are livingthings. As such, following a proven regimen of care and nurturingis essential to their continued success. The books practical andwell-explained analogies are helpful for leaders in anycircumstance. Additionally, the use of relatable characters andscenarios makes the book an absolutely enjoyable read. For both newand experienced leaders alike, this book is an eye-opener to theboundless possibilities of intentional leadership!

Leslie C. Cooper, Esq.

Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer

Pretrial Services Agency for the District ofColumbia

Anyone in a leadership role will benefit fromAlways Growing. Its an effortless read introducing concepts(and reinforcing existing ones) on how to powerfully manage ateam.

Craig Mueller

Manager, Coach: Training & Development

Tractor Supply Company

Jones Loflin has impressive and entertainingmessages that all individuals in any line of business or walk oflife MUST hear.

Kathi Newman

CMPE and President

Medical Group Management Association of Utah

Copyright 2017 by Jones Loflin

All rights reserved.

Book design by Daniel Ruesch

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CONTROL NUMBER: 2016916101

ISBN 978-0-9766882-4-2

Also available in hardcover (ISBN978-0-9766882-3-5)

Smashwords License Statement

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoymentonly. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.If you would like to share this book with another person, pleasepurchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are readingthis book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for youruse only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer andpurchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work ofthis author.

For more information on keynotes and trainingprograms related to Always Growing:

800-853-4676

www.alwaysgrowingbook.com

We keep bringing in mechanics when what we needare gardeners. We keep trying to drive change when what we needto do is cultivate change.

PETER SENGE Author of The Fifth Disciplineand The Dance of Change

Before you are a leader, success is all aboutgrowing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all aboutgrowing others.

JACK WELCH Author and Former CEO of GeneralElectric

What was I thinking? Have I lost mymind? Have I doomed my career? These and more frantic thoughtsraced through Davids mind as he sped down the interstate. Hewanted to be excited but, after the initial meeting about his newjob, he wondered if he really had made the right decision.

David had been the go-to guy fortroubleshooting problems and finding solutions at Trendex. His hardwork, technical skills and attention to detail led to success inprevious positions. It seemed like he had the perfect situation that was, until he grew tired of the frequent travel, long hoursand inconsistent schedule.

David also sensed that he was ready forsomething more. In past roles, he typically worked alone,interacting with others only when necessary to solve a problem orget more information. In his work with Trendex and its customers,he encountered teams that really seemed to know how to get thingsdone. David admired the men and women who led such teams andwondered if he could become that kind of leader.

His desire to take his career in a newdirection led David to apply for a division manager position at theTrendex facility on the east coast, even though it would requirerelocating his family. He knew it was a long shot, but a recentreorganization had created several vacancies.

To his surprise, David got the job. While hewouldnt start the new position until next month, the company askedhim to visit the facility today to get a better understanding ofits operations and his team.

In talking with the vice president of hisdivision, David discovered the group he was now responsible for hadbeen plagued by poor leadership. The company had overlooked itspoor performance in the past but, with the uncertain economy, therewere no guarantees. David knew that if he didnt get his teammoving in the right direction fast, he might be out of a job.

Davids biggest realization to this pointwas that it was going to be incredibly difficult to get his workdone AND figure out how to best help his team members get theirwork done too. David thought to himself, If Im feeling this waybefore I start, whats it going to be like when its forreal?

Davids reflection about this season ofchange in his life brought him back to thoughts of his family. Thenew job at Trendex required David to relocate and, while he wasexcited about the possibility of new beginnings, the uncertainty ofit all was a bit overwhelming. He sighed and thought, Ashley isalready in middle school, and Emma is turning 5 next month. Davidknew that there were some things he just didnt want to miss as adad. Ive got to make this new direction work out, he murmured tohimself.

And then there was his amazing wife, Amy.Time with her was always too short. Her success as a teacher waswell-known, but her long hours and their joint responsibilities asparents only further limited their ability to grow in theirrelationship as a couple. These days, it seemed as if they spent alot more time reflecting on how good things used to be,before life got so crazy. Unfortunately, the new job and the movewere adding even more stress to their relationship.

David exited the interstate and turned leftat the intersection. The two-lane road with minimal traffic gavehim a moment to relax and enjoy the view of familiar rolling hills.Stopping for a moment to get out and stretch, he took in the chillyfresh air as he stood up and thought, This trip back to where Igrew up is just what I need to clear my head. After a few moments,he got back behind the wheel and chuckled, Kelly is going to be sosurprised.

Kelly and David grew up like typicalsiblings, even though they were nine years apart. They fought oneminute and were inseparable the next. He laughed out loud thinkingabout some of the pranks and practical jokes they had pulled oneach other.

He and Kelly remained close through his highschool years but began to drift apart after their mom lost herbattle with cancer and their dad took a job in another state.Davids career had taken him to the west coast, leaving littleopportunity to return to where he grew up. Despite good intentions,visits occurred only about once a yearbut that was about tochange.

Davids new job was at the Trendex facilityabout an hour from Kelly and her husband Michaels home. David waslooking forward to seeing Kelly more often because moments with herwere never dull, and she always seemed to have time to engage inmeaningful conversation. As he turned right at the Kellys Placesign, rows of apple trees and open fields reminded him of one ofher true passions.