Ep. 4 - "What Gets In The Way Becomes The Way" - An Interview With Thought Leader Jess Villegas

In this episode, Jess shares his perspective on "what gets in the way becomes the way". He illustrates how mental models, habits, and assumptions can limit our view of the possibilities in our life. He shares some of his most impressionable life experiences (as a parent, a leader, an entrepreneur, and a CEO) and how these experiences have shaped his thinking and way of being in the world.

Jess’ keeps in mind two things that reflect his personal philosophy. 1) A quote by Marcus Aurelius, "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” , and 2) His personal mantra - Release, Receive and Deliver. When we learn to release and detach from assumptions we hold about ourselves and life, we can allow ourselves to receive what serves the greater good. It is then we can choose and own what we deliver and bring our best self to the world.

Listen in to hear Jess’ story and the pearls of wisdom he shares to include:

1. Leading for the rest of us
2. His anchoring principles or What would Marcus Aurelius Say? 
3. Effect of "Story" through the years - What we tell ourselves and others
4. Key roles of adapting and/or adopting a culture
5. Success Key - treat every moment as a "Sacred Event"
6. Paying attention to life's triggers for change
7. Overcoming malaise or getting past obstacles

Tools for intentional living for Jess:

1. Meditation
2. Yoga
3. A mantra of Release, Receive and Deliver
4. Remembering that everything is temporal

Book recommendations from Jess:

1. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey
2. Healing the Heart of Democracy - Parker J. Palmer
3. The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz
4. A Mindful Nation - Tim Ryan
5. Seeing Systems by Barry Oshry 
6. Ervin Lazlo books on Systems Thinking

Jess’ Blog post mentioned on the show: 

• Jess’ Blog post – How Clearly Can You See Your Moonshot?

Contact Info:

1. Linked in - Jess Villegas
2. Website - www.LeadingConceptsGroup.com

More Info:

Jess Villegas is the Principal of Leading Concepts Group a, business consulting firm assisting small and medium-sized businesses in the areas of strategy, leadership, and management development.  He is also the CEO of Clowe & Cowan, a water infrastructure and technology company based in the southwest. 

Jess leverages personal, leadership, financial and operational skills and philosophies to drive individual and organizational success. He’s the architect of a unique organizational leadership application called “Leading For The Rest of Us”, which is designed to elevate the influence of individuals who seek to be impactful in their organizations, but who do not necessarily have a formal title.  

Jess' business philosophy is to raise awareness of mental processes and habits that limit organizational growth, facilitate more constructive patterns of thinking, and champion the concepts that how we are being in a business fundamentally impact how we are acting in a business.

Music by Jonn Serrie

Website: http://www.thousandstar.com/

Record Labels and Links to Jonn’s Music: Valley Entertainment and New World Music