Jennings Sunday: Seymour native heads motivational initiative
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SEYMOUR resident Chad Malone always knew he wanted to be a speaker to help teach and train others.
But what the 35-year-old didn’t know was that desire would lead to not only the creation of a leadership group but also a book and a leadership seminar in his hometown.
Six years ago, Malone began corporate and motivational training, teaching others about empowering their peers to see results in the workplace, school or home.
Malone said he has taught groups in and out of Jackson County, from high school groups to individuals working in corrections. In speaking about finding and using passion to excel, he said he always hoped people would do more than just listen to him.
“I want people to take the things I say and apply them,” Malone said. “Not just ‘ooh and ahh’ but actually go out and do something with it.”
Through preparing lessons of encouragement and using passions, Malone started gathering lessons he had used for speaking and began putting them together for a book. But things didn’t come together right away.
“I had things all over the place,” he said.
A year ago, Malone ran into a friend who he had told about the book before. His friend asked about the book, but Malone told him it was unfinished.
“He told me, ‘Next time I see you I want to see that book,’” he said.
That forced him to get to work. The result? Malone’s book “Finding Your Passion From the Inside Out” will debut March 23.
“I never thought I’d be an author,” Malone said. “I’m just a small person from Seymour, Indiana, but I was willing to take a risk.”
But Malone is doing more than bringing his work together for a book. Just last year, he gathered four colleagues to form Best Foot Forward Seminars, a group that has traveled the country, teaching groups about empowerment.
One of those colleagues is Hayden Baptist Church pastor Mark Sorrells of North Vernon. Sorrells also has worked in leadership development and training and has authored the book “Understanding Your Role as a Leader.”
Malone said that after meeting Sorrells they came to realize they share similar views, and Malone invited him to be a part of his movement.
“I’m thrilled to be partnered up with this gentleman,” Sorrells said of Malone. “I’m very impressed with his vision and his ability to see the big picture.”
The other three members of Best Foot Forward Seminars are Lisa Schaefer of Platteville, Wis., Bryan Flanagan of Baton Rouge, La., and Terry Robbins of North Vernon.
Malone will bring his group home later in March for the Empower Your Community Conference.
The conference is open to any individual or organization in Jackson County and will show how leadership can help a community grow.
“Hopefully they’ll take away a hunger or renewed hunger to move forward professionally and help their organizations and the community that they would be empowered,” Sorrells said.
Malone, who holds a master’s degree in business management, said the conference’s goal is that participants will not be the same as when they came in.
“We’re all on a journey,” Malone said. “If we can put the best foot forward, the potential we all have is great if we choose to use it.”
Malone currently serves as an adjunct professor for both Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana University and Trine University. He teaches business and communication courses.
Malone also is a John Maxwell certified team member and has been involved in the Ziglar Corp., founded by Zig Ziglar, the author, salesman and motivational speaker who passed away in 2012.
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