JT Ayers-Passion Perspective Interview
JT’s journey of taking his passion for leadership and coaching and making it a tangible platform so he could share this passion with others began a few years ago. In his interview we asked him some questions about the development of his dream and we will share his responses here with you.
When asked how and when his passion began, JT answered, “An exceptional life and leadership coach decided to coach me in creating and following my passion of leadership. He guided me through the beginning steps and remains my friend and advisor. Basically one man, by God’s grace, decided to invest and mentor a younger leader trying to do it right.”
What were the steps you took to make it a reality? “I taught myself how to build websites. Then I learned how to create a business. Every step I asked people for help. After taking many people to lunch and asking a lot of questions CoachAyers.com became a reality.”
We asked JT what sets his website apart from other leadership websites and what makes CoachAyers.com special and he responded, “CoachAyers.com is a platform that reaches a very broad audience of freshman in high school to retired adults. Some are Believers and some are not. It is very practical and is the only website that I write for. Honesty, I don’t think it really is that special. I had a desire to invest in the lives of those that I had the opportunity to lead. It is impossible to be with my assistant coaches, students, captains for my track team as much as I feel necessary. CoachAyers.com gives people an opportunity to learn at their own pace and time frame. Along the way, the website picked up more followers and I am honored to research and write for anyone interested. However, at the very core of the material is a coach just trying to get better at the mission I have been given.”
We then asked JT about is long term goals and how the website/coaching/gospel coaching vision has changed or expanded. “I would like to continue to build the website and platform. I have small children and one day I would like to have a comprehensive curriculum for them to help give them the opportunity to be better leaders. The vision really hasn’t ever changed. The focus is simple. Help people become better leaders.”
We talked to JT about how he promotes his website and if he has made any marketing mistakes. “I really write what I am learning. I have met and learned from extremely smart social marking experts and decided that it was not worth spending a lot of time investing in advertising. I have marketed to my coaches, students, friends, and other leaders in the area. From there, through forwarding emails, twitter, facebook, and guest posting on other Leaders websites I have generated a little bit of a following. I have not taken full advantage of Twitter, Facebook, or any other social networking sites. I understand that there is a lot of potential, however my mission is not to generate a following but to help leaders become better. At the very core of all this work, this website is keeping me accountable with my own leadership work.”
We asked JT how his faith has played a part of this journey and what unexpected blessings have come from him pursuing his passion in a tangible way? “Without faith all of this would have been impossible. Everything that I research or write is a direct reflection of the faith I have in my life. Jesus is the ultimate leader; his example continues to give me focus and purpose in my own mission. The gifts that I have are his anyways. I am honored I am allowed to use them.” The blessing is that “people find what I am writing interesting. I have also been coaching and the business is thriving.
We wanted to know how this process or pursuing his passion has influenced JT in his own personal life so we asked him about:
Tips you would want to share with others-“Living a life of purpose is a worthy endeavor. I believe it is worth your time to find ways to live more on mission.”
Positives and negatives while pursuing your dream–
“Positive: This keeps me accountable in my own leadership.
Negative: It is a lot of work. It takes about 2-3 hours of research per post and another hour to write.”
Wisdom you have gained personally-“Every post is something that has or is very meaningful to me. This outlet helps me grow as a leader.”
How you have grown-“This website/business has forced me to be diligent in my pursuit of growing into a better leader. I have enjoyed the process.”
JT’s favorite book on leadership development is written by his good friend, Dave Kraft, called Leaders that Last. This is the book we are giving away to the winner of our giveaway so please enter to WIN!
Check back tomorrow to experience some of JT’s favorite posts and remember to enter our giveaway.
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to win Coach Ayers’ favorite leadership book “Leaders Who Last” by Dave Kraft