Alex McElroy

Filling In The Gaps

Leaders Become Strong By Addressing Their Weaknesses

Sometimes, we can get so focused on seeing the weaknesses of others that we lose sight of our own development needs. However, before we look to develop others, it is wise to do our own personal inventory. What areas might be personally hindering your ability to lead? What gaps have you identified that might be diminishing your leadership capacity? Sometimes, we can get so focused on seeing the weaknesses of others that we lose sight of our own development needs. However, before we look to develop others, it is wise to do our own personal inventory. What areas might be personally hindering your ability to lead? What gaps have you identified that might be diminishing your leadership capacity?

MASTERY

In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell created the notion that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill. He claimed that anyone could achieve a level of proficiency that would rival that of a professional regardless of a person’s natural aptitude. Whether 10,000 hours is or isn’t enough, one thing is for sure, that it will take time to perfect your skill, gift, or talent. How many hours have you logged? Knowing your purpose is one thing. A commitment to honing your gift so that you can more effectively carry out your purpose is quite another thing.

MENTALITY

Our vacuum cleaner has a clear receptacle, allowing you to see the dirt, dust, and grime being removed from the floors as it vacuums. Every week after I vacuum the receptacle is full. Every week there is more dirt, dust and grime. Likewise, everyday we have the potential to pick up bad habits, or entertain things, thoughts, and temptations that may pollute our lives. We need to be cleansed of the harmful elements we consume on a daily basis. How do you regulate the thoughts that you think? Albert Einstein said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”

MORALITY

Is there a right and wrong way to fulfill your purpose in life? I know that seems like a simple question but if we look at our society it appears to be a very difficult question on which to reach consensus. I once heard Dr. Ravi Zacharias speak to the fact that we teach our college students that morality is relative and then they run businesses in an unethical manner we put them in jail. This seems backwards. But if there are no moral absolutes then we are left with only moral relativisms. Do you have absolutes that you will not violate? Righteous leaders do right even when everyone else is looking to the left.

Interview with Alex McElroy

How did you begin your speaking career?
I began my speaking career when the Youth Pastor couldn’t make it to service and asked me to fill in. It wasn’t the best introduction but it went very well.

What do you gain personally from being a public speaker?
Personally, it makes me feel good when I know I’ve helped someone answer a question they had or fill in a gap in how they were doing things. When I can help someone figure out his or her purpose in life or at least get him or her a few steps closer – that is the biggest gain for me.

What types of unique experiences have you had as a result of your profession?
You have to be able to adapt when you are a speaker, which means the room may not always look as you thought it would or the sound system may not work. I have taught in classrooms, churches, gymnasiums, and lecture halls but my focus is always the audience. I believe the uniqueness of each experience only adds to the experience itself.

Why do clients typically hire you to speak?
It depends on the client. Businesses typically would hire me for leadership advice or motivational speaking. Churches or ministries typically hire me to teach apologetics. All types of people and organizations hire me to speak about living the purpose you were designed to live.

Who or what inspires you most?
Other speakers and writers inspire me. I love to listen to Eric Thomas or Ravi Zacharias! As you can see my range of inspiration is very wide. I think it is important for myself to never think I have arrived. For this reason I read constantly and seek to learn and grow so that I stay permanently inspired.

How much does humor factor into your keynotes and other speaking engagements?
It definitely factors in. I think it is necessary in order to keep the audience engaged. I won’t be doing any stand-up specials any time soon but humor is definitely a part of what I do.