I recently started reading Learning to Write by Jason E. Brooks, and if you’re an aspiring writer, add it to your Amazon cart right now. It’s practical, witty, and might just be the kick in the butt you need to actually sit down and write. I’ll save what I’m learning about writing for another post and instead focus on what we all (not just writers) can learn from the author.

I had the privilege of meeting Jason Brooks in 2021. Back then, Jason wrote content for John C. Maxwell and his various leadership organizations. He and I both worked at what is now known as Maxwell Leadership, where we connected via Zoom as part of my on-boarding process. I can still remember his kind, thin face and baseball cap in my computer screen. At the time, Jason was undergoing treatment for cancer. I remember thinking, “How is he fighting cancer right now and also so interested in me?”

During our meeting, Jason took notes of everything I said. I wasn’t saying anything profound, I was just telling him about myself – where I went to school, what I studied, what I was doing at Maxwell, etc. We chatted about my work and what I’d enjoyed so far. I told him I really enjoyed writing for social media and email marketing, and I felt like I was falling in love with the creative process for the first time. He wrote it all down in his notebook and then told me, “If you want to write, I’m sure I’ve got projects you can work on. Let me know.”

I didn’t take him up on it. I thought it would be rude to go over my director’s head to ask for work other than what I was being given. What a mistake that was. I missed out on not just work I’d actually enjoy and grow in, but I also missed out on knowing Jason.

When I think back to our meeting, there are two lessons I now take away:

1. Go after work you feel passionate about. Ask for more opportunities. And if someone opens a door for you, go through it. You’ll not only benefit from doing work you enjoy, but so will your company! They need employees who like to work and produce good results. If they’re growth-minded, they’ll help you get there. (The worst that can happen is you’re told “no.” If that happens, then you can decide if you’re where you need to be or if you need to make a change. At least you’ll know what you want!)
2. Be interested in other people. Ask questions (respectfully), even if it feels awkward. Jason made me feel incredibly important, but I’ve learned since then that Jason made everyone feel important. He had no motive other than making me feel seen for those 45 minutes, and now 2 years later, I still think about it. That’s the power of asking good questions and genuinely caring for the person sitting in front of you. It’s something we can all be better at.

Both of these lessons are difficult for me, and I’d guess for most people. You really have to believe in yourself first before you can do either:

1. You have to believe you’re worthy of pursuing your passion. You have to believe you have something to offer the world, or else the excuses of “they already did it” or “I don’t have anything new to say” or “what if people don’t like it” will win every time. (Side note: Jason addresses these so well in his book. If you struggle with these thoughts, get the book just for that chapter).
2. You have to believe in yourself to believe in others, too. No, you don’t have to be completely free of all insecurities (wouldn’t that be nice?), but you do have to be comfortable enough with yourself to be genuinely interested in other people. We’ve all been in that conversation that might as well have been a one-person podcast. When we know we’re okay, when we believe we’re enough, we make room for others.

If you told me a company-orientation meeting would help me learn these lessons, I’m not sure I’d believe you. Thankfully, Jason lived intentionally and took the opportunity to add value.

Unfortunately, I never told Jason how much our conversation meant to me. Jason lost his battle with cancer in 2022, but anyone who met Jason will tell you: his impact lives on. We all learned something from Jason, and because he followed his passion and believed in others, his impact will continue for generations.

Be a Jason for someone else this week.