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The Boys Club

The Boys' Club

Defining Moments from the Life of John Gronski
There are events in life that reach the level of defining moments. These are moments or timeframes that teach a lesson and generally build confidence in some way. I remember first visiting the Scranton Boys Club when I was about 14 years old. I was a freshman in high school. I grew up just outside of the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania. I played basketball with a group of friends every winter at the Scranton Boys Club from my freshman through my senior year of high school. I was a poor basketball player, possessing very little athleticism, but I loved playing at the Boys Club with my friends. I had grown up in a mostly white community. Playing at the Boys Club opened the door to friendships with a more diverse group of people. This was a formative step in my youth that began to open my eyes to the world beyond my neighborhood. The reason this experience at the Scranton Boys Club was a defining moment in my life is because it was the first time I found that I had the ability to make friends and develop a network outside of my family, neighborhood, and school. To a small-town boy like me, the city of Scranton was bigtime. As it turned out, I developed long term friendships with adult staff at the Boys Club and felt it was an institution that I could go back to rekindle friendships, even after being away for years at a time. Establishing those friendships with people who were clearly outside of my tribe gave me a tremendous amount of confidence to spread my wings and begin to branch out from my hometown of about 3,000 people. I learned lessons about relating to people and how to make friends at that Boys Club, and perhaps, more importantly, I gained confidence that I could make new friends, even with others who grew up with experiences different from mine. I learned that for the most part, all people have similar wants and needs. Most people want to be liked. They want to make new friends. People reciprocate when they are treated with kindness. Karma is a powerful thing. You reap what you sow. A smile and a little empathy and consideration go a long way.

The 20-foot Goal

By MG John Gronski (USA, Ret,) I love to go on trail runs. I find a great deal of enjoyment in going on runs in the mountains of Pennsylvania on hiking trails and single-track paths. A few weeks ago, I was on one such run. I was at around mile four and found myself...

The Entrepreneurial Mindset

By MG John Gronski (USA, Ret.) Do you have an entrepreneurial mindset? A friend of mine who is working on his Ph.D. recently asked if he could conduct an interview with me as a requirement for his program of study. He is involved in a project that focuses on the...

All In or Go Home

By MG John Gronski (USA, Ret.) Jim Sursely was a remarkable man. He passed away on May 30, 2021, after living an inspiring life. He motivated many people but the lesson he told that resonated most with me was that you had to be all in, 100%, if you were going to...

The 20-foot Goal

By MG John Gronski (USA, Ret,) I love to go on trail runs. I find a great deal of enjoyment in going on runs in the mountains of Pennsylvania on hiking trails and single-track paths. A few weeks ago, I was on one such run. I was at around mile four and found myself...

The Entrepreneurial Mindset

By MG John Gronski (USA, Ret.) Do you have an entrepreneurial mindset? A friend of mine who is working on his Ph.D. recently asked if he could conduct an interview with me as a requirement for his program of study. He is involved in a project that focuses on the...

All In or Go Home

By MG John Gronski (USA, Ret.) Jim Sursely was a remarkable man. He passed away on May 30, 2021, after living an inspiring life. He motivated many people but the lesson he told that resonated most with me was that you had to be all in, 100%, if you were going to...

Upward Leadership

By Major General John L. Gronski (US Army, Retired) I have been getting a lot of questions from mid-level leaders about techniques they can use to assist their boss by providing candid feedback. Some people call this “Leading Up”. I like to use the term “Upward...

Muddy Boots (or Paws) Leadership

By MG John Gronski (USA, Ret.) My dog Scottie has muddy boots. To be more accurate, I guess I should say he has muddy paws. I think all leaders can learn from him. Scottie gets around. He does not sit back behind his desk and let the world around him pass him by. He...

The Case For Leading Up

On December 28, 1978, Flight 173 crashed about 8 miles from the Portland Airport. Of the 181 passengers and 8 crew members aboard, 8 passengers, the flight engineer, and a flight attendant were killed, and 21 passengers and 2 crewmembers were injured seriously....

The Sniffspot

We must build resiliency. Resiliency does not just happen on its own. We must prepare for it. To build our resiliency we must work on our fitness. Of course, physical fitness is essential, but being fit mentally, emotionally, and spiritually also builds resiliency....

Becoming A Veteranpreneur

By guest blogger Jesse Clark As a veteran, you no doubt have skills and experience that can translate into a wide range of industries and fields. You’re likely a self-starter who is no stranger to persevering through challenges and thinking of creative solutions. In...

Behaviors speak louder than values

By MG John Gronski, USA Retired Behaviors speak louder than values It is essential for one to identify their core values. Core values should number between about three to seven values. If everything is a core value, then nothing is a core value. It is important to go...

Wellness Practices For The Workplace

By Rosette Jones Adaptability is one of the qualities business owners need to develop to maintain a fulfilled workforce. What better way to practice it than to adapt to the changing needs of your employees? As the importance of employee wellness becomes more...
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