JayBarnett
A former professional athlete has written 3 books on the development of teens. As a best selling author he has seen the word leadership defined numerous ways over the years. Is it charisma and positive thinking? Fitted suits and bow ties? Decisiveness? Is it all about the situation? Is it all about the situation? Is it meant only for the chosen few who rise to the top? Or , is there a different story? With over 10 years of highly skilled and acclaimed mentoring and success stories, public speaking and most important, real-life, in the trenches business experience, his view is radically different? Jay appreciates and shares with his mentees that leadership is a moment-to-moment choice and not about title and position. Leadership is for everyone. It’s a choice. It’s how we should live our life. As a leader in the community, Jay serves as the senior consultant and Master Teen Mentor with his Sugarland, Texas-based organizations serve “at risk” teens, ages 13-18, transitioning through foster care/group homes. Back To School Back Pack Campaigns. Football and Basketball Camps, to name a few and continues to work with the best and brightest in the leadership development field. As a result of working with Jay Barnett teens develop self-esteem, self worth-worth, value for their bodies and strong mindsets.
Why did I address you as King? That is a great question, and I’m glad you asked. I call you King because who I am on the inside calls out who you are on the inside. How we view ourselves is often how we view others. I view myself as a King; therefore, that is how I view who you are too. “King” is not just a title; it is who you are at your core, which then sets your code of conduct and way of living. But I did not always see myself this way. My parents divorced when I was 13, and for the first time in my life, I experienced pain like never before in my heart. The man who I had grown to love and admire was not only leaving my mother, but he was walking out of my life. My father had been my hero, and he could do no wrong until he was no longer the man of the house. I transitioned into the role of a surrogate father to my sisters and a friend to my mother. I was the strong one, but even I had my moments of weakness. The football field became my outlet to unleash all the pain, resentment, and anger without repercussions. I never, ever talked about my pain. Football was my coping mechanism; it was how I identified myself because I didn’t have a male figure or role model to teach me I could be more. After a successful college career, I began pursuing a dream to play on Sundays. I was a free agent on the market looking for an NFL home that would allow me to continue my coping. The Green Bay Packers gave me that opportunity. I did everything right, but the football Gods chose to see my fate otherwise. I was sent home with no contract and with the suspense of “stay in shape, and we will call.” The call never came.
