Leader … scout … ballplayer … businessman … mentor.
Author?
Any and all of those terms describe so much of John Kennedy’s larger-than-life personality and his I-can’t-believe-he-did-that-too life. But from a bigger-picture perspective, they all go back to one defining term: Engineer.
Kennedy, the former head of the N.J. Manufacturing Extension Program turned accidental author of the recently released book, 12 Simple Words, that is having great impact, will always be an engineer. That is, someone who meticulously gathers as much information as possible to come to a logical conclusion. (Buy the book here)
It’s how he learned to cope with the loss of his father at a young age. How he discovered scouting could be a positive force – one that he has supported throughout his life. How he made a baseball career last far longer (to college and the minors) than anyone would have expected. How he created and sold two engineering companies before running MEP. How he wrote: 12 Simple Words, a book built around the 12 words that make up The Scout Law.
A Scout is:
- Trustworthy
- Loyal
- Helpful
- Friendly
- Courteous
- Kind
- Obedient
- Cheerful
- Thrifty
- Brave
- Clean
- and Reverent.
They are more than just a series of words that all scouts can rattle off quickly – and with introspection. At least Kennedy learned that at a key time in his life.
“I had a scout leader, Dennis Spencer, who said, ‘Slow the hell down – think about the words,’” Kennedy recalled during a recent stop on his book tour at the County College of Morris.
“He said, ‘Think about it: This is one law that assumes that you’re already these things.’”
Kennedy said he turned to those words after his father’s passing.
“The most hellish part of my life was being a teenager and my dad passing suddenly,” he said. “If it wasn’t for my mom, a couple of scout leaders, and to be honest with you, those simple 12 words, I’m not sure where the hell I wind up.
“I was a very angry young man. It didn’t seem fair to me, but life isn’t fair. I’ve always wanted to do something with those 12 words.”
That something was complicated.
Kennedy said he attempted to show how those rules could make you be a good lawyer or business leader, but said he couldn’t get to the finish line.
He had the concept — he just needed the words. So, he did what he always did — worked together with others.
His feelings are throughout the book, but with each of the 12 simple words — each chapter — he often brought in additional voices to help make it complete.
Kennedy told the audience that this willingness to speak with, listen to and potential argue with others is key to the book — and life.
“We’ve gotten to a place that is very strange,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with arguments. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with disagreements. Some of the best engineering work I’ve ever done has been sitting with another engineer who has a completely different idea, trying to find the middle ground what works best.
“We don’t do that anymore.”
Kennedy thinks having more than just one voice may be the reason the book has sold far more than he thought (nearly 1,500 copies) and is getting interest from companies that want to help him “market” it for more sales.
Of course, he didn’t get into this for “sales” — though he’s delighted that the increased book buys mean more money for the Team Eagle Foundation, the nonprofit he founded that will get all the proceeds.
From this book — and possibly the next. He’ll call that one: ‘Paying it forward.’
That leader, mentor, entrepreneur and scout — he’s also about giving back, as the Team Eagle Foundation shows.
Of course, if he keeps this up, the “author” title might stick.
Kennedy is not so sure. He told the group he’s not an engineer turned author — he’s an engineer who used those skills to become an author.
When he finally got down to writing, he got a lot of suggestions for how he should proceed. He proceeded like an engineer would.
“The funny thing is, when I first tried to write a book, I struggled because everybody I talked to that had written books was telling me, ‘Just let it flow; it comes out in an artistic pursuit,’” he said. “That’s not me.
“I had to approach it as a project. I had to create a schedule. I had to go at it in a controlled method. So, instead of having that free form, I acted in that way that actually helped me get it done.
“I’m not a writer, I’m an engineer.”
One who personifies each and every one of those 12 simple words.
