"Plant a seed that will outlive you," Jermaine J. Jones

"Stay strong on your journey. Give yourself grace for the unknown, and remember that strength isn't always loud – it’s often found in the quiet moments when we keep going anyway." 

Oof! This touched my heart. Thanks Jermaine!

This story begins with the buzz and hum at Amtrak's Moynihan Train Hall. I arrive early for my train home with a deflated mood and overly optimistic vacation plans that fell through, while surrounded by the energy of people leaving the city for the long holiday weekend.

I pass a crowd being entertained by an Amtrak employee. I keep going as I'm not ready to be stationary. I do a couple of loops and return to the vicinity. My train is late. Mr. Amtrak keeps talking to people and directing them to where they need to go. I watch as he escorts a woman with an injured leg and an elderly man to another Amtrak employee and gives instructions for what train they need to be on. He gives them Premiere status. "Treat everyone like a CEO."

Mr. Amtrak assures me that I don't need to move up in line, because that line is going nowhere. With humor and energy, he continues to share wisdom about how to treat people in life, while remaining attuned to everyone around him. He frequently interrupts his inspiring speech to answer questions and provide direction and reassurance. "Make sure you're getting on the right train. Be accountable for where you are going." "Your train isn't in the station yet."

I listen and watch Mr. Amtrak do his thing. He tells me a story about how he went up to a man in a nice suit, complimented his suit, and proceeded to tell the man that his energy didn't match his suit. Mr. Amtrak questioned how the man could lead others with that kind of energy. The man shared why he had low energy. Mr. Amtrak listened and then extended grace to the man in the suit for the rest of his journey.

Mr. Amtrak continues talking to me, and anyone within earshot who is listening, about the energy required to be a leader and how he was invited to Boston to speak to this man's company and employees. He says, I might look like the greeter for Amtrak, yet maybe I'm the director and have an amazing team behind me that makes it possible for me to be out here talking to people. “That's leadership!” I tell him that I agree, he is speaking my language, and I am a leadership coach. We high-five each other. I ask his name, and we shake hands. He asks if I have a business card, so I give him one.

Mr. Amtrak continues sharing stories and pausing to direct people at the station with his boisterous, friendly, and confident voice. In between, we carry on with our conversation until he announces, “Your train is coming in on Track 6, but wait right here.”  He ushers the crowd for train 172 to Boston to Track 6.  As he is moving them along, he looks back at me and says, "Stay right there. I've got you." He returns and escorts me to the front of the line. We exchange a big hug, and I head off on my day feeling lighter because I met Jermaine Jones.

I sit down on the train and search “Jermaine Jones Amtrak.” I immediately find him! Jermaine J. Jones is a long-time Amtrak employee and CEO of Brothers Making a Difference. He is the author of the book, "Why Jermaine?" and has given a TEDx talk! No Surprise!

About 30 minutes into my trip, I receive an email from Jermaine wishing me safe travels. I reply, thanking him for the positive impact he had on me today. He sends back a few kind words along with this encouragement,

"Stay strong on your journey. Give yourself grace for the unknown, and remember that strength isn't always loud – it’s often found in the quiet moments when we keep going anyway." 

Never underestimate your ability to influence even a stranger. Jermaine does this so naturally every day by treating everyone with kindness, encouragement, humor, direction, and support!

I highly recommend Jermaine J. Jones as an inspirational speaker for your team or business! Jermaine will capture your attention, you will feel his energy, and his words will inspire you to live, lead, and work brighter and lighter while connected to yourself and others!

“Plant a seed that will outlive you,” Jermaine J. Jones

How are your energy, presence, and voice influencing and inspiring those around you? How might you "plant a seed that will outlive you"?

Jermaine J. Jones TEDx Talk

#plantaseedthatwilloutliveyou #relationalleadership #moynihantrainhall