In the midst of challenges, it’s tempting to close off from the world, convinced that our circumstances define us. But I’ve learned that true growth comes from opening our minds to leaders—those who’ve navigated their own storms and emerged stronger. By listening, questioning, and applying their wisdom, we can transform isolation into inspiration.
I’ve written a great deal about the people who inspired me. During the start of my journey, I learned by reading about people who lived decades or centuries ago. Although I continued to learn from the books that I read, I also learned from mentors who came into my life and visited me while I was in prison.
Leaders always taught me that we grow by seeking guidance and adapting lessons we learn to the paths we carve for ourselves. I’ll share a story from the time I served at the Taft Prison Camp, somewhere around 2009, when I was getting close to my anticipated release date. My friend Lee Nobmann came to visit me. I admired Lee. He founded Golden State Lumber, a company that had grown to generate billions in revenue and provided jobs for thousands of people in Northern California. His success stemmed from vision, hard work, and a commitment to building something lasting—principles he’d honed through decades in business.
During our visit, Lee asked a simple question: “What do you want to do when you get out?”
I opened up about my aspirations—to build a career around the lessons I’d learned in prison, turning my mistakes into tools that could help others avoid the pitfalls I’d faced and prepare for better outcomes. I shared how I’d been applying a framework inspired by Suzy Welch’s book 10-10-10, which encourages weighing decisions by their impact in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years. For me, this meant daily choices like studying, journaling, and building networks, even from behind bars, to ensure long-term freedom and contribution.
Lee listened intently, nodding as I described the mindset shifts that had sustained me: Defining success not by release dates, but by daily progress toward dignity and purpose. Rather than interrupting, he encouraged me to go deeper. “Develop your own story,” he said. “Turn those lessons into a curriculum that others can follow.”
That conversation planted a seed. Back in my housing unit, I started outlining what would become the Straight-A Guide: A framework for anyone to pursue excellence through attitude, aspiration, action, accountability, awareness, authenticity, achievement, and appreciation, all grounded in defining success and setting goals.
Lee showed the value of opening my mind to a leader’s perspective. By sharing my ideas and absorbing his encouragement, I gained clarity to create something enduring—the Straight-A Guide—that has since reached hundreds of thousands through free courses and resources at Prison Professors.
This story illustrates a universal truth: Leaders can be mentors, colleagues, or even strangers whose insights spark our potential. But it requires us to act—reaching out, listening actively, and adapting what we learn. In prison, that meant writing letters or engaging in visits. We learn through everyday life by reading biographies, attending talks, or networking online. The key is openness: Question your assumptions, as Socrates did, and seek meaning in connections, like Frankl.
To apply this to your own growth, consider these self-directed exercises:
- Define a leader whose wisdom resonates with your challenges—perhaps a business figure like Lee, or a historical one like Mandela.
- What specific question would you ask them if you could?
- Map the potential impact: How might their advice change your path in 10 minutes (immediate mindset shift), 10 months (new habits), and 10 years (lasting success)?
- Build tactics: Research their story through books or articles, then journal one actionable lesson.
- Execute and review: Apply it this week, then assess—what opened, and what needs adjustment?
Growth comes through persistent engagement, not one-off insights.
At Prison Professors, we see lives transform when people open their minds this way. Regardless of your struggles, embracing leaders’ lessons today can unlock brighter tomorrows. Consider each story or blog we share as a free invitation to learn and grow.
- What leader will you turn to next?
Don’t just absorb the wisdom—document what you’re learning to build momentum and credibility. By opening a profile at PrisonProfessorsTalent.com, you can memorialize your steps, showcase your progress, and attract the support that turns inspiration into real results.
- What step will you take today?
