The Wonder Twins were fraternal twins, a brother and sister, from a 1980’s American Children’s Cartoon. They were the good guys so to speak and whenever a problem happened they got notified on their special little walkie talkie type watches. They would look at each other do a ‘fist bump’ and say “Wonder Twin Powers…Activate”. Then one would say Shape of a [blank] and they would turn into whatever that person, place or thing was and the other would say Form of a [blank] which was usually liquid in some form or variety. Then they would go off on their mission to save the world. When you think about it, this is alot like being an entrepreneur.

Apart we are strong but together we are mighty.

Two small ‘guys’ come together so that they can manifest something bigger and faster than if they tried to go at it on their own as they pursue their individual and collective mission of saving the world. Case in point, a few weeks ago I joined forces with self-made millionaire and Internet Serial Entrepreneur Yanik Silver (www.yaniksilver.com).

We came together and brought our respective skill sets, vision, networks and resources and the result was the First Annual Maverick Young Entrepreneurs Challenge. The Maverick Young Entrepreneurs Challenge was the brainchild of Yanik and his fellow business mastermind comrades who have a mission of making more money, having more fun and giving more back. And being that I am ALL ABOUT all of those things I gladly supported his mission.  So now 10 very lucky young (and in most cases, bootstrapping) entrepreneurs have been given the opportunity to come to DC and network face to face with some uber successful entrepreneurs including, iContact Founder (and young entrepreneur), Ryan Allis, Go Daddy’s CEO, Bob Parsons and Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh.

Thusfar, I have had an amazing and fairytale like experience working with Yanik and his team on this creative and philanthrophic venture (and the event has not even happened yet). But one thing I have to say I found surprising (and a little disappointing) in my experience in dealing with a few of the “youth centric” organizations that I tried to reach out to during this venture….

Too many adults let their insecurities get in the way of the advancement of the young people they are supposed to be supporting and empowering. [Note: While I don't usually like to use the word don't or start thoughts with negative words, for the sake of making my point to the targeted group, I used it here.]

• Don’t be mad because you didn’t think of the idea (or execute it first). We are all entrepreneurs in our own respect. We think of great and fun ideas everyday that we want to build and share with everyone in our community. Many of those ideas might have a theme that is the same, but different than those we see launching every day. We are fueled by others who encourage us to push forward on our mission as much as we are fueled by our own curiosity and will to get it done. So instead connect with those people, open the line of communications and say- I have been working on something the same (but different) so maybe next time we can collaborate and work together. If they are a jerk about the situation, then assemble your group and move with a sense of urgency because it means they aren’t going much farther anyway.
• Don’t think that people are trying to ‘take your kids away from you’. Young people don’t need to be helped- they want to be empowered. They want to be self sufficient and independent and given an equal platform like adults. Whether you are a parent or an organization- the more resources, experiences and opportunities you expose young people to, the more they will appreciate and be loyal to you. And by all means, LET YOUR CHILD FAIL! This is how they learn to be independent, develop their self esteem and self confidence. When you try to protect them from falling (i.e. repeating your mistakes) it is the same as repeatedly knocking them down. Do that enough times and one day they are not going to get back up or they will ‘run away’. So let them fall down and help them up from time to time, but also let them get up by themselves.
• Don’t  fall into the old school mentality of I’m older and bigger means I’m smarter and better.  100 year old American corporations who once subscribed to that mentality are gone bye bye because of that. So you best embrace change and innovation because when the next best thing comes along you want to be coming along with it. 

Out with the OLD and in with the YOU!

If YOU are truly a visionary leader YOU will encourage, empower and engage everybody in your personal and professional networks to rally around your cause/vision- teachers, volunteers, government officials, community leaders, religious congregations, family, friends, perceived ‘competitors’ and basically anybody who says I can relate, I care and want to be a part of what YOU are doing. 

If you truly want to become a powerful person or organization, you must empower others. 

When 2 or more are in agreeance, much greater things are always bound to happen.  So how are you connecting with others and manifesting change in your life and your world?