There are some famous people that lived and called Colorado Springs home.  Two that come to mind quickly, are Bob Norris, “The Marlboro Man,” and Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, former teacher and NASA astronaut.  There is one famous person that you may or may not have heard of, but in the development space of fundraising, many have.  Peb Jackson was from Colorado Springs, and a few months before he was promoted to heaven, I had the chance to interview him at a little diner near our homes. 

Peb worked for many organizations, Young Life, Focus on the Family, Museum of the Bible, Azusa Pacific – all in the world of networking, loving people, and development of funds.  The following is what I sent back to Peb after our breakfast, saying, “Is this right?  Is this what I heard you say your Top 7 were?”  Peb sent back an affirmative, and today, since I have been thinking a lot about him lately, are the “PEB JACKSON TOP 7 FOR BEING IN DEVELOPMENT.”

1. Know Your Audience
2. Go where the big dogs go; Do what they do
3. Perfect your ability to have conversations with the people you are going to meet with
4. Be in great shape (emotionally, spiritually, physically)
5. People want you to BE their Young Life leader
6. Two things about a pitch:  1) Never longer than 5 minutes, and 2) Never ask unless you told them that was what you were going to do.
7. Put a premium on FUN.

This was the list that Peb bantered on over a few eggs and coffee that morning… coffee that, for sure, was not up to his standard.  Let me just unpack a few of his notes under each one for you to ponder and consider if you desire.

Know Your Audience

Peb did know his audience.  Honestly, if I didn’t know Peb well-enough, I might have thought of him as a person with great means.  He read what his friends who had been blessed with resources read:  Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Texas Monthly, The Economist.  He wanted to be up on all the conversations that were happening so that he could participate in the conversation.  Peb strived to immerse himself in this culture… so that he could be “in their world.”  Peb liked all the things, generally, that they liked.  He closed this with a comment… “This will breed confidence IN YOU.” 

Go where the big dogs go; do what they do

Sail?  Golf?  Hunt?  Fish?  Ski in Colorado around New Years?  Peb said, “Any organization worth their “salt” wants you out with these people.  “For me,” he said, “Christmas to New Years’ were work days and many a conversation I had on a chair lift!” 

Perfect your ability to have conversations with the people you are going to meet with

Research people you are going to be with… why?  To be able to ask them 4-5 really good questions.  People will remember a meeting with you more on what THEY said that on what you said.  Be a person who observes.  Make a note of what is IN their office or home.  Peb commented, “One time I saw a picture in an office of fly fishing in Iceland.  This observation led to some great conversations.”

Be in great shape (emotionally, spiritually, physically)

Peb commented, and actually I am personally feeling this truth today, “When you are in shape, you are more confident and able to engage with people.”  I have more to go, but I am down 10 pounds over the last month and I cannot tell you what this does for my psyche.  Peb went on to say, “If you are a high-performance person, it is easier to be with a high-performance person.  So, prepare for your job like any athlete would prepare for theirs!  Give it your all! 

People want you to BE their Young Life leader

This one will be a little more directed at my line of work, but let’s see if we can unpack it for anyone.  People want you to pour into them personally.  Be thoughtful before you are with them, and pour into them some of your thoughtful reflections you had about them.  In my arena, people need me to be at my spiritual best and to offer them this gift.  Sometimes this might be evidenced in questions I might ask, or vulnerable conversations we might have. 

Two things about a pitch:  1) Never longer than 5 minutes, and 2) Never ask unless you told them that was what you were going to do

The one thing that Peb said here was that some people feel the need to “tell them everything.”  Peb said, “You don’t have to tell them everything.”  Bring to them what you think lines up with their heart and passion.  And, if you are bringing something to them, never make it a surprise. 

Put a premium on FUN

You want to be the person that when they see your call, your text, or even your face they are GLAD TO SEE YOU COMING.  Also, when you are with people, you would hope that as the time comes to a close they say, “Now that was a good time.”  There are many ways to get at this… but, you are the one bringing the fun.  So do just that! 

Earlier this fall I was golfing at the Broadmoor. it was a little windy and a little brisk.  The guy I was playing with said, “Oh, Peb loved these days in Colorado.”  I think what I miss most about Peb, other than being able to talk to him, is watching him model “living life to the full.”  Peb did not hold back… he loved people well, he honored people well, and he never hesitated to show up.  As far as I am concerned, Peb is one of the most famous that lived in Colorado Springs!