Bert and John Jacobs
In 1994, brothers Bert and John Jacobs, founders of the Life is Good Company, came up with an idea that changed their lives forever. Bert and John, through their creation of a vision and spreading of a positive idea, converted from two young men selling t-shirts out of an old, used van, to not only the founders of a $100 million company, but also transformational leaders. “Transformational leaders engage with followers and create a connection that raises the level of motivation and morality in both the leader and the follower” (Lesson 10: Transformational Leadership, 2014, p. 3). Transformational leaders exhibit the characteristics of having a vision and rhetorical skills to share that vision, are able to build a trusting image of self-confidence and personal example, and have personalized leadership (Lesson 10: Transformational Leadership, 2014, p. 4), all of which are characteristics that are exemplified by Bert and John Jacobs.
Creating and Expressing a Vision
Vision
Transformational leaders “recognize the problems of a present system and offer a vision to overcome these problems,” while also being “talented at sharing their visions” (Lesson 10: Transformational Leadership, 2014, p. 4). Bert and John Jacobs epitomize these characteristics of transformational leaders. In an interview posted in the Huffington Post: Success Stories, Bert and John explain “the media tends to prey on people’s fears simply because it sells… so we wondered if there was room to create some symbol of optimism, a hero whose power was the way he viewed the world” (Chun, 2012). From their ideas that were discussed on a road trip to a college to sell some t-shirts, a symbol of optimism was born. John took the idea of this hero and drew what is now the face of their company, Life is good, which is a stick figure known as Jake. This symbol depicts the qualities of simplicity, open-mindedness and happiness. Bert and John were unaware of how popular this simple, child-like drawing would become. According to the interview, a few days after Jake was created, the brothers went to the street with t-shirts with Jake’s face symbolizing life is good and “sold 48 t-shirts, in 45 minutes” (Chun, 2012) and realized how big this idea can become. From this point Bert and John worked on building the image of Jake in effort to spread optimism to as many people as possible.
Building a Trusting Image
Jake
Transformational Leaders are able to build trust in their followers through personal example and an image of self-confidence (Lesson 10: Transformational Leadership, 2014, p. 4). Bert and John Jacobs accomplished this through their choice of their way of life by being humble and spreading their optimism and enhancing their image of optimism to the best of their abilities. After making a good amount of money the brother joked that “after we got new mountain bikes, we didn’t know what to do… (growing up) we got a sense of what is really fulfilling…friends, family, laughter and love” (Chun, 2012). With regards to growing their optimistic image, retailers helped the brothers build on Jake who evolved from just a man to a man eating ice cream, biking, fishing etc. and the brand continued to grow and be more far-reaching than could have been predicted. “That brand shows us that, for most of us happiness is a choice… Jake reminds us to take control of that choice and appreciate what we have instead of thinking what we could have” (Chun, 2012). Furthermore, it is explained that “Jake, whether he’s having a PB and J or hiking he truly appreciates what he has at that moment” (Chun, 2012). In the effort to grow such a positive, happy image, Bert and John were able to connect with their followers and continue to spread optimism and good vibes.
Personalized Leadership
Far-reaching influence
“We found from the first day that people see themselves in Jake” (Chun, 2012). Transformational leaders focus on sharing personal bonds and appealing to emotional states of their followers (Lesson 10: Transformational Leadership, 2014, p. 4). After receiving letters from people who wore Life is good clothing, the brothers realized how many people they have begun to influence and how important their influence has been. The depth of the meaning of the brand was ultimately understood by Bert and John when a young girl who was diagnosed with terminal cancer was wearing life is good apparel while doing an interview. On the interview, when asked why she was wearing something that expressed “life is good,” when she had only a short time left to live, she replied “before I was sick, I took my life for granted, but now that I might not live so long, I want to make sure I enjoy and appreciate every day” (Chun, 2012). Bert and John Jacobs absorbed the fact that their message was truly affecting people in such a powerful and positive way. The inspiration in Bert and John grew and has led them to create an annual life is good festival to raise money to help kids.
Now years after the first drawing of Jake, Bert Jacobs speaks as a motivational speaker at a number of conferences and their image of positive energy continues to grow along with their business. By embracing the characteristics that transformational leaders possess, Bert and John Jacobs prove to be excellent examples of transformational leaders for their followers at Life is Good. After a few Life is Good Festivals, and raising over a million dollars, Bert and John are still looking to spread more optimism. “Getting to share this message with people is the funnest thing in the world…We’ve come a long way but at the same time, we feel very much like we’re just getting started” (Chun, 2012).
References
Chun, J. (2012, March 21). Bert and John Jacobs, Life Is Good: From Living In A Van To Running A $100 Million Company . The Huffington Post. Retrieved June 25, 2014, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/21/bert-john-jacobs-life-is-good_n_1345033.html
Lesson 10: Transformational Leadership . (n.d.). Penn State Secure Login:. Retrieved June 25, 2014, from https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/su14/psych485/001/content/10_lesson/01_page.html