Lighthouse Technologies CEO Jeff Van Fleet and co-author Mark Adams recently had the opportunity to visit an 8th grade English class on their last day of school at St. Francis de Sales in Lebanon, Ohio. Jeff and Mark joined the students in celebrating who they are today, and as they move forward to high school, encouraged them to keep writing and being creative.
Each student received a copy of Jeff and Mark’s book ‘The Coach and The Geek: Building a Kick-Butt Culture‘ and took part in a meaningful conversation about leadership, storytelling, and the power of diverse perspectives.
During their visit, Jeff and Mark asked the students:
- What are you interested in?
Students shared passions ranging from sports and opera to history—reminding us that the best ideas start with what matters most to YOU. - If you wrote a book, what would it be about?
Some said they would want to write about their sports team and experiences as an athlete, one young man said he would write about his experience in an opera, and others said they would want to write about historical figures they admire. The range of answers reinforced a core belief we hold at Lighthouse: different voices and experiences bring strength to any team. - What can you learn about leadership from the book?
Students flipped to random pages, read short sections, and shared how the leadership lessons related to their own lives. And, how authors can reach different audiences with different experiences and still be able to connect with them.
Jeff and Mark also described their writing process and how they think in very different ways—Mark brings a creative storytelling flow, while Jeff takes a structured, engineering-minded approach. They shared how this contrast ultimately made their writing process and final book stronger, which then sparked a valuable conversation around another one of Lighthouse’s core values: diverse teams are always stronger than single-minded ones.
At Lighthouse Technologies, we’re proud to support our community and invest in the next generation of leaders. When we encourage young minds to think creatively and lead confidently, we’re all building a better future—together.
That said, we’re curious… If YOU wrote a book, what would it be about? Let us know in the comments!
Sarah Roberts is the Marketing Specialist at Lighthouse Technologies where she leads marketing strategies and conducts market research within the tech industry. A 2021 graduate of Miami University, Sarah brings a fresh, innovative perspective to industry trends and best practices. Her engaging and relatable blogs simplify complex topics, making them accessible and enjoyable for readers of all backgrounds.
