INSPIRATIONS like what you see then you need to change you! I just cannot stress enough the importance of being mentored as a leader. Are there any defining moments on your Mannatech journey that you would like to share? Rod G: In all honesty, as I look back on the journey Cheryl and I have taken over the last number of years to bring us to the place where we are now, the greatest thing we ever did in Mannatech was to join the company. I so nearly didn’t because of prejudices and preconceived ideas. What advice would you give to a new person who decides to get involved with Mannatech? Rod G: Never, never, never quit! Probably the most difficult time in the business is when you’re just starting out and moving towards becoming a Regional and National Director. The reason I say this is because everything is new to you, you are possibly struggling to believe in yourself and so might find it difficult to impart the vision of Mannatech.
Straight Talk About
BIG dReAMS An interview with Australasia’s first Platinum Presidential
Rodney Gilchrist How did you build your business to become the number one Mannatech Associate in Australia and New Zealand? Rod G: One of my favourite movies of all time is Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner. There is a line in the movie that has left a mark on my heart that cannot be erased – “If you build it, they will come!” I have lived my life by building ‘The Dream’ into people’s hearts, the dream of a better tomorrow. Without a doubt God planted the seeds of greatness in each of us, and I have dedicated my life to helping people find these seeds and develop them, leading to the fulfillment of their dreams. What are some of the factors that you feel were key to your success? Rod G: I believe our success is directly attributed to the countless people in our business who believed us when we said that they could succeed and in turn they did. They have then gone to do the same with other people and so on. This is a leadership business and an indicator I use to measure my business growth is, not the amount of sales volume but, the number of leaders which are being developed. I am constantly overwhelmed by the quality of leadership that exists in Mannatech. I believe that like attracts like, and everything reproduces after its own kind. Someone once said that the people in your business are a reflection of you, so if you don’t
As you move through to Executive Director you have found others who believe what you believe and develop leaders. At this point a wonderful and mysterious force called ‘momentum’ kicks in. These leaders will then do exactly what their title suggests: they will lead and develop more leaders which will cause your business to grow. Before you know it, you’re Platinum! You have been called a visionary. What can you tell us about the importance of vision? Rod G: It’s everything. I believe if you can see it, you can do it. If you can’t see it, you’ll never do it. So I tend to spend a lot of time in business and in life imagining a preferred future. Vision is like a magnet - it will draw you to it. It will give you the energy and impetus. Whenever things get negative, rather than me getting negative, I start to think about my future. I paint a picture of a more positive future and I formulate a plan for a greater destiny. People always ask me, “How come you’re so happy - are you on drugs or something?” No, I have a vision of a better tomorrow and I know that I’m going to get to that preferred future, that earnest expectation of a positive outcome in my life. I think that ‘The Dream’ is the driving force of a successful business, a successful marriage, and anything in life. We need the dream. What do you see for the future with Mannatech? Rod G: Well, my prediction is that Platinums will be as common in a few years as Executive Directors are today. In fact YOU could be one of them, if you dare to believe it! Are there any final thoughts you’d like to share with us? Rod G: Two things: Firstly, never quit! It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to get to that goal that you have, you’ll get there if you don’t quit. And finally, eradicate the word impossible from your vocabulary, because all things are possible to those who believe. If you believe you can do it, you can and you will. Rodney Gilchrist joined Mannatech in 1998 and is Australasia’s first Platinum Presidential Director. Today he has an organisation that spans ten countries, with an Associate base in excess of 75,000 Associates. He has also been awarded the most prestigious accolade, the Mannatech ‘International Business Builder of the Year’, in recognition of his exceptional teambuilding efforts. Together with his wife, Cheryl, Rodney pastors the Dreamcentre Christian Church on the Gold Coast and is a sought-after speaker and motivator. 19