The Power of Illumination

A Lesson for a Successful Endeavor

Congratulations Dr Mehmet Yildiz on the unbelievable start to the publication ILLUMINATION. Congratulations, as well, to the incredible team of editors and writers that have answered the call to explore the future of a publication with phenomenal potential.

ILLUMINATION began with an idea “to create a new collaborative content culture with cross-pollination.” From where did this idea originate? And how was it brought to fruition? Let us explore this lesson for a successful endeavor with the poem above as a guide.

“I envisioned a goal to attain,” (a leadership skill)

From reading Dr. Mehmet Yildiz’s various articles, you gain a sense of his curiosity, his big heart, and his desire to help others grow. From reading his many direct responses to the writers on Medium, you begin to see his sense of commitment and discipline. All of these attributes combined to help produce his questions for other writers and editors, in the areas of writing, curation, and publications.

Following his personal articles highlights his journey on Medium as he sought, and continues to seek information and data. The knowledge he has acquired so far from Medium, as well as from his personal and professional experience, allowed him to devise a method within the scope of Medium’s structure, that could help everyone’s growth, including his own.

The important aspect here is that he is a constant seeker of data and information. And he uses that information to create visions for the future.

“And to that vision I stayed true.” (a management skill)

The work that Dr. Yildiz has produced on Medium is something that requires more than available time. It requires self-discipline. The consistency in article publication, and the consistency in reaching out to the writers on Medium — these are not actions someone is asking or forcing him to do. He does it of his own accord, for his own purpose. Like many of us, he believes that a viable future for humanity will require growth and reinvention. From this, he does not waver.

His vision that there could be a place like ILLUMINATION, a place where we can grow, be heard, and most importantly learn from each other, is something that permeates throughout his work. It is something to which he stays true.

“I collaborated with my body,” (a leadership skill)

To say that Dr. Yildiz has made an effort to connect with other writers on Medium would be an understatement. You can read any of his responses to the work of Medium’s writers. He restates their message, briefly explains how the article has touched him, and offers the hope for further engagement. His responses are always professional, but also kind and sincere. As a recipient of one such message, I can tell you it is highly encouraging.

He seeks to elevate each writer to their next best level, and he knows, like a true leader, that it doesn’t come through force, but only through sincere connection. By creating this outlet for expression, growth, and recognition, Dr. Yildiz has gone above and beyond to collaborate with his body of writers.

“And my body followed through.” (a management skill)

Indeed. His body of writers followed through. This is the action-oriented part of the endeavor. This is the part where all the work, all the transformation takes place. In this particular endeavor, it was the writing, the typing, the editing, and the publishing. Before this work, the publication was still only an idea. Now it has substance, weight, and a growing influence.

You can see that ILLUMINATION is more than just another idea, it was actually a massive endeavor carried out through the efforts of dozens and dozens of people. It is work that carries on, infused with the passions of many. Do not take the lesson of this launch lightly. It is proof that the combined application of the two leadership skills with the two management skills can lead to a successful endeavor.

Dr. Yildiz was able to do it. Reaching deep into the power of each of these skills and deep into the connections he made along the way, he was able to transform himself into a wrangler of possibility.