Deep Tracks and Lasting Lessons — Honoring a True Mentor

The world lost a quiet giant last month.

Rex Mann wasn’t flashy. He didn’t seek attention. But when he spoke—people listened. That kind of presence doesn’t just happen. It’s earned through a lifetime of service, consistency, and care. Rex spent over 40 years with the U.S. Forest Service, shaping the land—and the people—around him with the same patience and wisdom.

For me, Rex’s passing hit home in a profound way. He reminded me so much of my own greatest mentor—my dad, Edward. In fact, over the past decade, the two of them became close friends. We often joked that they were the Jedi Elders. Two humble leaders with decades of wisdom and the heart to share it.

They both believed deeply in something we talk about often here at ELEVATION180: Legacy.

“Our gifts are meant to be shared with the world to make a difference greater than ourselves.” — Edward

“Leave tracks for others to follow.” — Rex

Those two ideas say it all.

10 Deep Tracks for Leadership — From Rex Mann

Before his passing, Rex left behind a list of what he called “tracks”—principles for leadership that he not only believed, but lived. These are lessons worth carrying forward, worth sharing, and worth practicing.

Here are his 10 Rules for Leadership (plus two powerful bonuses):

1. We as leaders are never allowed to give up. Sit with it. Process it. Learn from it. Then get up and try again—smarter.

2. Never allow yourself to think you won’t succeed. That thought doesn’t get to live in your mind.

3. Take on the toughest problem first. Don’t wait. Bottlenecks don’t fix themselves.

4. Stay strategic. Leaders rise above the weeds.

5. Surround yourself with good people. Listen to them. Invest in them. Recognize them.

6. Stay calm in the chaos. Fear spreads. So does composure.

7. Pay attention to the rhythm of events. There’s a flow. Learn to feel it.

8. Be kind to everyone you meet. Simple. Powerful. Non-negotiable.

9. Prepare for the worst. Not to dwell—but to be ready.

10. Trust what you already have. Some of your best work will happen when you think you’ve run out of options.

BONUS: Don’t strut. The minute you believe your own hype, you’re in trouble.

BONUS-BONUS: Do the work even if you won’t see the outcome. Rex spent his final years working to save the American Chestnut tree—a cause he knew would outlive him. That’s legacy leadership.

This Isn't Just a Tribute—It's a Challenge

Rex didn’t lead to be remembered. He led because it was the right thing to do.

But now that he’s gone, it’s up to us to keep walking in the deep tracks he left behind. That’s how mentorship lives on—not through words alone, but through action.

If you’re looking for a real example of quiet passion and generational impact, take 13 minutes and watch Rex’s TEDx Talk:

🎥 An American Tragedy: How a Mass Extinction Can Help Save Our Forest

Let’s Leave Tracks Worth Following

Who has left tracks in your life?

Whose life might be changed by following the tracks you’re laying down today?

This blog isn’t just about remembering Rex. It’s about living in a way that honors the people who’ve mentored us—by becoming mentors ourselves.

ELEVATION180 is a transformational coaching and mentoring organization that elevates your performance to achieve freedom, lifelong sustainable results, and a bigger future. Discover more by visiting www.ELEVATION180.com.

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