This is a big week for our family. It turns out that my parents were born six days and four years apart. This Friday, my Dad turns 80 and last week my Mom turned 76. I probably get no points for stating their ages, but both are milestones to be celebrated. These are special days for both, with many experiences between them. Thankfully, both are in good health and stay active.
When one looks back on their lives, there are lessons and experiences that stick with us. Both of my parents were born and raised during the Great Depression. As many of you know, those raised during that time tend to be conservative with their money, have a great work ethic, and never want to be without again. My mom's side had it a bit easier than my dad's family, though the impressions formed run deep. Like many families, they never knew they were poor or did without. This allows one to grow up without airs or feeling like you need to catch up with others.
My parents represent the baby boomers and part of the "Greatest Generation." They have worked hard all their lives, put three kids through school, supported us when necessary, and provide an on-going example of how to live your life. They don't ask much in return and probably don't get much back. They have lead by example all their life and my siblings and I are better off for it.
Birthdays are a time of reflection and hope. We celebrate the past and hope it has positioned us well for the future. When you're 80 and 76, there is much to celebrate. I suppose one wonders about their legacy, did they make good decisions, and what if they had to do it all over again? We all make decisions throughout our lives that define who we are and what we have to give. My parents are no exception. My Dad was in the Marines then went to Virginia Tech. He met my Mom and then took a job with Chrysler in Detroit. For thirty-two years he worked there, and created a life for themselves in Michigan. In 1996, they moved back to Virginia to Williamsburg, about an hour north of where they were raised.
Who knows how many years they have left? By the looks of both of them-I'd say many. I can attest they have made good decisions and don't need to consider "what-ifs." I'm proud to be their son and thank them for all their love and support. I guess that's the best way to say thanks and repay them for all they've done and given to me. Join me in celebrating their birthdays and let's hope there are many more.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Nothing Left to Lose!
The first weekend of the NCAA men's basketball tournament is a sports junkie's dream. For 96 hours, 32 games are played where anything and everything can happen. Just ask the men of the University of Kansas. They were the best team in America according to every poll and now they sit and watch. Murray State and Michigan State have won games at the buzzer. This is sports at its finest.
In my mind, no team has been more impressive than Cornell from the Ivy League. Typically, the Ivy League sends their champ to be a sacrificial lamb for a big school on their way to the final four. This year, Cornell dominated their opponents with a 27-4 record. On Friday, they whipped Temple and did the same on Sunday to Wisconsin (Big Ten). Next stop, Kentucky on Thursday night. I suspect teams like Cornell feel like they are playing with house money. They have nothing to lose. They have already gone much further than anyone thought. Now, they play on the national stage against one of the great basketball programs in the country. Expectations are low and their intensity will be high.
This reminds me of start up organizations. While their owners have a lot to lose, they're not given much credit (initially) in the marketplace. The organization is intensely focused on product launches, sales and effectively utilizing cash (or at least should be). It is hard to keep this intensity for long and soon process and ritual take over. Many organizations would be better off having the entrepreneurial mentality and going for broke. Most organizations settle into a certain pace where ultimately, mediocrity is the standard.
When making a decision this week, figure out how to light a fire under your organization and play like you have nothing left to lose.
In my mind, no team has been more impressive than Cornell from the Ivy League. Typically, the Ivy League sends their champ to be a sacrificial lamb for a big school on their way to the final four. This year, Cornell dominated their opponents with a 27-4 record. On Friday, they whipped Temple and did the same on Sunday to Wisconsin (Big Ten). Next stop, Kentucky on Thursday night. I suspect teams like Cornell feel like they are playing with house money. They have nothing to lose. They have already gone much further than anyone thought. Now, they play on the national stage against one of the great basketball programs in the country. Expectations are low and their intensity will be high.
This reminds me of start up organizations. While their owners have a lot to lose, they're not given much credit (initially) in the marketplace. The organization is intensely focused on product launches, sales and effectively utilizing cash (or at least should be). It is hard to keep this intensity for long and soon process and ritual take over. Many organizations would be better off having the entrepreneurial mentality and going for broke. Most organizations settle into a certain pace where ultimately, mediocrity is the standard.
When making a decision this week, figure out how to light a fire under your organization and play like you have nothing left to lose.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Warning Signs
On February 27th, a Georgetown University junior named Austin Freeman was suffering from a cold and stomach virus-like symptoms. He is their leading scorer with an average of 17.3 points per game. He had to take intravenous fluids to come off the bench against Notre Dame. By all reports, he was shaky and pale while scoring five points in 23 minutes. Two days later, he was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. He is 20 years old.
A couple of days earlier I felt chest pressure, numbness in my left arm and numbness in both pinkies. The chest pressure took me to the hospital. My heart is fine, but I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. I am 51 years old. Diabetes is a serious condition, but not life threatening. It requires a change in diet, exercise, and constant monitoring of your blood sugar. I was self injecting insulin for the first week of my diagnosis, but now take oral medication twice a day. There a things I have to watch for and understand how my body reacts to foods-but all manageable. The good news is that I've lost weight and maintaining it along with an improvement in eyesight. Go figure.
Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post wrote an excellent column on Austin Freeman, other athletes with Diabetes and his own diagnosis a couple of years ago. Click here for the link to his column. The good news for all of us and many of the 285 million people across the globe is that we know what we have and if we take responsibility, can control it. There are many who have it much worse, some who don't realize it.
Are there warning signs of disease in your organization? Is there less enthusiasm than normal? Is absenteeism up? Are people taking calls on their cellphones outside of the office? Are there more whispers around the water cooler? Leadership's first reaction may be to get angry and challenge folks. Look deeper-perhaps you're the cause. I find that there are buoys everyone in life-many are in the workplace. Look to read those buoys and react accordingly. Sometimes we make a decision without understanding the consequences. Think about the warning signs and get help. Many diseases are controllable-both in the body and the organization.
A couple of days earlier I felt chest pressure, numbness in my left arm and numbness in both pinkies. The chest pressure took me to the hospital. My heart is fine, but I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. I am 51 years old. Diabetes is a serious condition, but not life threatening. It requires a change in diet, exercise, and constant monitoring of your blood sugar. I was self injecting insulin for the first week of my diagnosis, but now take oral medication twice a day. There a things I have to watch for and understand how my body reacts to foods-but all manageable. The good news is that I've lost weight and maintaining it along with an improvement in eyesight. Go figure.
Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post wrote an excellent column on Austin Freeman, other athletes with Diabetes and his own diagnosis a couple of years ago. Click here for the link to his column. The good news for all of us and many of the 285 million people across the globe is that we know what we have and if we take responsibility, can control it. There are many who have it much worse, some who don't realize it.
Are there warning signs of disease in your organization? Is there less enthusiasm than normal? Is absenteeism up? Are people taking calls on their cellphones outside of the office? Are there more whispers around the water cooler? Leadership's first reaction may be to get angry and challenge folks. Look deeper-perhaps you're the cause. I find that there are buoys everyone in life-many are in the workplace. Look to read those buoys and react accordingly. Sometimes we make a decision without understanding the consequences. Think about the warning signs and get help. Many diseases are controllable-both in the body and the organization.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Rae Burton
It's time for another profile. As I mentioned last month, I had the thought of writing a book and went about the business of interviewing those who have had a positive influence on me. This profile is about Rae Burton, a retired PPG Industries Vice-President, who I met in 1993 when I transferred to Lake Charles, LA. I reported to Rae through my plant manager, then on a dotted line basis when I was the Information Technology for the Chemicals division.
Rae is an "old school" guy who believes in personal relationships. Your word is your honor. He used the phone and travelled extensively to personally meet with customers, suppliers and his team. My first and lasting impression of Rae is that you had to be prepared and know your stuff. He doesn't suffer fools easily and helped me understand that preparation is the key to success. There are no free rides with Rae. You have to work for respect. He will not ask a person to do anything he wouldn't or hasn't done himself.
He is from San Antonio, TX with a degree from the University of Texas in Chemical Engineering and Business. He then went into the Navy for four years after graduation. Once leaving the Navy, he found PPG and stayed for 32 years, retiring in 2004. He picked PPG from the handful of offers because he felt they listened to him in the interviews and understood what he looked for in a career. He also felt they had high ethical standards, which would be supported throughout his career.
I'm a better person and leader because of Rae. I may not have always agreed with his methods, but he taught me that consistency and adherence to high ethical standards is a foundation for personal and professional success. With Rae, ethics are not situational. I define integrity as being true to your actions. Rae exemplified that core value for me. He would not tolerate unethical behavior and always moved quickly to root it out of his organizations. In addition, he lead his divisions to high levels of profitability year in and year out. I think of him often and hope I have the character to stick to my core values in every situation.
I wish Rae well and glad we had the chance to connect a couple of years ago. I know he is enjoying the three "g's" in his retirement-grand kids, golf and gardening. I hope he knows the impact he's made on me and those who worked with him.
Rae is an "old school" guy who believes in personal relationships. Your word is your honor. He used the phone and travelled extensively to personally meet with customers, suppliers and his team. My first and lasting impression of Rae is that you had to be prepared and know your stuff. He doesn't suffer fools easily and helped me understand that preparation is the key to success. There are no free rides with Rae. You have to work for respect. He will not ask a person to do anything he wouldn't or hasn't done himself.
He is from San Antonio, TX with a degree from the University of Texas in Chemical Engineering and Business. He then went into the Navy for four years after graduation. Once leaving the Navy, he found PPG and stayed for 32 years, retiring in 2004. He picked PPG from the handful of offers because he felt they listened to him in the interviews and understood what he looked for in a career. He also felt they had high ethical standards, which would be supported throughout his career.
I'm a better person and leader because of Rae. I may not have always agreed with his methods, but he taught me that consistency and adherence to high ethical standards is a foundation for personal and professional success. With Rae, ethics are not situational. I define integrity as being true to your actions. Rae exemplified that core value for me. He would not tolerate unethical behavior and always moved quickly to root it out of his organizations. In addition, he lead his divisions to high levels of profitability year in and year out. I think of him often and hope I have the character to stick to my core values in every situation.
I wish Rae well and glad we had the chance to connect a couple of years ago. I know he is enjoying the three "g's" in his retirement-grand kids, golf and gardening. I hope he knows the impact he's made on me and those who worked with him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
