Formula For Success...

There is no formula for success…or so you would think, because we hear about failure every day. We are bombarded with negatives on TV, the internet and well meaning friends. Everyone is living their own failures. Can we make success our default? The short answer is ABSOLUTELY YES!

The answer to my point above; there is no formula for success; I’m leaning on a friend for his insight and innovative thinking. Simon Sinek is a world traveler and mentor to 100’s of CEO’s for Fortune 500 Company’s; he is a strategic thinker and has the uncanny ability to make the most difficult challenges seem mundane. Simon’s comments on “there is no formula for success; meaning there is no specific quantity of ingredients that, if you mix them together, will make you successful. However, there is an equation for success.

Talent + Effort + Luck = Success

Winning the lottery, for example, takes all luck, no talent and minimal effort. The success, if you define success as making money, is real. The money has the same buying power as someone who worked hard for it, but the lottery didn't require much talent or effort and, as a result, is hard to repeat.

There are ball players, for example, who are born with remarkable talent who, with some effort, make it to the big leagues. There are also plenty of players who may not have as much talent but have a remarkable work ethic, put in a remarkable amount of effort and also make it to the big leagues. One is not more effective than the other; it is just a different balance of the equation. Both probably require some element of luck, however.

Talent is something you’re born with. Effort is something you apply. And luck is well…just luck. But all three matter for success.

Understanding this equation allows us to rely on our talents in some cases, put in a little extra effort in others and always appreciate the luck that helps along the way.

Perspective is a wonderful and often undervalued proposition; I encourage everyone to gain as much perspective of a challenge. Do the research, talk to other stakeholders, throw potential solutions on the wall, tear them apart, think, challenge the status quo, collaborate, laugh, try harder, re-write…that makes for great success and strengthens the team.

Let’s look at several people that have gained success in their profession and what they think it takes to get there…

“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks other’s have thrown at him.” – David Brinkley

“Action is the foundational key to ALL success.” – Pablo Picasso

“Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.” – Dale Carnegie

Talent + Effort + Luck = Success

You know your strengths, as well as your short comings. Make it part of your DNA to modestly lean on your strengths, while working on what you think are your weaknesses through research, stepping out of your comfort zone to push yourself to do the things you know need to get done. And along the way, I’ve found the harder and smarter you work, the luckier you get.

The formula for success is not always easy, but it will always lead to enlightenment, new opportunities and a sense of accomplishment.

Let’s make 2011 the best year of our lives. If you can dream it, and put in the hard work, you will make great things happen and assuredly luck will find you.

Pay It Forward

Good Deeds…Paying it Forward…


In today’s local newspaper and Associated Press article titled; “The Power of Getting Disconnected,” hit a nerve. When I contrast the article with the recent 100 Day Challenge I just finished; my personal challenge will be a twist on the “Pay It Forward” mindset.

Throughout the 100 Day Challenge we were challenged to take 100% responsibility for our actions and equally important to challenge the status quo within your family, business, church and community. Allow me to share the driving quote for the 100 Day Challenge;

“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. All the times you can. To all the people you can. For as long as you can.”
- John Wesley

Paying it forward can have significant positive influences on society. Paying it forward starts with you, in a small way—the next time you fly, leave in the seat back pocket the magazine you bought before your flight. Hold the door open for someone approaching the door, you’ll see smiles. The next time you’re dining out, make sure you tell your wait person how well they did, and reflect it in your tip, call the manager over and thank them for hiring such good people. The next time you see a young family that you know are struggling to put gas in the car, pay for their tank of gas, you’ll never miss the money. It goes a very long way and reciprocity happens. And serial reciprocity can change a nation. Paying it forward changes our perspective; we go from immediate satisfaction to a longer view of future vs. present and know today’s action will have a real and measurable affect on tomorrow.

Albert Einstein knew it and said, “A Life Lived for Others Is the Only Life Worth Living.”

Paying it forward starts local and small. Mother Teresa was eloquent in her challenge, “If You Can’t Feed 100 People, Then Just Feed One.”

There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life—happiness, freedom, and peace of mind—are always attained by GIVING them to someone else.

Getting disconnected from the “grid” allows us to regain perspective. Paying it forward allows your heart to expand and serve the needs of a society craving for happiness, freedom and peace of mind. My challenge is to reach out, look for opportunities and take action to pay it forward. Always being mindful of the change society dearly needs, and reflect that change in my actions. I’m confident we can change the world, one good deed at a time. Being benevolent, anonymous, meaningful and purposeful about paying it forward will begin the shift we always talk about. Let’s start right now, where can you pay it forward?

Paying it forward will bring you closer to Surpassing Your Limits.

The Power of Joy

The Power of Joy…


Too often in life we let the joy in our life escape through work, stress, lack of sleep and life itself. Building excuses and walls reinforcing us to grow-up, reminding us that life is serious stuff and pressing so hard what little joy remains at the end of the day is severely diminished.

I know it’s easy to say, “Be joyful in all you do,” and a lot more difficult to live this mantra. Forty four days ago I subscribed to a 100 Day Challenge, urging us to finish the year strong. Today’s message hit me like a ton of bricks. Today’s message was all about JOY, a simple 3-letter word and the profound affect it has on all of us.

The feeling of Joy is all encompassing, affecting every facet of life, good, bad or indifferent. Clinical and lifestyle research confirms that Joy is a choice. We’re told throughout life to “grow-up,” “act your age,” “why are you so cheerful,” “life is serious,” and on and on. By the time we’re 10, we’ve heard these types of phrases more than 10,000 times. Even the most joyful of persons will be beaten down to grow up and be serious.

Joy is the lubricant of life, Joy is in the journey, and Child-like joy is therapeutic. I challenge you to replace the tape in your “grown-up” brain and reprogram your mind. Joy is a feeling that affects EVERY decision, every action and reaction. Try to remember how you felt, how you reacted and how it drove you to dream, have no fear and genuinely be excited for tomorrow, when you were 5 or 6. Back then we all had dreams to become a pilot, a fireman, doctor or president. It was the unbridled joy that fueled our dreams, and now the lack of joy that keeps a lid on what could be.

Much has been written on joy and the positive attributes it brings to our lives. Here are a few quotes to remind you of what others think of joy.
• “Enjoy life, this is not a dress rehearsal” – C.S. Lewis
• “Joy is the feeling of grinning on the inside” – Melba Colgrove
• “Nothing I’ve ever done has given me more joy and rewards than being a father to my children” – Bill Cosby
• “There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice; let them ever shout for joy, because thou defended them; let them also that love they name be joyful in thee” – Psalms 5:11

Joy is a virtue. Find joy in all you do. Joy is a choice. I challenge you to seek the lost joy in your life. Be thankful for your wife, children, co-workers and friends. If you make a calculated decision to be more joyful, I guarantee more joy will find you. The next time you’re confronted with an obstacle, your internal joy will help you create solutions, react smoothly and calmly and allow you to be more joyful and expectant of positive results.

With the Holidays looming, there is no better time to spread JOY. Make it a plan to spread joy over the Holidays and see what happens in your life.

Service is DEAD!

“Service is DEAD! Now’s The Time to Create a Competitive Advantage”

I still get excited to travel, yes, even business travel. I remember my first flying experience, my Dad and I flew from Chicago to Nashville to visit Grandma Harden. It was an experience I will forever keep in that special spot of memorable moments. Interestingly, the butter flies and sense of adventure rushes throughout my body to this day, including the most arduously planned business trips.

The past three weeks I’ve had the awesome opportunity to experience five different airlines. One was absolutely phenomenal, and two were marginal to poor. I know you’re thinking that’s only three airlines. Let me explain. For this example I’m going to tell you about my experience in reverse order, from poor to marginal to phenomenal. To keep you engaged let me tease you with the fact that life is about the attitude you bring to your job and life.

Three weeks ago I flew on Delta airlines to NYC. The flight was filled to capacity and of course overhead baggage space was a premium. Sadly the 6 flight attendants were not very helpful and allowed people to stand in the aisle as passengers jostled bags in the bins, you could see the frustration mount. After we leveled off at 36,000 feet and settled in for the 6 hour flight I could immediately tell which flight attendants were original Delta and which ones were from Northwest. The Delta attendants were remarkably more service oriented, smiled as they walked the aisle and tried more often to help the hapless passengers. (Can you say attitude?)

Similarly, on my return flights I flew United and Continental and had an eerily comparable situation. Although not as stark as my outbound flight, service was at best…marginal. When I get poor service, anywhere, I ask myself why, and then look around for reasons. At wits end, I asked the flight attendants why they seemed so stressed, and didn’t smile as they did their job. Assuming, a job they choose to pursue. Answers ranged from; “we’re over worked,” “security is job one,” and my favorite, “it’s not as easy as it looks.” Admittedly, I almost laughed out loud.

Last weeks flights were on Southwest Airlines, need I say more? Southwest is not my preferred carrier, their frequent flyer program does not go to Hawaii, my favorite destination. Yet, Southwest does have the perkiest flight attendants, the best on-time record and you don’t pay for baggage. Why is it virtually every employee you come in contact with, especially the flight attendants are fun, out spoken, upbeat and probably someone you’d like to have a drink with and talk about life, kid’s and work. They seem friendly and genuinely like what they’re doing.

Here’s where this post gets really interesting. Why are Southwest employees able to do what they do, by the way it’s the SAME job the other airlines do, with such perkiness, smile, laugh and act as though they like what they do? It’s ALL about attitude, and it starts at the top. From the executive offices to those on the front lines connecting with customers every day; attitude is preached as the #1 thing you bring to work. Along the way every employee is treated fairly and they enthusiastically challenge everyone to be better. Each employee is valued and empowered to make decisions and make the customer happy, and it works.

This is not an endorsement for Southwest Airlines or indictment against United or Delta. More than anything I’m pointing out great service and poor service and the reasons separating them. In my humble opinion it’s all about attitude. Much as I still get excited to travel, if you’re in a service function in your company, do it with pride, excitement and a sense of being “on stage”. Take it upon yourself and be the best you can be, reach out to help provide superior service. When this is reflected throughout your company, from top to bottom, your business will grow…I guarantee it!

Business Travel Etiquette

Business Travel Etiquette?

Does it exist? This week I had the opportunity to travel to New York City. This is my 15th trip to the Big Apple and every time I go I get to add to my perspective…some good and others not so. Let me explain.

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed lately but every flight I’m on is either 100% full or really close to capacity. Suffice to say, I NEVER seem to get an empty seat next to me. No worries, I love to talk, meet new people and at the same time, I don’t mind catching up on lost sleep. On my outbound entirely full flight I got the supreme honor of sitting in row 27, seat B. Yes, that’s a middle seat. Being a big guy I try my best to be as narrow as possible; I cross my legs and arms so I don’t bump against my travel mates, whom I don’t know. I don’t care how hard I try to be slim and not touch or infringe on other peoples space, it’s inevitable that arms, shoulders or legs will touch. I pay particular attention to the arm rests and under seat area and ONLY take half of the arm rest and keep my legs within the seat frame. WHY don’t other people do the same?

The lady next to me in 27A was a wiggle worm, had to go to the lavatory 4 times….count’em…4 times. That means all 3 people in row 27 had to get up, stand in the aisle and wait for her to return. It’s never pleasant, but I smile, nod and if talked to say something innate like, “no problem.” When inside my head I’m steaming because this same person can’t sit still, needed to get in her under seat bag 5 times and always acted as though she was entitled and never said “sorry” or “thanks”, just a look of oh well.

After 5 hours, and what seemed like 10, we’re finally walking off the plane. This squirmy lady looks at me and thanks me for being such a nice guy. Ok, I started to feel a little better, telling myself “at least it wasn’t a 300 pound guy sitting next to me.” This lady’s sense of entitlement came from the fact that her husband was a pilot for the airlines we were flying and she told me, “I almost always fly first-class and not used to sitting so close to someone.” Oh, I now feel better for her squirminess….not really!

Suggestions from a guy that’s traveled the country extensively the past 20 years; Always be polite to everyone, especially the gate attendants, flight attendants and fellow travelers. Think small, check your oversized bags and do your best to occupy as little space as possible and clean up after yourself. As a big guy I really appreciated this lady’s final comment to me, “you’re such a polite flyer, I saw how hard you tried to not infringe on my space and allowed me to squirm, and didn’t say a thing, roll your eyes or make me feel bad…thanks.”

It was a particularly harsh flight, a non-stop 5+ hour flight from SFO the day after I’d run the Disney ½ Marathon. My legs, back and head were throbbing the entire flight. I’m convinced, the energy you give, gets reflected. And if everyone tried being a little smaller as they flew on their next flight, we’d all have a more pleasant experience.

My next blog I plan to talk about airline employees; this should be interesting!@#%$#@

Little Details...Important?

Too Complex?

Are Little Details Important?


It’s your chance to shine, to show your peers and your management team what you’re made of. You know you’re ready for the challenge; you’ve done your homework, through hours of research, talking with clients and planning your presentation. There is no doubt you’re prepared for what lies ahead…and then as the hour approaches you question your research, your presentation lay-out, the hard thought conclusions and recommendations you’re about to make. And then it’s show time.

We’ve all been there, ready to make the presentation of a lifetime and our minds start to go blank and question what we’ve worked so hard to prepare. I remember the first time, early in my career I was asked to speak at the University of Puget Sound after a round of interviews on career day. No worries, I knew what to say, how to say it and best I’d delivered the same speech several times. This was in my mind a lay-up. To make sure I hit all the key points and because this was undoubtedly the largest group of college seniors I’d ever spoken to; the night before I decided to create a large flip chart (this was before PowerPoint) so the entire audience could see what I was talking about. The Dean of the Business School at UOP introduced me with great flair and set the bar quite high. Interestingly, many of the faces staring at me during my presentation were the same ones I’d interviewed earlier in the day. The presentation went great, I got a healthy round of applause and a line formed in front of me after speaking. Needless to say I was feeling pretty good, maybe a little smug because I thought I nailed the presentation. All I saw were smiling faces and a growing huddle around me, I was inspired. After another 20 minutes of question & answer the Dean tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to come into his office. He thanked me for being so thorough and professional and then almost casually asked if I’d spell checked my flip chart? I responded, “of course!” You know where this is going, don’t you. The Dean thanked me again and invited me to speak at their next career fair in 3 months. As I walked to my car, I kept telling myself, “I must have done well, after all, the Dean asked me to come back.” It wasn’t until I got back home, that I opened my flip chart and on the last page, the one I left showing to the 100+ senior Business Students for the last 10 minutes of my presentation, and the misspelling jumped off the page. I felt terrible, I felt instantly humbled and have remembered it for more than 20 years, as if it happened yesterday.

My point, YES little details are important. I don’t necessarily think we need to be perfect in everything we do. However, something as important as a flip chart, PowerPoint or hand-out needs to be triple checked for accuracy, spelling errors and grammar. I suggest letting a colleague, friend or spouse take a look at your presentation. Deliver it to the same audience. Buy them dinner, coffee of some other form of bribery; just be sure to present your thoughts to someone besides yourself.

I take full responsibility for my early blunders. I may make similar mistakes today, but I do them with; spell & grammar check, a wife that is an English major and more years of experience to be sure I’ve done all I can to be accurate and humble. I’m not alone in my quest to the little things right. Below are a few quotes that sum up my now more enlightened path, I hope this helps you focus and strive to do the little things in life…they are more important than we think.

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent Van Gogh
“Only those who have patience to do simple things perfectly will acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.” – Johann Schiller
“Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things and I’ll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things.” – Lawrence Bell
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”- Proverbs 16:3
“Simplicity, Simplicity, Simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as simple as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand. Simplify, Simplify.” – Henry David Thoreau
"When you can do the common things in life in an uncommon way you will command the attention of the world.” – George Washington Carver

Today’s assignment, make a list of the most important people in your life. I’d suggest making two lists; one personal and one business. Your list may be just a few people, and on the other hand you may have hundreds of people you’re connected with. After compiling your list, try your best to put them in order of importance. Starting with number one, do this today before you head off to bed; write a brief note of thanks. Thank them for being important to you; thank them for being in your life. If you can think of a specific role they’ve played, be sure to included specifics. Praise them, be real and provide a blessing to them. And the most important part, send this hand written note to them via snail mail; yes the US Postal service still works for more than just our monthly bills. With email, Twitter, Facebook and so many other social networking sites, people LOVE to get letters. I will tell you, the notes you send, will bring unexpected results in the receiver and sender. This is a simple and profound LITTLE thing that I guarantee will help mend a fence, a broken relationship and take a good one to new heights.

I leave you with this. I recently found a box of love letters that my beautiful wife of 32 years and I traded while living apart though our college years. While reading them it brought out two very keen emotions; one of nostalgia, how simple life was and how thankful I am to be alive with such a special person. It is through simple communication that you can make things special. It really is the LITTLE things in life that bring the most enjoyment and warmhearted memories that make a life.

Lead From The Front and The Back

How do you lead, do you support the entire team, how might you do it better?

While watching one of the best movies to come out about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars against terrorism; “Taking Chance” I was hit with the awesome mantel of leadership & responsibility and what it means to those that serve. In a scene where Wounded Warriors are being wheeled, walked and carried into the massive C-17 cargo plane at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. These Wounded Warriors are brought through Germany for treatment and are then taken back to the US for further help.
On this day in the movie and assuredly reenacted too many times since wars have been fought, there were about 20 wounded warriors, in varying degrees of severity, heading back home. Eighteen of them were in the Army and two of them were Marines.

It was freezing outside as several medical personnel and a few other staff, stood waiting by the C-17 cargo planes that would fly them back home. There standing off to the side, outside the view of cameras was a Marine officer standing at attention. The door opened and a line of young men and women came out of the building, some of them on their own two feet, some carried on stretchers. The Marine kept his rapt attention on every Wounded Warrior. That was until one young wounded Marine approached. As he walked past, the Marine officer stepped forward, put his hand on the young Marine’s shoulder and thanked him. He also told the young Marine that he was here with him for the whole trip and repeated the sentiment for the other young Marine who followed behind. He then stepped back in line and continued his respectful vigilance.

An essential component of inspiring people to be a part of an organization greater than themselves is that you look after your own. Strangely, there was no one there from the Army. But the Marines had taken two officers out of theater for the sole purpose to escort these two wounded comrades from the front lines back to the United States. That was their entire responsibility.

The strength of an organization is easily measured by the steps it takes to look after its own. To what lengths does a company go to show its people that they matter? An organization that shows commitment to its people can expect its people to show commitment to them.

Yes leadership is about leading, standing out front. Yes leadership is about painting a picture, a vision of the future that does not yet exist. Yes leadership is about being a beacon for people to follow. But great leadership is about turning back to those that you would want to follow you on your quest to thank them, personally, for being a part of what you are, together, trying to build. The US Marine Corps does not have an amazing culture simply because of what they do out front, it’s also what they do at the back that matters. Semper fidelis, as their motto goes. Always faithful.

I urge anyone who aspires to lead to see the movie  "Taking Chance" and you’ll see what I mean. Leadership like character shines brightest when the cameras are off, the lights have dimmed and you’re one-on-one with the people that make things happen. How you treat your people when the lights are off and the press is not recording everything is who you really are.

Challenging yourself to be the beacon of hope in our crazy, overly busy, self aggrandizing world to serve others is what leadership is all about. Leading from the front is where it starts, setting the pace, and leading from behind making sure that everyone knows the mission, is prepared for every market condition helps drive revenue and a longer, more sustainable forward looking business model. And in the end, it’s the power of the collective mindset that prevails…good or bad. It's your choice to make a move that makes your people feel honored, important and valued. When that happens regularly, your people will notice and they will start to trust in the system and execute in a proactive, professional and meaningful way, day in and day out. This is when and how great brands are made.