The Dash Of Life

As a manager or business owner one of the most time consuming and energy draining activities is to try and turn around an underperforming employee. Its time consuming because there are so many things that you have to make sure that you do in order to cover yourself legally. Its emotionally draining because deep down you realize that the employee is not the only one at fault. As their manager a significant level of blame has to fall back on you. You either hired them, or you trained them, or when you took over you chose to keep them.

Two of my daughters had been playing hide and seek for around 20 minutes when I heard the “hider” franticly calling out the “seekers” name to no avail. So I asked the “seeker” if she was still playing hide and seek with her sister, and she told me “no”. I then asked the “seeker” if her sister knew that she wasn’t playing anymore and she told me “no, I am trying to keep it a secret”! After laughing until my face hurt, I started to wonder how many adults are like my five year old “seeker” daughter? They are no longer playing the game, but they are trying hard to keep it a secret from the rest of the world. However their game isn’t hide and seek it’s their job, or relationships or life in general. Life is way to short not to be actively and passionately in the game!

One of my favorite poems is titled Sermons We See, by Edgar A. Guest. The poem reminds us that when you are in any type of leadership position, parent, manager, consultant, politician, teacher, or coach. The things you say speak volumes to all those who follow you; however your words will always be drowned out by your actions. One of the most positive examples of this is Tony Dungy!
When Tony Dungy was passed over several times for a head coaching position in the NFL he remained calm, he stayed focused on the things he could control and he held fast to the belief that things would be better. When he was fired from Tampa Bay because he “couldn’t win the big one” despite taking that franchise from the laughing stock of the league to a perennial playoff team, he remained calm, stayed focused on the things that he could control, and held fast to his faith that things would get better. When he went into the Colts locker down by 21 points at the half to the very team that fired him, he remained calm, stayed focused on the things he could control, and held to the faith that things would get better. The death of Dungy’s oldest son was a tragedy that would destroy many people and divide even the strongest of families, yet he remained calm, stayed focused on the things he could control, and held to his faith that things would get better. When Coach Dungy finally reached the Super Bowl only to have the Chicago Bears run the opening kick off back for a touchdown, Dungy remained calm stayed focused on the things he could control, and held on to his faith that things would get better.
As we continue to lead our families, communities, and businesses in these unbelievable economic times, let’s all remain calm, focus on the things that we can control, and have faith. Things will get better!
PJ

Sermons We See
by Edgar A. Guest

I’d rather see a sermon
than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me
than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil
and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example’s always clear;
And the best of all preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it
if you’ll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action,
but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lessons
by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you
and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.”

I came into this world in 1971; I have no idea when I am going to leave it, (not for a very long time I hope). The date of my birth and the date of death will not define me however; my life will be defined by the dash between those dates. That dash is a very powerful thing; it’s on your tombstone, your marriage license and your résumé. I will attempt to fill this virtual “dash of life” with the same things that I have tried to fill my personal dash with. Things like hope, faith, humor, inspiration and love!