Be As If You Are

In life and in business there are always first times.

I remember my first wrestling match in 9th grade on the Junior Varsity team. My coach told me I looked nervous. He was right! I was so nervous I wanted to go hide. He gave me a small key to success when he said, “act as if you are a state champ.” Well, I could do that. I wasn’t sure what would happen when the whistle blew but I could look good. It must have worked, I won 7-4.

When I was 28, I had to run my first Dale Carnegie workshop. If the workshop went well up to 6 individuals might enroll in my upcoming public class. I tried to get someone else to run the workshop. I had never conducted one and sure didn’t want to blow it. No one was available. I had to do it.

I arrived an hour early and sat in my car in a panic because this would be my first time. I then remembered Mr. Carnegie’s words, “if you act enthusiastic you will be enthusiastic.” I could do that. Then, I remembered the words of my junior high wrestling coach “act as if you are a state champ.” Well, I got out of my car with enthusiasm and renewed confidence. This company was so lucky because the best Dale Carnegie workshop presented on planet earth was just about to happen in Chambersburg, PA this very morning. Yes, great things were about to happen.

After 20 years, I really don't remember too much about what went on in that workshop. I do remember two clear results.

1. All six potential class members enrolled.

2. I never again asked someone else to run a workshop for me when I was available.

When you train and commit yourself to being the best that you can be at what you do on planet earth you will exceed expectations, yours and others!

Put another way. . . .

Be it!
Act like it
Think like it
Feel like it
Look like it
Speak like it

What are you going to differently to today to “Be it?”

Turkey Bowl Update - A Lesson in Selection

Since the 3rd grade we’ve known that if you pick the best players you win. My new son-in-law, Jeremiah, was selected by the other team in the Turkey Bowl. (to read more about the Turkey Bowl, click here) Not only did the other team win but Jeremiah, my new son-in-law, was awarded the Outstanding Player trophy. To think that my daughter Alexandra, in her first year of marriage (the wedding was 12/29/08), will be displaying the Outstanding Player of the Turkey Bowl trophy proudly on her mantel. . . WOW what a life! After all, my wife, Colleen, had to wait 10 years for that honor. It was the year that I dazzled the family team by throwing several touch down passes. As a result, I received that prestigious award. Interesting, now that I think back, shortly after I got it home somehow it was misplaced for 11 months. . . .

The facts above are true. The lesson for us as business professionals, who are growing and developing work teams, is that it’s all about selection and finding the right people. I know there are assessments and profiles to take that can help us determine who might be the right fit. I do believe they have a place in our thinking. We must also remember the skills we used in 3rd grade when picking our team, our intuition, our guts. It just makes me smile, thinking back over the last 20 years of sales management experience. Sometimes I wish I had trusted my guts more, like I did in the 3rd grade when picking a kick ball team at recess.

Selection of talent is critical this year as we all work through these challenging economic times. Those who survive and win, without question, made the best talent selections.

What is one of the best tool you’ve found to help select exceptional talent?

We have a wide range of assessments available, contact us for more information.