Whenever I cross the threshold of another birthday, it prompts some looking back over years. I never fail to dig up a few lessons when I examine the past, even my own. History is a great teacher if we just study it and pay attention.
The year 2016 marks my 67th year. Along the way I have made many wonderful friends and memories. I still remember all those close friends in Tay Creek who gave selflessly of themselves to help us through a severe weather crisis so we could have our cattle dispersal sale. Friends and neighbors like that will always have a special place in my memories.
Next among those for whom I have tremendous respect and gratitude are those teammates who stood with me at Apple when I was being harassed by an out of control vice president. My team was very supportive but none more so than Stephen and Robert, two of the managers working for me, and my talented area associate, Brenda. They all risked their jobs for me and like me and many others ended up losing their jobs because of an empty suit vice president with an agenda that had no business purpose.
You do not forget people who will not tolerate lies being told about you. That those same people are willing to stand up for the truth even if the consequences are harsh is a tribute to the kind of people they are. Situations like that always bring to mind Martin Niemöller and his famous speeches.
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
In order to have friends like those friends, you have to live by some rules yourself. These are mine.
- Never ask someone to do something you are not willing to do yourself. In fact if you have not done it yourself, you should do it just to learn what you are asking.
- Make sure your people have what they need to do their jobs as professionally as possible. One of those things might be space from upper management or the corporation.
- Make sure you mean what you say and deliver on those promises to the best of your ability.
- Care more for your team than you do for yourself, that pay raise or promotion.
- Never let your team be blindsided or sell them down the river.
- Cherish your beliefs and understand how they make you whom you are.
- Never do anything unethical that would tarnish your reputation or betray your beliefs. It is never worth it.
I learned my principles early in life from my family, mostly my mother, and as a Boy Scout. Later I was a young scout leader. Those lessons were reinforced by fours years at McCallie, a Presbyterian military high school, and my years at Harvard.
Ten years of farming in the wilderness of eastern Canada also taught me a lot about people, relationships, and why people do things for other people. And then there is the real story of Apple which is impossible to believe unless you lived it.
One of the great things about your principles is they make you feel comfortable as a leader. I always felt empowered because the right direction was always clear to me because my team had helped me figure it out. When you are a real leader, your team will follow you without threats or bribes because they know you have their best interests at heart.
I have never regretted having stood up and fought something that was really wrong. Many times it would have been easy to tuck my tail in and just do everything I was told whether it was right or wrong. That is not the way I was made. Sometimes you have to take a stand even if it is likely to be suicidal. Surviving to fight another day only makes sense if you can do it and live with yourself.
Self interest has to be tempered with care for a larger group. If you do not have a sense of responsibility for others, you need to figure out how to get it or your life will be hollow.
There are six other things that I have never lost sight of in challenging times.
- Winning is not everything.
- Everyone has something to contribute, you just have to find them the right spot.
- We can disagree about things and still be friends.
- Treating someone like you would like to be treated is a recipe for success.
- Burning bridges makes a return visit very difficult.
- Being a positive influence is the road to higher ground.
There are no magic solutions in life and not everyone will stand with you but you can be successful and be true to your beliefs. I know because I have managed to do it.
Six things that I have never lost sight of can help us through this challenging time.
- Winning is not everything.
- Everyone has something to contribute, you just have to find them the right spot.
- We can disagree about things and still be friends.
- Treating someone like you would like to be treated is a recipe for success.
- Burning bridges makes a return visit very difficult.
- Being a positive influence in any situation is the only way to live.
Six things that I have never lost sight of can help us through this challenging time.
- Winning is not everything.
- Everyone has something to contribute, you just have to find them the right spot.
- We can disagree about things and still be friends.
- Treating someone like you would like to be treated is a recipe for success.
- Burning bridges makes a return visit very difficult.
- Being a positive influence in any situation is the only way to live.
Six things that I have never lost sight of can help us through this challenging time.
- Winning is not everything.
- Everyone has something to contribute, you just have to find them the right spot.
- We can disagree about things and still be friends.
- Treating someone like you would like to be treated is a recipe for success.
- Burning bridges makes a return visit very difficult.
- Being a positive influence in any situation is the only way to live.
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