Don't lock your knees!

My passion for developing people has been one that leads me to create landscapes that have never existed before.

Speaking of landscapes- my HR world started in the most beautiful of landscapes- the Grant Teton mountains- on the border of Idaho/Wyoming. I was introduced to a junior leadership program within the Boy Scout program.

Picture this.

Me- a 16 year old kid- in an oversized boy scout uniform (socks and shorts included) trekking around muddy paths, avoiding bears, over indulging in a 25 lb. bucket of gummy bears (yes, 25 lbs.) and teaching 11 important leadership skills to other scouts my age.

After going on to be the Chairman of the Program at the age of 18- I realized that the thing I love the most in life- is investing time in PEOPLE.

Since that day- I have never looked back. I have spent the last 15 years serving as a cultural warrior. Well- I guess the word ‘warrior’ is bit of a stretch- as my weapons of choice are; positive influence, 1-1 mentoring, and morally principled leadership. I have found that all the paperwork, employee relations issues, training and recruiting, as well as all the legal compliance, tend to be a little easier if you use those 3 refined “weapons”.

As a nature loving- camp dwelling youngster I learned a very important lesson…the hard way.

One of the greatest honors- I was selected to hold the State flag for a big sporting event in the area. I was backstage preparing when my advisor gave me a last bit of advice, “Don’t lock your knees.”

I took the flag- assumed the position- and marched to post. The ceremony required me to stand at attention for roughly 40 minutes. 15 minutes into the program- I remember getting comfortable, slouching my back, and straightening my legs.

It wasn’t until after the fact that I learned what straightening your legs does. I ‘locked my knees.” Here’s a fun fact: Locking your knees reduces blood/oxygen to your brain, which leads to you passing out.

Yup- I locked my knees, and yup, in front of a stadium of people, I passed out.

Flash Forward 1 year. Same stadium, same troop of scouts, but this time- I was asked to hoist the United States flag. #BIGDEAL

Again- about a 40 minute program, but this time- there would be only two spotlights. One on the singer, singing the National Anthem, and the other on United States Flag.

I saddle up, make my way to my position- and get settled in for a 40 minute ‘standoff”. I was ready to win an award. “Best Color Guard of All-Time…John Peter Barrand”

We get to the 36 minute mark and I am just owning it! Standing never seemed so easy. The lights all dim- and two spotlights shine bright.

The singer’s voice pierces the dark of the arena with such passion that I’m sure the stands of full of tears. Big crocodile tears. My heart is beating to every note of the Star Spangled Banner.

Then it happens.

I go down. I slump over and pass out.

Again.

I remember waking up as my lifeless body is being quietly carried off the stage by 4 darkly dressed stagehands- I glimpse back to see another person adjusting himself into attention, holding the flag to finish out the Anthem.

Sure, I’m embarrassed, but it taught me something. From that time on- a personal motivational phrase for me has been “Don’t lock your knees.”

It means- don’t get complacent, don’t expect the ordinary, and don’t stand still.

Managing people requires that you never lock your knees. You always have to be in a position to act. People are a unique variable in business. Each human has different buttons, priorities, and goals. Yes, they all may have the similar titles, or even may look the same. But they are not like a line item on a P&L. They are not like a piece of marketing collateral. They can’t be ‘updated’ like an outdated piece of operational equipment.

People have the ability to choose. People can be emotionally influenced. People can increase in capacity.

It is for that reason- that I have never locked my knees.

The value of a company lies in its people.