Big Hat, No Cattle

After I spoke at the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival about going back into the Hudson River to swim with the Navy Seals on their 3rd anniversary Seal Swim, I had someone ask me what would compel me to go back into the Hudson and put myself through that.

I've had a few people ask me that in the subsequent week. The answer is simple, but actually, the reason emanates several years in the past.

The simple answer is I am honored and humbled to be invited to be a part of a significant event commemorating the twentieth anniversary of September 11th, 2001, and those who were lost during Extortion 17 in Afghanistan. I am humbled to be with such a prestigious group of like-minded individuals who have served so gallantly to protect our freedoms to raise money for those vets who have fallen on hard times. In addition, having the opportunity to go back in the Hudson River, when that day could have ended so tragically different for me, hopefully, will give people a reference for turning the turmoil they may be facing into a triumph.

The more complex answer started many years before after I heard Tony Robbins tell a story at his Date with Destiny seminar.  

Tony tells a story about when he was asked to speak for the Marine Corps. During that talk to a group of Marines, he told a General, "People are a direct reflection of the expectations of their peer group." I asked him about that statement and he gave me additional insight into the power of your peer group. 

A few years ago, after I got offstage at MacDill Air Force Base, I spoke with an officer over lunch, and she asked me if I could leave her one piece of leadership wisdom with her troops; what would it be? My answer was what Tony shared with me about the expectations of your peer group. After I said that, the officer looked at me in stunned silence and told me that was one of the most impactful pieces of wisdom she had heard. 

In my next book, I am writing about the rollercoaster and turmoil I had shortly after the Miracle on the Hudson and the strategies I used to turn it around.  As I began writing my next book, I realized that my "challenging times" often came because I surrounded myself with a peer group that did not hold the standard I had set for myself. I then looked back throughout my life and found the same thing. I encountered problems when I was around people who had lower standards than me. When I surrounded myself with people who had the same or higher standards was when I excelled. I then remember something my mentor, Bill, told me when I went to him during one of those challenging times. 

As I shared the problems with Bill, I was early in my sales career.  Bill told me that many people in business "Wear a big hat but have no cattle." At first, I didn't know what that meant. He then explained it to me like this. Some people will present themselves as having a skill or doing something they have not done. They have not accomplished anything significant but look like a big shot but have nothing to back it up.  He told me to always surround myself with people who have achieved something before I take their advice.  A few years later, Tony told me the same thing, be around people who have "walked their talk." Since then, I have always strived to be around people who hold themselves to a high standard.

A couple of years ago, I started a new project and put myself in the proximity of someone who at first presented themselves as an authority on a topic I was interested in pursuing. As I went down the path with him, it became more apparent that he was a "Big Hat, No Cattle," and I subsequently had to divorce myself from association with him. It set me back for a short time but was a great reminder about the power of your peer group.

So, the more complex answer to the question of why I want to go back into the Hudson River with the Navy Seals is I am honored and humbled to be with a peer group of women and men who hold a higher standard and will be there with me as I will with them. We will all be there for those in need and struggling—being there for people who cannot support themselves at this time.

As I train to be with the Navy Seals on August 7th, I am humbled to have a team of people who are helping me raise my standard. One of those people is "Coach Patty." Coach Patty is a Head Masters Swim Coach who has trained Olympians and future Olympians. She has the patience of Job and is helping me reach my outcome to be there with the Navy Seals and serve. Coach Patty is the essence of "Big Cattle, No Hat." She walks her talk, is as humble as anyone I have ever met, and has the "street cred" to back it up.  

 One way to come out of any turmoil is to surround yourself with a peer group that has and will hold you to a higher standard. You are a direct reflection of the expectations of your peer group. If you are not growing the way you desire, it may be because a peer group that surrounds you either does not understand your mission or does not have the standards you need to grow. Find a mentor who has "walked their talk" and will show you the way. 

Find your "Coach Patty" and be around a group like the Navy Seals, who hold the highest standards.  

My mission is simple; help those who may be going through their own turmoil from the past year with a pathway to victory and triumph and understand that you didn't get this far only to go this far!

Treat the TURMOIL of 2020 as your year of preparation and 2021 as your year to TRIUMPH!

LEAD YOURSELF FIRST and CREATE YOUR FLIGHT PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE!

 Dave Sanderson is the President of his firm, Dave Sanderson Speaks International, based out of Charlotte, NC. On January 15th, 2009, Dave was one of the last passengers off the plane that crashed into the Hudson River, best known as The Miracle on the Hudson, considered the most successful ditching in aviation history. He has built a career as a motivational speaker, mentor, and author. Recently named one of the top 100 Leadership Speakers in Inc.com. Dave averages over 80 speeches a year for major corporations worldwide.