Change is Coming - Part 1
In this 3 part series, I want to talk to my network about a significant change I am making. The first part will discuss what I have been thinking about and experiencing over the past year. Part 2 will be about going into more detail about these experiences and the effect of these experiences beyond what I am seeing myself. Lastly, I will go into exactly what I will be doing moving forward.
Over the last two months, my mind has been consumed with the things happening around me that are outside of my typical work. We are all human, and the sayings around "work-life" balance or leaving personal problems at the door is virtually impossible. During the last nine years as a presales leader, I have always taken an interest in getting to know those on my team. It is not just who they are as it relates to their work performance and capabilities but what makes them tick, their family life, and the struggles they experience every day. As I mentioned, we are all human.
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I have been fortunate to help support people through difficult times, divorce, the loss of a friend, alcoholism, drug abuse, parenting issues, and more. Sometimes I was able to offer advice based on my own experiences (having five kids I have plenty of experiences), sometimes, I could only be someone there to listen, and sometimes I was able to help them take the time to go into a treatment facility. While we all have shared a common goal in the past with our colleagues, such as meeting our corporate objectives, in the end, we all build something that transcends any company, and those are human relationships.
Leading up to the last couple of months, I have seen people leave this world too early due to substance abuse. I have also experienced difficulties with one of my children developing substance abuse issues while away at college, in addition to mental illness. All these experiences have led me to contemplate a change and further more to act on it. What are these changes that I will be making? You will need to stick around until part 3. For now, I would like to leave you with a question. What role do you think mental illness and substance abuse play in today's society, in your hometown, and your personal life with your friends and family?
Director, Product Marketing at Zuora
2 年Appreciate you sharing Wayne. The anticipation!!
Analytics Executive | Solution Architecture | Data Engineering | ML | FP&A
2 年If I were a betting man, I think I would bet you are joining an old friend at a behavioral health company to make an impact.
Changing the way sales professionals Think, Behave & Communicate | International Speaker | Trainer | Author
2 年Heartfelt and inspiring Wayne. Thanks for sharing. Eager to hear the rest of the story. I know whatever it is, you will succeed!
Specialized in transforming and scaling PE-backed businesses, M&A and creating a culture of cross-functional collaboration.
2 年Such a vulnerable question to ask Wayne, thank you. I think mental illness and substance abuse is still swept under the rug/something one doesn't talk about and is covered up. Thank you for putting a spotlight on such an important topic. What would happen if we feel comfortable enough to ask for help or understanding?
? Author of The Social Sales Engineer ? Sales Engineering Coach ? Mindsetter?? ? Entrepreneur ? Leader of #TeamPhoenix ? CEO at Sales Hero GmbH ? MuleSoft Alumni
2 年Inspiring and tension-building post, Wayne. Well, I can only speak for Germany where beer is considered basic nutrition like bread. Young adults only feel confident when they drank a lot and as grown-ups, they "need" their after-work beer to relax. Tough to argue because it's part of our culture. Dangerous still because it destroys lives and families.