Don't lock your knees.
Daniel Redman
Sr. Director, M&A, Strategy, and Integration at SiteOne Landscape Supply
It was pointed out to me yesterday that it was the 20th Anniversary of my R-Day (Reception Day) at West Point. For anyone not familiar with the traditions of the Long Gray Line - R Day is the day New Cadets report for their summer training program and the beginning of a long journey.
In celebration of that milestone, I thought I'd share a few things I've learned since that day:
1) Don't lock your knees. It's easy to get so overwhelmed by the chaos surrounding you that you forget the basics. The result can be severe - or it can just be a quick brown out - a tumble backward and knock on the head. Keep perspective and know that it's ok to press pause in the chaos or ask for help if you need it. Don't be a hero - take a knee.
2) Everyone is dealing with something. My new roommate was standing behind me and still feels bad to this day that he didn't catch me or think to help. It's all good. He was busy processing the chaos - he wasn't expecting to get hit with an impromptu trust fall. Understand that you don't know all the problems someone else is facing. Give people the benefit of the doubt - they could turn into someone you rely on to help you get through difficult times (that's what happened here!).
3) Live in the moment. One of my biggest regrets from my time at West Point is that I was so busy trying to survive that I didn’t take advantage of the many opportunities that were available. The mentality of “get through this so you can do the next thing” might seem appealing in the moment – but you don’t know if, around the next corner in Hadid, Iraq is a pile of 155 shells trying to take that next thing away from you.
4) Do the right thing when no one is looking. Character matters. You should be surrounding yourselves, your families and your companies with people that will do the right thing – not for praise or for convenience, but because it is right. That shouldn’t be complicated – but for some reason, it seems to be. When you’re a new Lieutenant and your soldier thinks they found an IED (Improvised Explosive Device - it was) – just because your Company Commander is hot, and EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) is a couple of hours away – leaving a problem for someone else just because it’s inconvenient isn’t the answer. Be the leader that will peek over the edge of the ditch (and then run away quickly).
This could be a really long list and it grows every day. What lessons have you learned in your career that others might benefit from?
Offering technology & operational solutions with SFG's FlexOMS for the Subscription Box, Nonprofit, Membership, Retail, & Media industries.
4 年Just four very meaningful and important lessons. Thank you
Deputy General Counsel at STG Logistics, Inc.
4 年Good stuff Dan. Hope you're well.
Corporate Affairs, Communications, Reputation, Sustainability Leader
4 年Thank you for sharing and thank you for your service! It’s nice to have a “go to” at work and you are that for so many of us at Worthington! No doubt you learned procedures and “get it done” in the military as well.
Business Development Rep at Transhield - Custom Covers for Shipping and Storage Cargo Protection
4 年Thanks for sharing Dan, great list and one to note and live today.
Vice President Human Resources & Safety/Business & HR Transformation/Global Executive/Performance and Talent Management
4 年Great story Daniel. I can remember our first recruiting meeting together and it was this type of story that opened my eyes to the fact that our military have so much life experience thrust upon them at such an early age. These responsibilities create experience and wisdom which have application in life and business. I remember thinking there was nothing in our business world which could compare to what you had already experienced and nothing was ever going to rattle you. Thank you for your story, your service to this country and our continued relationship, even though we are many miles apart.