Life Lessons from Uncle Brian

I’ve been in Europe for 30 years, and also a proud Dutchman now, but as many of my friends and colleagues in business know, have never made a secret of my Canadian roots. I was born in Baie Comeau, Quebec. A small town on the north shore of the St Lawrence river about halfway to Labrador from Montreal. A long, long way from Amsterdam. Between time there and in the even more exotic Port Cartier further down the river, spent most of my childhood growing up en fran?ais thinking English was an exotic language on the way to extinction. All of which led to some linguistic and cultural confusion (or fusion), often resolved on the hockey rink. And in a way led in turn into my business career in international branding & communications.

But the truth is that there is only one “boy from Baie Comeau”: The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993.

To us though he was Uncle Brian. Little brother to my beloved mother (RIP), and my namesake. Before politics and fame, he was merely the coolest possible uncle in Montreal. During and after politics he was the coolest possible uncle anywhere. He left us a couple of weeks ago. I will be going back to Montreal this week to both mourn and celebrate his life with family and to mark the end of an era. The Irish blood runs strong in our family so you will forgive a bit of sentimentality in this business forum. He is together again with my mom, in a better place, where the Habs will win the Stanley Cup.

For international friends who have not followed the intricacies of Canadian politics in the late 20th century, there is plenty you can read about in the recent press about his life, including the critical Free Trade agreements with the USA & Mexico, essential fiscal reform, and dedication to Canadian national unity with Quebec at its inseparable core.? We can leave historians to the full judgement. I believe history will be kind.

Brian Mulroney also had a real and outsized impact for Canada on the global stage, showing how medium or smaller powers can exercise influence beyond their relative size. (I might add that the Netherlands under Mark Rutte has done well in this regard). A few examples of his intentional role:

South Africa - Leadership role in ending apartheid and helping free Nelson Mandela - in opposition to Reagan and Thatcher and many business interests.? Highest award from South Africa for his service.

Germany - One of only 3 leaders recognised in the Bundestag by Helmut Kohl for his help and support of the reunification of Germany.

France - Commandeur de la Légion d’honneur -? highest honours - big supporter of francophonie, and friend of France.

Environment - Named Canada’s greenest Prime Minister for his efforts on the environment (noteworthy as a conservative) - “it’s easy to stand up to your enemies, it’s hard to stand up to your friends” said Elizabeth May leader of Canada’s Green party.? Stopping acid rain, saving the ozone layer, biodiversity and much more.

USA - Invited to give the eulogies for two American Presidents - Reagan and Bush Sr.

Japan - Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. Sought to redress the injustice committed to Japanese Canadians during WW2, and considered Japan a key ally.

Ukraine - First western country to recognise an independent Ukraine, and recipient of their highest honour.

——

Books have been written…but before this post becomes a book here are 5 short practical lessons from beyond politics that may help you in business life.? On occasion, despite the time and distance, Uncle Brian would give me some of the most sought after advice on the planet. Because uncle though he may have been, he was in every way - The Boss. I would have been more successful had I listened more carefully to him. Maybe you can benefit instead:

1. Keep your eye on the ball:

There are so many distractions in life and business. Compounded by the current idiot factor of social media. Focus is the indispensable?element to success in any venture.? Decide what game you are really playing and always keep your eye on whatever is the most essential thing - the ball - in your game. Focus. Say no more than yes. Listen.?

2. Do Big Things:

There will come a moment in your life and career, maybe sooner than you think, that the stars will align and you will have be in a position to make something really big happen.? Maybe you are in the C suite, you are the CEO, CMO, CTO, or even an ambitious brand manager, or a cocky ad man.? When those moment arrive, seize them, and give it everything. "Le beau risque" to borrow an expression from Quebec.

In our creative agency world, and I think most business ventures, the truth is if you are lucky you get maybe 2 or 3 chances a year - chances not certainties - to make something happen that will move the needle, and make a genuine difference for you clients and for your career.

Some get to the top and become risk averse. If there is one thing Brian Mulroney can teach it is that you are given or earn "capital" (in politics as in business) to invest in doing the hard things, the big things with?long term impact. You will be criticised no matter what. Take your best shot. That is your duty. You will have fewer big opportunities to make a meaningful difference than you think.

3. Don't burn your bridges:

You will be fired someday. You may lose your job. People you thought were your closest friends will betray you. Your agency may lose its biggest client for?no good reason (happened to me). If you are trying to do anything big (see point 2) then chances are high you will suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. In those moments you will be sorely tempted to lash out at those whom you blame for whatever misfortune, to allow emotion to get the best of you. Don't do it.

We almost never know the full picture of what is happening on the other side. That person who gave you the bad news likely is only the messenger. Someone’s godfather owned the other agency that took your biggest client (happened to me). Someone else has cut the budget, canceled the product, or just has a new boss who has decided to clear out the stables. You don't have to be happy, but don't burn that bridge. People will remember - for good or ill - how you behaved. My Irish blood has occasionally gotten the better of me in?business. That was almost always a mistake. If you are doing big things you will also fail big.

A remarkable thing to see is the number of political adversaries that had the most affectionate relations with my uncle Brian. But he never believed that his opponents were his enemies.?A lesson for business life as well.

4. Family first (& friends a close second):

Whatever we may do in business life, the business of life is more important. Life can be fragile, and it can change in a minute. Family is everything. Extending to friends if you are lucky.? Take care of both. You can't phone or zoom it in. In today’s jargon “be present”.? (Inside tip - he didn’t do social media) Uncle Brian had the extraordinary gift of making whomever he was speaking to feel like the most important person in the world at that moment, and remembering the smallest details. Like all good things it takes effort. Don't forget it.

5. See lesson 1.

“He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again.”