The Power of Character in Your Work

"Brian... I appreciate you being patient as I have pursued you. Sometimes you just have to believe in the people that believe in you!"

That statement changed everything for me.?It was a closing statement from Rob Chumley, SVP/CDO at Murphy USA gave me in an email as I was getting ready to drive away from a visit to the headquarters in El Dorado, AR in January, 2021.?

Rob is not a stranger to me.?I met Rob in January 2011 when I went to visit him at 7-Eleven for a potential job opening.?I was not looking to leave Speedway LLC, but I had been encouraged by friends in the FinTech industry to at least talk to 7-Eleven and get some idea of what else I could be doing.?

Prior to my role at Speedway, I had lost 2 jobs in the span of 10 years, both having to do with reduction or elimination of work force.?Speedway was very stable for me.?I had a future. I enjoyed what I did. I loved working with my peers and the leadership under which I served.?I had no reason to move from Ohio to Dallas TX.?

The day that I met Rob, I had nothing to lose.?One of the requirements of my visit was to present in PowerPoint an introduction of myself.??Not being very skilled in PPT, I went with what I knew:?I would tell a story and be funny.??If you know me and the ridiculous pictures that I take of myself, then you know the pics told a story all by themselves.??At the end of that presentation, he did not know exactly what to think, but he believed in the people who were recommending me to fill the role. He hired me.

Over the years, I was on and off working for him as his roles changed.?After he left 7-Eleven, I did not hear from him for a few years. However, in 2020 he reached out and wanted me to come to Arkansas to work for Murphy USA.??

My immediate reaction was, “Thanks, and No”…??I was comfortable where I was at, and more importantly, I loved where I lived.?My wife could not move because she loved her job and had just started work to get her independent license in Social work. She could not move for at least 2 years.?Why even consider a life that spent the week in El Dorado and the weekends in Frisco?

However, every few weeks Rob reached out to check in with me.?Slowly he got me to agree to just visit El Dorado, meet the people, and see the culture.???He talked to me about life after 7-Eleven.?I met the people, who are just amazing!?Then he asked me to believe… And I was sold.

?What I have learned about myself and leadership

1. ?Having Great Character is the highest accomplishment you can have.?Rob pursued me (again) because of my Character. He trusted my abilities, skills, and judgment.?When I said yes back to him (again), I reaffirmed to him my trust in his Character, abilities, skills, and judgment.
2. Transition requires a Successful Mindset.?Giving up easily, avoiding challenges, ignoring useful feedback sets us into a fixed mindset, one that does not change,?one that does not grow our abilities, skills, and judgement.???However, a Success Mindset focuses on Growth.?It embraces challenges, develops perseverance, learns from mistakes, and finds other people’s success inspiring!??Setting up a house in El Dorado when you are used to life in north Texas can seem uninspiring and too much change.?With a Success Mindset, all the challenges can be overcome.?
3. Never Negotiate against yourself.?This is the rule of never assuming you know someone else’s answer.?As soon as you assume their answer, you have closed a door for opportunity.???I learned this several years ago and have used it several times with Rob.??This rule puts me in the position to stay open minded.?Although I knew that I would be coming to Murphy USA after Rob asked me to believe in him, it did not stop me from asking questions…?19 questions, if you must know.??Rob thoughtfully went and obtained the answers, and we were able to determine a path of success.?I am so glad that I didn’t assume his answers and thankful he didn’t assume mine.

?From Being Lifted Up to Lifting Others Up

?A little over a year later, it was my turn to reach out to a former 7-Eleven Employee and ask Crystal Bucko to believe in those who believe in you.??Crystal believed and reaffirmed her belief in me.?Its another story being written, and I am honored to be part of it.??

?The long story short here is:?If you are looking for work or recruiting workers, Use your network.?Reach out to those you believe in, have a success mindset, and do not negotiate against yourself.?

Take a step of faith!