Together. We. Win.

You never know...

Sometimes life takes us down some paths we did not expect. Often it is because we meet impactful people, we are faced with certain challenges and we have unexpected experiences which shape our lives. Sometimes it is because of luck ... or, in my case, bad decisions (I’m my defense they were great ideas at the time). Life throws us challenges everyday. We have choices in how we handle these challenges.

As I look back on my career to date. I started thinking about the serendipity of my life events and where I took turns in life to redirect me. We all have vast and diverse life experiences. We all have challenges that test our fortitude. And many of us have been fortunate to have people along our journey who have made a difference. Many of these people helped us to make the “right” turns, or at least not make the wrong turns. You never know when these people show up in your life.

We interact with people everyday. Many great people, some not as much - they all impact us to a varying degree. Whether we learn what to do or what not to do. Whether we observe a style or trait... or we witness bad behaviors. They are recorded on our own personal hard drive. So I wanted to share a few personal files from my life journey.

Of course, Mom and Dad set the foundation with quotes like, “do it right the first time”, “be nice to everyone”, “lead by example”, “everything is math”, and “hard work always pays off”. But it was a few teachers along the way who (looking back) also made a lasting impression. My 5th grade teacher, my 7th grade social studies teacher, my 10th grade math teacher and my high school vice principle all changed my course. Some may have even pulled my ear or knocked my head (it was 30/40 years ago) to get my attention.

In respective order, they said some meaningful things which resonated with me (still today); “you have the ability to do great things - do not waste it by being a clown”, “you have tremendous ability to connect with everyone - use that as your power”, “Harmon, do not think intelligence alone will make you successful - you need to work harder son” and finally my high school vice-principle said to me after a bit of trouble I got in, “Harmon, (a trend as I look back was that most teachers called me by my last name) you need to channel your energies toward good things, do not get distracted by trivial things”.  

These are paraphrases, but nonetheless, they had a lasting impact on me. They saw some talent that I apparently did not appreciate at the time. They knew I could do better. Grades and friends and athletics all came pretty easy to me. They challenged me. Sometimes nicely, others a bit more candid. College and my early career was no different. My first business professor, the business department chair, my first boss, also named Dave, were all very impactful. My two bosses when I was in a training program, and my first CEO boss. Just a few who spent the time to help me grow. Additionally, a boss I really struggled with early in my career, also really made an impact - much larger than I would have guessed at the time. 

There is a theme to many of these impactful people. They were supportive, but also tough on me. They knew I moved through life being a quick study and very personable - but they called me out on making me work harder and pushing myself.

“Bring others with you”, “Network with your peers”, “words matter” (I have heard this many times throughout my career), “be your own competition”, “don’t settle”, “expect more, accept less”, “learn now, teach later”, and then... the aforementioned boss I struggled with. She did not have a singular quote or moment, instead she had an attention to detail and focus that has always stuck with me. For each project I worked on for her, when complete, she would sit with me and do a multi hour review of what went well and where I could improve AND THEN she would hand me a three or four page write-up summarizing my efforts and results on the project. She was tough, she was demanding, she was not nice sometimes, but she cared and she knew what made me tick - she forced me to be better and change my internal expectation of myself. I am thankful now (at the time I was stressed to the max because I thought I could never meet her expectations). These people had two things in common - they cared about me and they pushed me.

If we are honest about our careers and our success, we realize we did not do it alone. We were taught and mentored and pushed and criticized and loved and supported and disciplined and rewarded by far more than we probably can even remember ... it takes a village they say.

Today, I want to thank my village. A vast and very diverse village who have all helped me along the way to become a better man, husband, father, professional, friend, athlete, coach, mentor, etc.

Thank you for caring. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for making an impact. Thank you for making me a better Dave. 

Together. We. Win.