By Russell Williams - Six Difference Makers: A Canvas Of Influence For Good

2008 ~ SIX DIFFERENCE MAKERS: A Canvas Of Influence For Good

November 13th, 2012 | Author: Russell Williams

They Came My Way

“We don’t accomplish anything in this world alone and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.”

-  Sandra Day O’Connor

It was 2008. In June Senator Barrack Obama became the Democratic presidential candidate. On November 4th he was elected President with 338 electoral votes. In March the government began to intervene in the U.S. financial system crisis.   In May Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. The US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that Prisoners of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, had the right to challenge their detention in federal court.

The Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Memphis Tigers to win the NCAA Basketball Championship. Randy Pausch released The Last Lecture, creating a nationwide conversation.   John Grisham’s book, The Appeal, was released as was Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.

Charlton Heston, Bobby Fischer, William Buckley, Paul Newman, Tim Russert, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Suzanne Pleshette, and Cyd Charisse were among notable individuals who passed on.

By 2008 a small group of Orange County men had been meeting for several months reaching back into 2007. In its beginnings the group was convened at the invitation of Jeff Black and included Dave Elliott, Greg Arbues, Jeff Abbott, Bill Sanderson, myself and one other OC professional who had to step aside from participation because of a career change. By 2008 Denny Bellesi became part of the group. Since that time the group has met on the second Friday morning of each month.

Jeff did not have an agenda when we gathered the first few meetings. After several months, it became clear that the group would not operate with an agenda of shared action, but rather something unique would emerge. As Bill Sanderson has said on several occasions over the last few years about this monthly meeting…it is the only meeting he attends monthly where there is no agenda, no action plan of deliverables, yet always filled with unscripted meaning and outcome that brings influence for good to many, many people throughout Orange County.

Imagine you, my reader, reflecting upon your own experiences with a small group that you may have been involved with…perhaps a Vistage Group, a men’s or women’s group or a tight bond of friends that gather regularly and purposefully to connect.

What makes a group bonded while it moves month to month and year to year as a living entity? I believe it is found in the shared history that the group creates. Gathering for meaningful conversation does require vulnerability.   It invites conversations of both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Such groups constantly paint on a landscape that connects the personal and the professional self.   Such groups constantly carry forward into each meeting the residue of goodwill and blessing that comes from knowing what trusted relationships feel like.

Meeting monthly with this group of men has become a special gift to my life.   It was the first time in my life that I had experienced such a bond. What I have found in the experience was surprising, as I believe it has been for the other men. What that means is…we have uncovered the shared worth of who we are to ourselves and to each other!

It was during 2008 our group made a big discovery together that would set into motion its influence for good. We discovered that we did not gather to create and initiate a shared agenda of action.

Instead, we discovered we gathered to explore mutual influence built on a principle…influence is organic not linear…as Sandra Day O’Connor concisely states in the weavings of individual threads from one to another creates something.

The men in this small group each bring their thread of good.   They know they are bonded by the mutual strength of the individual threads that connect and interact.

At any particular meeting we may talk about one or more of those individual threads. In doing so, it is obvious that the bond of trust that shapes the group does strengthen each individual thread…in its own time…and way… for expression and action.

Does this group have fun in its monthly weaving of mutual influence? Absolutely! Does it listen openly and hear stories of expectancy and sorrow? Regularly! Does it welcome new ideas? Always. Does each meeting end with optimism? Continuously! Does the group honor its commitment of mutual friendship? At its core!

These men…Dave, Jeff, Greg, Jeff, Bill and Denny are Difference Makers in my life. They have come my way for me to learn a valued lesson: The life threads of others is what makes the canvass of Life stunning and strong!

These men are symbol and substance of the Good that comes to us and through us as we make ourselves available to one another for grander purposes than getting for ourselves alone.

It is the weaving of the threads that ultimately shapes the influence for good at home, at work and in the community.

 Appreciating you on the ethical edge!

Russell Williams, Founder/President

Passkeys Foundation/Ethical Edge

www.ethicaledge.org

Posted in They Came My Way

A Relationship Story - It's All About The Mustard

Just how important are the details?  Well, perhaps it's better to ask "how important is being better than your competition?"

The details are the competitive advantage.  Buyers have the right to expect excellence.  Excellence simply must reflect, as part of its definition, an unwavering commitment to getting the details right. 

Let me illustrate this with a story about mustard (yes, mustard).  Up to the 1940's, Major League Baseball ballpark experiences had always been only slight variations of each other - all had games and hot dogs, but the creativity was pretty limited over the then 70+ year history of the game.  Then came Bill Veeck, and nothing would ever be the same.

Veeck bought the Cleveland Indians in 1947 and set out to entirely change the fan experience.  He also intended to win more games and fill more seats.  In fact, he led the Indians to their first (and only) World Series championship in 1948 and set an all-time Major League Baseball attendance record in the process (an attendance increase in just one year of an astounding 72%!)  There were many reasons, but the details of the fan experience played a major part. 

This insatiable innovator set out to create the most extraordinary fan experience possible.  He was famous for grandstanding with outlandish promotions that turned the conservative world of baseball on its ear.  However, the painstaking research and preparation he insisted upon really helped to create the right environment for magic to happen. 

Veeck personally evaluated every detail, including the choice of mustard for the hot dogs, ensuring that it was consistent with the pallets of the local fan base.  It just wouldn't do to throw out the conventional yellow bottle we all know so well.  He knew that getting people to the ballpark was a local/regional thing - the Northern Ohio fan was his market, not the average supermarket customer anywhere buying normal old French's.

I believe this story reflects a parallel with our business lives.  Following the lead of great innovators can help us focus our efforts and remind us of what is truly important.  Also, while Bill Veeck was a true maverick and a very controversial figure, the success of his team on the field was unmistakable.  I can’t help but believe that his attention to detail had a lot of influence on the team’s success – certainly a lot more than just having crazy promotions.  He insisted on as much focus on detail with his player decisions as he did with the mustard.

Perhaps we should ask ourselves how we might tailor our approach to our own customers in order to ensure we are focusing on the details that matter most.  Customers don't all need the same solution, but each of them definitely needs something specific.  We had better be thinking about what "mustard" our customer really likes and make sure to serve it every time, on time and under budget.  If we don't, our competition surely will.

Here's to paying attention, reading the tea leaves, and taking nothing for granted.

Thanks for sharing time with me; as always, I welcome your feedback.  Please feel free to pass this message along to others who may find value. 

Reference: Bill Veeck – Baseball’s Greatest Maverick by Paul Dickson

Sincerely,

Jeff Black

Partner, McDermott & Bull Executive Search

Cell: (714) 356-1949   Office: (949) 529-2672

2 Venture, Suite 100    Irvine, CA 92618

black@mbsearch.net    www.mbsearch.net    http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffblackmcdermottbull    http://www.jeffblackmcdermottbull.blogspot.com/

A Relationship Story: Passion - Really Living

Sitting in a darkened arena, waiting for the unexpected - I just knew there must be something special about this guy.  Why had so many found this to be something they would not miss - time after time after time.  I'd been to a lot of concerts since the 1970's, but finally in 2012...it was time to see The Boss. This past April 27th, my close pal Roger Kraemer (President of ProActive Direct Marketing and a founding member of the DifferenceMakersOC organizing committee) treated me to the Bruce Springsteen concert at the classic old L.A. Sports Arena. 

I really had no idea what I was in for; I was also surprised to find that "it" actually had little to do with the songs, the lyrics, or even the message.  I simply could not believe the passion that was delivered.  The experience during the first 15 minutes was truly unbelievable.  The intensity of the effort by Bruce and the band...the pure emotion of non-stop power songs woven together brilliantly...the realization that this was all being delivered as a gift from the heart just for me (and the 15,000 other "mes" in the hall)...it actually brought tears to my eyes. I simply had no way to anticipate how much all of them were giving to all of us.

When we truly love doing something for others, they know it.  When we go through the motions, nobody is fooled.  Experiencing that show made me realize that I want to live that way all the time.  I want everything I do to approach, even a little bit, the amount of caring, concern and commitment that I felt in watching that show.

After the show, Roger said "that was the best concert I've ever seen".  I realized at that moment that I hadn't even thought to compare it to other such events. This was much more than just a concert; this was the Vin Scully of concerts.  It simply cannot be compared.

There are a lot of other examples of this kind of passion within great people in my life - the insatiably curious, those that are driven to achieve and discover new things, and the folks who care enough to truly make a difference.  You know a lot of these folks also, don't you?  These people inspire me just like Bruce did.  It is very clear that I am drawn like a magnet to people like this - as much as anything in my life, these individuals fuel my own passions.

How many of us encounter people that lack passion, that have too little soul, that don't really know what matters to them?  I know that, at least for me, this would be no way to live.  Here's to all of us finding what inspires us, living passionately, and committing our hearts and souls to what matters more to us than anything.

Thanks for sharing time with me; as always, I welcome your feedback.  Please feel free to pass this message along to others who may find value. 

References:    ProActive Direct Marketing  www.proactivedirect.com

Backstreets.com (April 27^th show set list included) - Bruce Springsteen Fan Site http://www.backstreets.com/setlists2012a.html

Sincerely,

Jeff Black

Partner, McDermott & Bull Executive Search

Cell: (714) 356-1949   Office: (949) 529-2672

2 Venture, Suite 100    Irvine, CA 92618

black@mbsearch.net    www.mbsearch.net    http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffblackmcdermottbull    http://www.jeffblackmcdermottbull.blogspot.com/

Jeff Black Featured on Radio Program - Critical Mass for Business

Please drag the green bar to the 25 minute mark once the video is downloaded to listen to Jeff Black discuss his search practice, what differentiates the practice and what he believes to be the key to achieving purpose through your career. 

A quick guide:

25:00   My background - How did I get here?
26:45   What differentiates my McDermott & Bull search practice?
31:30   My "Guiding Principle" - A focus on Difference Makers
38:45   The current environment in Executive Search
40:15   Emotional Intelligence
41:15   The importance of FIT as companies add new executive talent
43:15   A key learning - Becoming a servant
44:45   The Future - Staying true to my purpose and vision

Thank you for your support.  I'd love to hear your feedback.  Feel free to send me an email or call.

Jeff Black

Partner, McDermott & Bull Executive Search
Cell: (714) 356-1949   Office: (949) 529-2672
2 Venture, Suite 100    Irvine, CA 92618
black@mbsearch.net    www.mbsearch.net    http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffblackmcdermottbull    http://www.jeffblackmcdermottbull.blogspot.com/

"Just Do The Right Thing...Every Time"

A Relationship Story - What They Won't Forget

Sometimes, the unexpected can feel good – a recent email I received was a great example. It came from a fellow that I didn’t know but had invited me to connect on LinkedIn (and I realize this happens a lot for most of us). His follow up email caught me by surprise as it did nothing but thank me and express a willingness to be helpful if possible.

What’s so special about this for me? Well, we all sell ourselves in one way or another, but this note made me realize how different it feels when I’m not being asked for anything.

In my last story I quoted the philosopher Immanuel Kant and warned that I’d be doing it again – the additional Kant point that I knew I wanted to share was a key belief about how to treat others. Instead of treating others as a means to an end (the way so many emails and messages can feel), Kant’s guidance is that we need to treat people as an end in themselves, to consider them on their own terms. Perhaps this fellow’s email felt different to me because it wasn’t based on self-interest?

However, we still have to sell ourselves, don’t we? A bit of a paradox, eh?

I recently came across a quote from the poet Maya Angelou that offers a glimpse of insight that seems to help (at least it helps me): “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Of course it’s not easy to think first about how a message will be received by others – it’s so easy (and almost normal in our world) to focus first, if not always, on our own self-interest. I know this is really hard for me. But when I ask myself who the people and groups are that I most appreciate and respect, I have to admit that they are nearly always the folks that make me feel the most welcomed and valued. What do you find is true for you?

I suppose focusing on how we make others feel might not help us win the X Factor on TV and impress Simon Cowell, but I am hoping that there might be an appetite in our world for a bit more substance.

Here’s wishing all of us a little perspective as we consider how our messages and choices truly serve the other people in our lives.

Thanks for sharing time with me; as always, I welcome your feedback. Please feel free to pass this message along to others who may find value.

Sincerely,

Jeff Black
Partner, McDermott & Bull Executive Search
Cell: (714) 356-1949 Office: (949) 529-2672
2 Venture, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92618

black@mbsearch.net
www.mbsearch.net
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffblackmcdermottbull      http://www.jeffblackmcdermottbull.blogspot.com/

"Just Do The Right Thing...Every Time"

A Relationship Story - Corporate Social Responsibility - Survey Results ... and a Twist

My thanks to over 400 people who offered their opinion on the question posed in my recent story entitled: The New Perk – Social Responsibility (the original story is copied below).

The “Yes or No” question was:

“Do you believe that employee loyalty will improve as a direct result of the company choosing to be actively involved in support of charitable causes?”

Yes, there was a clear answer: 3/4 of the responses were YES.

This result does help us understand the “gut feel” impression that most people felt relative to the question. You probably aren’t surprised that I am happy to know that most people find corporate social responsibility to be a pretty good thing.

Now, obviously, the question of employee loyalty is hard to answer in a “black and white” manner. Many responses provided insights into the complexities associated with employee loyalty, and obviously corporate social responsibility is only one of many factors that define the relationship between a company and its employees.

I especially enjoyed one unique perspective that was shared by a few folks: A company should probably ask itself why it puts energy into social responsibility – is it because they “get something out of it” like employee loyalty, or is it because it’s the right thing to do? This idea really resonated with me after having recently read the book Justice by Harvard political philosopher Michael Sandel addressing the subject across a broad spectrum of political/social philosophies.

It was Immanuel Kant that really got to me. I had heard his name but that’s all I knew about this extraordinary 18th century philosopher. Among other great concepts (you may hear about him again in a future story), it was his fascinating definition of freedom that fit so perfectly with this question about the motives associated with a company’s social responsibility. According to Kant, real “freedom” is making choices based solely on whether they represent the right thing to do – not making choices as a means to an end, but instead making the choice as an end in itself without concern for consequences, conditions or outside influences. Now I’m not suggesting this is easy – of course it isn’t – but wouldn’t it be nice if we could always just do the right thing?

Of course it’s totally “normal” for companies to think about most everything on a cost/benefit basis; why would we expect that their approach to social responsibility would be an exception without their conscious decision to think differently? However, the survey feedback clearly suggested that employees (and I’d expect customers, partners and everyone else) are enlightened observers as to the real motives behind a company’s approach to social responsibility.

Really, companies aren’t very different from each of us as individuals. Our motives are probably a lot more clear to others than we may realize. Here’s wishing all of us more clarity, conviction, and focus on doing the right thing.

Thanks for sharing time with me; as always, I welcome your feedback. Please feel free to pass this message along to others who may find value.

Sincerely,
Jeff Black
Partner, McDermott & Bull Executive Search
Cell: (714) 356-1949 Office: (949) 753-1700 ext. 310
2 Venture, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92618

black@mbsearch.net
http://www.mbsearch.net/   
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffblackmcdermottbull http://www.jeffblackmcdermottbull.blogspot.com/

"Just Do The Right Thing...Every Time"

A Relationship Story - The New Perk - Social Responsibility

I want to share an idea and get your feedback.

In my retained search practice I get to see the way a lot of companies approach their business and their people – every company has a set of values that guide their reality and behavior (but these are not always the same as what is posted on the wall, if you know what I mean). As you might know, I find myself drawn to people and companies that value and commit to making a difference in our community. I find myself wondering about how a company’s focus on service to others might be a potential opportunity to better connect with their employees.

Three great examples of companies that do this well are Golden State Foods, Edwards Lifesciences and Panda Restaurant Group. In all of these companies, employees have a clear understanding that their company is committed to involvement in and support for charitible causes, and each company makes a conscious effort to actively involve their employees (and also to let their employees play a lead role in choosing the causes to support).

Also, each of these three companies appears to have a distinctively strong and special bond with their employees. I’m wonderering about the correlation between employee loyalty and these companys’ choice to make giving back a key focus of their cultural priorities and company identity?

Of course, this connection is surely not the same for every employee; great companies include a wide variety of people and beliefs. Sure, it’s easy to assume that employees who are, themselves, actively involved in the community would appreciate their company’s involvement in making a difference beyond the bottom line. Also, it appears that younger workers (the Milleneal generation) are characterized as seeking a high degree of meaning in their work, so perhaps there is some natural affinity among many in this group.

However, many employees are not motivated to be actively involved in support of charitable causes. So does a company’s contributive approach to the community have any positive impact on the connection with these individuals? If a company’s socially-conscious commitment yields reputation benefits and positive impressions from their customers, couldn’t employees that are not active in the community also be positively affected?

The answers to these questions may not be totally clear, and I don’t know that there is extensive emperical data that provides proof. So let’s create some of our own, shall we? I want to get your input on the simple question that follows. I will compile the answers and share them with everyone.

YOUR QUICK INPUT REQUESTED – Please send a quick email back to me with your YES or NO ANSWER to: “Do you believe that employee loyalty will improve as a direct result of the company choosing to be actively involved in support of charitble causes?”

A Quick Business Update: I was thrilled to have been engaged for a search by a leader that had recently been a candidate of mine in a search – after joining a new company she recommended me and told her CEO that her experience as a candidate with me was so positive that she wanted the same approach to be used with candidates for their company.
Thanks for sharing time with me; as always, I welcome your feedback. Please feel free to pass this message along to others who may find value.

Sincerely,

Jeff Black
Partner, McDermott & Bull Executive Search
Cell: (714) 356-1949 Office: (949) 753-1700 ext. 310
2 Venture, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92618

black@mbsearch.net
http://www.mbsearch.net/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffblackmcdermottbull    http://www.jeffblackmcdermottbull.blogspot.com/

"Just Do The Right Thing...Every Time"

How Candidate Experience Can Impact a Company’s Brand

Recently an executive leader had an unexpected experience in a retained search with our firm. I believe this helps illuminate how candidate experience can be a key to a company’s brand and “success” in recruiting.

The former SVP of HR for a nationwide retailer was a candidate in the VP of Field HR search that I am conducting for the Panda Restaurant Group; she interviewed with the client but found the role wasn’t the right fit. However, her experience with me and our firm would lead to a special next step.

Upon this HR leader taking on a new top HR leadership role, she promptly called and asked me to perform a search for her new company. I was very pleased when she told her CEO how her experience as a candidate with me was the way she wants candidates for their company to be treated and evaluated by a search consultant.

While this has happened other times in my 9+ years as a search consultant, it seems timely to share this recent experience, as I would suggest that any company should be mindful of how they are being represented by a search partner in these vital candidate development relationships. Here are some key reasons:

Impressions Impact Brands: Companies take their internal recruiting processes very seriously, and I have heard the term “candidate experience” from an HR executive to describe it as a key internal recruiting priority. So why would the impression made by external partners be any less important?

Candidates who are enriched and reinforced by their interaction with a search consultant gain a greater affinity for the company who could be their next employer. On a retained search, we find ourselves talking to very influential people in the market. Our client’s brand is materially impacted by the way that we, as a search partner, interact with each candidate and tell our client’s story in a passionate and truthful manner.

In addition, the choice of a search partner also reflects on a company’s business practices, and I often suggest to candidates that their experience with me is a reflection of how my client company makes decisions.

Interviewing – Advocating for Our Client: I believe that interviewing by a search consultant must be a way to both tell our client’s real story and also to get to know the truth about candidates – I believe it must be much more than just a confirmation of achievements and accomplishments. This interviewing approach is what created this recent “candidate turned client” opportunity. Candidates often comment that their interview with me was both self-reflective and also a great way to learn what’s most important to the company they might join.

This process starts with listening to our client from the start – spending time to get to know key people, but more importantly to try to understand the culture, values and foundation of a company, or otherwise stated: “what’s most important”. The way a candidate is drawn to join a company is about a lot more than money or title. I find that most people wish for a professional opportunity that aligns with what they consider most important in their lives.

Interviews for our clients need to be relationship building experiences. In order to really get to know a candidate, sharing insights into the client company is the beginning of building trust. This trust is critical to enable candidates to share real insights into themselves – to help us learn about their motivations, their principles and their ideals. I believe these are critical insights our clients really need. A healthy relationship established with a candidate during our interviews is the beginning of the critically important relationship needed between candidates and their future employer.

A Distinctive Approach to Retained Search

Some think Retained Search is a commodity. My clients seem to believe that what we offer is distinctive.

Of course, our firm is great at candidate sourcing and recruiting and we offer a highly professional approach to representing our clients; also, our consultants’ have career backgrounds (including my own 20+ years) as corporate senior executives, providing us a client’s perspective.

However, the experience of candidates is a critically important element of success for our clients on our search projects. Our focus on candidate experience provides our clients with a tremendous jump start for a successful relationship with a future member of their leadership team.

Please let me know if I can help your company or other growing organizations.

Sincerely,

Jeff Black
Partner, McDermott & Bull Executive Search
Cell: (714) 356-1949 Office: (949) 529-2672
2 Venture, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92618
black@mbsearch.net http://www.mbsearch.net/ http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffblackmcdermottbull http://www.jeffblackmcdermottbull.blogspot.com/

"Just Do The Right Thing...Every Time"

A Relationship Story - If Van Morrison Only Knew...

I have a family of Brown Eyed Girls, and that song has always been a big favorite among the four of us. We used to listen to it driving around with our daughters when they were little. You might have a similar experience with songs that matter a lot to you.

Recently, the four of us attended a wonderful event together – a wedding in the family of our younger daughter’s long-time boyfriend. We were sitting with our older daughter and her boyfriend and enjoying a nice time. Then the DJ played Brown Eyed Girl. Immediately, I was transported back 20 years and could hear them both singing along in the back seat.

I sprang into action. I just knew that we had to have a “family moment” as this special song was playing, so my hand shot up to flag down our younger daughter to come over and join us. I waved and I waved but to no avail. She didn’t see me. Then I realized something really important.

She didn’t see me because she was playing a valuable role that day. Her boyfriend’s family was really busy and needed another pair of hands and she knew she could be helpful. It seems she naturally was.

At that moment, I had to let go, just a little, of one of my Brown Eyed Girls. She wasn’t the little girl in the back seat anymore; she was the adult, doing exactly what was needed at the moment. Being a parent is tough sometimes, but I guess we have to let them go to be what they are destined to be.

Now, I suppose, Van the Man might not be quite as sentimental about this experience as I seem to be. He probably isn’t really conscious of some knucklehead and his family in Southern California who love his 40 year old song. He may not care, but he might be surprised that what he “said” with this song is still sticking with people so many years later.

It makes me think about how each of us really never know what impact we have on others. Obviously, the big things always matter, but it seems that even the smallest interactions with others might be significant – and we really can’t know what will be. While I know that I mess up all the time, I’m trying more and more to remember that what I say, how I treat people, and what “comes naturally” to me could possibly have a big effect on others. We really can’t know for sure.

I’m sure each of us has stories to tell about how little things have mattered a lot. Have you ever recalled something that was significant in your own memory, but when you mentioned it to someone else who was also there, they don’t recall it at all? We really don’t know what will matter, do we? Here’s to keeping in mind that how we choose to behave makes a difference in the lives of others, and even the small stuff matters.

Thanks for sharing time with me; as always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback and please feel free to pass this message along to others who may find value.

Quick Business Update: I’m excited to announce that Zena Peltier (peltier@mbsearch.net) has joined my practice as Associate Consultant. Having come off a very strong 2011 we want to be prepared for increasing client needs in 2012 as the labor market for high-impact talent is clearly tightening. We stand ready to help.

Sincerely,

Jeff Black
Partner, McDermott & Bull Executive Search
Cell: (714) 356-1949 Office: (949) 753-1700 ext. 310
2 Venture, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92618
black@mbsearch.net http://www.mbsearch.net/ http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffblackmcdermottbull http://www.jeffblackmcdermottbull.blogspot.com/