Page 89 - Gary's Book - Final Copy 7.9.2017_Active

need, go with your gut and decide. Remember one of your primary roles is
direction.

Adopt a long timer’s mentality. See the plan through to completion. Finish well
and leave a legacy of success for the next person. Be positive and optimistic; do
not whine, especially in public. Optimism multiplies the energy level while
pessimism drains energy. People want to follow a leader who believes in what he

or she is doing. Give me the realistic aspirations of an optimist over the grim litany
of the realist any day.

Integrity matters, and it is difficult to gain. Once it is lost, it is almost impossible to
get it back. Be someone other people respect and know they can count on. Keep
God in your business dealings.

Looking back, I need to suggest to you that work is temporary, but family is
forever. Yes, I worked many hours but attempted to make time for family events. I
missed an occasional school event or big game, which I regret. There will always
be a crisis going on at work; it is always crunch time or there is a big meeting that
you cannot miss. I say, miss it. They can get along without you for a couple of
hours. Be there for your family, even during retirement. First, place the family

visits on your calendar, and then fill in the remaining stuff.

Because I had a high level of desire to achieve and accomplish along with an
extreme amount of energy, many of my superiors felt threatened by me, and it
became a tenure problem in several organizations. Therefore, I was released for
one reason or another; elimination of my position was the best one. You can work

yourself out of a job.

One of my career mentors once said, “Gary, remember a large corporation is like a
septic tank. Some of the biggest turds float to the top.” [Chuckle, chuckle!] That
almost makes my eyes water.

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