“Resilience” ... a vital priority for leaders!

 

 

I had the real pleasure to recently attend a conference convened by a VC firm that I have been working with over the past year.  Across my 40-year career (I know… that’s quite a few conferences!!) I have attended or spoken at innumerable events… but few more challenging, thought provoking or compelling that this event held in Chicago last month.  The host organization identified four major global trends/dynamics that are facing companies, countries and communities broadly, and brought in world level experts in their fields to talk candidly about where the world stood on these topics and what issues were to be faced in the years ahead… nothing candy coated…with voices across the political spectrum to reduce partisan bias… and while each topic was exceedingly challenging, the confluence of the four literally took my breath away!  

Four Major Global trends

·      Climate Change: Assume global warming continues its upward trend

·      AI: the explosion of AI across industries/roles and the increased energy demand associated to its expansion

·      Geo-Political Realignment: the ascendency of China and the “re-alignment” of global alliances vs post WW II models

·      Decline of the U.S. Dollar as “sole/primary” global reserve currency and the impact of a widening U.S. deficit

I am not going to try to summarize each point, of to explore some of the side discussions that centered around areas where the four trends interacted/collided… instead I want to share how I “FELT” as I headed to the airport to fly home.  Intellectually energized, and professionally challenged are beyond understatements… but I kept thinking how we need to work on ( build, enhance, help, guide, teach,” you name the appropriate verb) our companies, our communities, our teams, our families to be stronger, more durable and ultimately more “resilient” to face the incredible challenges ( and opportunities) that lie ahead!  My core takeaway from the Chicago conference was our need to be “resilient-centered” leaders, teachers, and parents!

Dictionary

Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more

re·sil·ience

/rəˈzilēəns/

noun

1. 1. 

the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

"the remarkable resilience of so many institutions"

2. 2. the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity."nylon is excellent in wearability and resilience"

 

I began digging into the idea that it was naïve, and actually dangerous to try to “wish away” or ignore the challenges coming our way.  Our focus should be on how to “avoid” the problems ahead… but how to “recover” or “bounce back” from what will certainly be tough years (maybe decades) ahead.  This orientation around resilience in leaders is one that I haven’t thought about deeply before and certainly not one that I have tried to coach/teach or recruit for… but now is center to my focus.  Too many times, we have recruited/promoted young leaders because of their achievements and successes (seems logical) NOT because of the biggest challenges/problems/issues they have faced.  Our focus in on the “good-stuff,” not how big of an issue/challenge/problem have they “sprung back” from across their career.  This “resilience orientation” was top of mind for me coming out of the professional conference in Chicago, but it made me think about how to build a “resilient” leadership culture in a company or in a culture.

Its hard to visualize but imagine scrolling through “Linked In” on a random day, and rather than seeing post after post of exciting new roles/achievements/accomplishments/etc., one would see highlights of leaders/teams facing significant challenges, and recovering/bouncing back in great fashion… learning lessons on how to recover and be “resilient” in the face of challenge/dilemma.  A different landscape than today… a “resilience centered” landscape that we need to work towards regardless of industry, company or culture. 

You might wonder at this point of the essay what the picture above has to do with the theme of “resilience.” The picture is from a recent family vacation and has our kids Bryson and Marie (along with their “significant others” Meg and James) at the beach and in the surf with yours truly sitting under an umbrella on the sand. That morning the surf kept growing… the waves getting larger... and the “kids” handled the changing landscape brilliantly!   They first jumped over the coming waves, at times they “body surfed” them into shore, and at times they dove below the breaking waves to come out the other side…the waves were coming and getting larger…there was no stopping that… but how they handled them kept changing and expanding… their “resilience” kept growing as conditions changed.

Coming our of that conference, I am “chewing on” this idea of “resilience” and I know I will be processing it for some time…I am looking for ways to build my personal “leadership resilience” and I hope that you can find ways to build your “resilience” ( and the “resilience” of your teams) to face the challenges that most certainly lie ahead!

Leaders...nourish your spirit!

It may seem like an odd topic to highlight, but I have had a number of conversations with friends/associates recently that have brought this issue front and center.  The mixture of  "normal" business issues, combined with fast changing economic trends, credit market fluctuations, global tariff challenges and (for many) a dizzying amount of political dynamics/stress/conflict in Washington and across the globe has increased stress, anxiety and uncertainty for leaders across the board.  New headlines emerge every day... sometimes every hour... that seem to promote stress and unpredictability in markets all over the world and certainly in businesses closer to home.  Its in this stress-filled context that I am suggesting that we as leaders NEED to think about and take actions that help to promote our own stability and well being... find ways to "nourish" our own spirits!

With this background set, it probably seems odd that I highlight a restaurant ( pictured here) in

Bakersfield California... my dear old 24th st. Cafe!  During my time at Bolthouse Farms... 2009-2015 and then again in 2019-2024, I spent a lot of time in Bakersfield California and became very fond of that rough and tumble town.  Very similar to the world I grew up in outside of Pittsburgh Pa., Bakersfield is a working class town, filled with a very diverse set of hard working folks, mainly working in the Ag & Oil industries, proud of their town and heritage regardless of what others may say.  During my second stint with Bolthouse Farms, after buying the company back from Campbell's, I commuted from Atlanta to Bakersfield almost every week and ultimately kept an apartment on the far west side of town.  The business challenges for all of us buying the company back, carving it out of Campbell's, and reversing massive revenue and profit declines were extreme... and that was without us knowing that Covid was lurking 9 months in our future.  The stress and challenges of leading Bolthouse Farms through Covid were certainly the hardest of my career, and probably my proudest professional accomplishments without question.... but my stress was sky high and my spirit NEEDED nourishing !

The 24th cafe was a favorite breakfast haunt before Covid, but after it re-opened it became a regular stop on my early drive to the plant.  Opening at 6am, many mornings I was one of the "early shift" at the restaurant, sitting down at the counter getting my coffee, ordering breakfast and catching up with Crystal and Donna... both who worked early every morning.  This routine was not just a way to "grab breakfast"... it became an important way for me to get set for the day of unknown challenges that would lie ahead... nourishing my spirit along with my body.  While I loved the food and miss it now that I have retired, I look back to those early mornings at the counter and am so appreciative that it was there for me... a quiet spot where I could be strengthened for the day ahead.  That memory... that reality is needed now for so many of us just like it was needed for me back in 2020-2023.

One reality for leaders across industries and organizations is that we are always so visible.  Our organizations watch and listen to us so closely... whether in live settings, and on "zoom calls."  I was floored recently when someone on a zoom call who I have worked with for years noted that I had moved a few books and a hat on the shelf behind my desk in my home office.  They had seen me on zoom for years and actually were somehow tracking what was in my background.  It was a good reminder that leaders are so visible in so many ways; sure the books and hat that I had moved were noted, but it reminded me that other less "physical" changes are also often seen by our teams.  A leader's stress, anxiety, shortness of temper, etc. are all easily seen and felt by an organization and while I will NEVER advocate being in-authentic as a leader... I am advocating that we need to take action to manage ourselves... manage our stress... and to nourish our spirit when we are "feeling the challenges" of the moment.  By nourishing our own spirit, we are inherently nourishing the spirit of the entire organization.

This idea also translates into personal relationships.  Recently we had some dear friends over for dinner, and after the meal we sat together and the conversation veered to today's political reality.  While I don't use this blog for personal political ends,  I am never shy to share where I stand on things and I joined in with the conversation where all four of us were beyond angry/frustrated/worried/discouraged with what is happening with the current administration in Washington.  After sharing frustrations and examples of the "latest abomination"... Global tariffs and an emerging trade war, Greenland nonsense, CDC defunding, Elon Musk antics in Wisconsin, destabilizing relations with historic allies, and the list kept growing... we took a breath ( or two!) and  talked about what we can and should be doing right now in opposition to this Washington chaos.  We talked about supporting legal groups taking action in the courts to slow/stop/reverse a number of the actions being led by the administration.  We discussed the importance of the mid-terms and special elections and the need to work/support key candidates in key toss-up races.  Finally, I suggested that we needed to "nourish our spirits" for the battles ahead.

 Yes it's a crazy time right now, but odds are that it will be even crazier in the weeks and months ahead and that we need to be ready and strengthened for the fight ahead.  Just coincidentally I had baked sourdough bread that morning and I cut our friends a big piece of the loaf to take home and suggested that it would make great toast in the morning...a way to"nourish your spirit to start you day."  While not quite exactly like sitting at the counter at the 24th st. Cafe, the idea is the same.  Find ways to protect and strengthen your spirit for the challenges ahead... whether in business, politics or broadly in life.... find your 24th st. Cafe, your sourdough toast or whatever is best for YOU as a way to strengthen and nourish your spirit.

postscript: here we are just a few days after posting this essay and all I have to say is "Wisconsin has spoken"... and the trade wars have begun.  Musk's efforts to "buy" the Wisconsin state supreme court election has failed completely and The President's unilateral "highly regrettable" (a quote from the Japanese Prime Minister) tariffs have been deployed causing a dramatic negative global market reaction.  It is a wild ride indeed and is clearly going to get wilder before it gets calmer.... and we need to be a strong, resolute and as clear-eyed as possible... I am working hard to "nourish my spirit" for the battles ahead and I hope you do the same!

  

Patience & Fortitude

 

As we guide into the “Ides of March” (worthy of a future essay for sure,) the landscape facing us as individuals, citizens, voters, family members, business leaders, etc. is daunting.  The two active wartime “nightmares” (Ukraine and Gaza) are seemingly endless, with no end (or end-game) in sight.  Our world is rife with military coups, revolts, civil wars, gang violence (this week notably in Haiti) and the vision toward “peace and goodwill for humanity” seems ephemeral and hard to see.  Our own political landscape is divided and divisive, and the upcoming presidential election is showing all signs to be a close, hotly contested, schismatic event.  In businesses all over the world, the challenges to lead organizations, drive innovation and create value in changing times is a growing burden to leaders regardless of industry or market.

It's in this “complicated” (putting it gently) landscape that I turn to the two Lions pictured here, framing the entrance of the N.Y. Public Library, whose names are “Patience” and “Fortitude.”

 

The NY public library website shares these facts on the lion’s history:

 

Patience and Fortitude, the world-renowned pair of marble lions that stand proudly before the majestic Beaux-Arts building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street in Manhattan, have captured the imagination and affection of New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world since they were placed on their pedestals days before the building was dedicated on May 23, 1911. 

During the Great Depression, New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia dubbed them “Patience” and “Fortitude”, after the qualities he felt New Yorkers needed to get through it. As the world has changed, our lions have been there to see it and be a witness to history—all while remaining a steadfast symbol for what the Library represents: a source of inspiration and strength for all.

 

The fact that Mayor La Guadia “dubbed” the lions the names “Patience” and ”Fortitude” hits close to home, as My mother Arline and my dear Aunt Lorraine ( pictured in my last essay) both grew up during the depression in Mayor La Guadia’s  New York City and both of them spoke VERY highly of him as adults when I was a child.  I think in their mind, if La Guadia thought that New Yorkers needed to focus on these two “qualities” to endure the depression, they would focus on them personally!

 

As I explore the landscape today, I find these two attributes/ qualities in short supply broadly,  and I am personally focused on bringing them into my life/headset/actions.  Let’s look at each attribute/quality a bit deeper:”

 

Patience: noun, the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. "you can find bargains if you have the patience to sift through the dross"

 

Fortitude: noun, courage in pain or adversity. "she endured her illness with great fortitude"

  

It’s vital to note that in each noun, the definition ASSUMES a problematic landscape.  The attributes of “delay, trouble, suffering, pain and adversity” are ASSUMED as part of the reality…. not to fantasized or wished away, but to be understood, fought with and overcome!  I for one find great insight in the details of these two definitions and will be focusing my energies on how to combine “patience” and “fortitude” as my personal qualities to handle the wide breadth of challenges facing all of us today!

Resilience… the key to “Steering into the skid”

 Over the past few months, I keep finding myself referencing and essay I posted years ago titled… “Steer into the skid.”  It’s now almost 8 years ago that I posted that essay (which I have copied below) and it seems more relevant today than ever.  It’s interesting to think back to 2015… we hadn’t experienced the global nightmare of the Covid Pandemic, we hadn’t watched the horrific events of the January 6^th, 2021, insurrection unfold at our Capital, no invasion of Ukraine as of yet (though the 2014 invasion of Crimea should have put us on notice) …. and the list goes on.  It seems incredible to think about the issues, crises, and challenges that we have experienced over the past 8 years and at times I wonder how we are finding our path through such times of turmoil.

 The premise of the original “Steer into the skid” essay is to overcome challenges/issues in your life or in business, you need to dive into them “headfirst!”  Denial, avoidance, displacement, and obfuscation are all tempting, but diving into the problems at hand “steering” into them is the only way “out of them.”  It’s in this vein that I have been “chewing on” the key attributes of individuals (and certainly leaders) who are navigating these challenging times successfully… and I keep coming to a common answer:

 

Resilience: noun, 

1)    The capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness

2)    The ability of a substance or an object to spring back into shape; elasticity

 

These two complementary ideas, toughness and elasticity …. i.e. “Resilience”… are key attributes in troubled situations.  As a leader of a wonderful company, I think about this from a few vectors.  First, what can I do to build up my own “toughness/elasticity?”  How do I keep a patient headset, and a clear-eyed view of the business dynamics at hand and how do I personally “bounce back” from any setbacks we face.  Second, how can I teach and help our team of younger leaders grow THEIR resilience now so they are ready to face challenges in the years ahead.

I also reflect on this idea as a parent of two great “kids” in their early 20’s.  Both faced covid in their college experience, our son in his senior year and our daughter in her first year.  For both of them it was beyond disruptive, but both are doing well, both graduated successfully, and both have been pretty “elastic” coming out of that nightmare.  I wonder how we as parents can help our children build strength, “toughness,” endurance and “elasticity” so they might weather the storms that will most certainly face them in their adult years ahead.

I am thinking about and working on “resilence” personally and hope you can find some inspiration in that work as well.  Read below the original essay from 2015…

 

 

 

 

“Steer into the skid”,  9/18/15

 

As a teen growing up in a small town in western Pennsylvania, “Drivers Ed” was a fact of life and taught during the summers at my High School.  Of my many memories of “summer drivers school,” none are as fresh and stark as some of those famous films created to scare the pants off of young drivers.  A few classics are up on “YouTube,” you should checkout “The Last Date” or “Highways of Agony,” …… Classics!!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzr7CHX_0b0

 

One of the challenges of taking “Drivers Ed” during the summer was trying to learn to drive safely in icy and snowy winter conditions.  One of the lessons from those summer driving classes was the teacher’s repeated message to “steer into the skid” if the car lost traction on an icy road.  It seemed so counter intuitive to actually steer into the direction where you were skidding, it felt like steering into the path of trouble!  While hard to understand, the first time I hit an icy patch as a young driver and did the opposite, steering away from the skid, I sent the car into a 360-degree spin and ended in the ditch.  No one was hurt, and the front fender of our 1970 Chevelle dented a bit, but a lesson was learned.  In future moments on icy streets when I started to skid, I remembered the lesson and gently “steered in to the skid” and in most moments avoided any issues/ditches!! 

 

As I was recently recounting this lesson with my new driving son (not many icy patches here in Atlanta but a good driving lesson anyway,) the story and memory got me thinking…. This idea of “steering into the skid” is not merely a lesson for a young driver; it is actually a powerful lesson for life!!  As we come upon the “icy patches” in our business worlds or personal lives, we need to be reminded to of this lesson and “steer” into not away from the challenges/obstacles/problems we are facing!

 

Business World:  In business we often focus on our moments of success, looking for ways to replicate them across broader markets/verticals/brands/products/teams.  We typically “steer away” from situations that are not going well, wanting to spend our energy (and our our team’s capacity/capabilities) on trying to replicate what’s working rather than deeply understanding the areas that are not going well.  We almost have a sense that if we just get better on the “good stuff”, the “bad stuff” will just “go away” or be lost in a haze of broader success.  Dangerous ideas and deeply untrue!

 

Rather than avoiding the weak spots of our business, we need to “steer into the skids” of our business.  What markets/verticals/brands/products/teams are doing the worst?  Which competitors are doing the best to take our market share?  Where are we most vulnerable in the next few months (operating plan horizon) and across a multi-year landscape (strategic plan horizon)? 

 

I am certainly not suggesting that we ignore the “good stuff ” in our businesses; we do need to replicate our successes all the time.  What I am specifically focusing on is to add intensity, clarity and focus on the weak spots if the business, proactively “steering into the skid” across the landscape of the business model as a method to avoid fatal professional “crashes.”

 

 

Personal Lives:  In our personal lives this same adage also rings true.  In a life that is hectic, time stretched, and often stressful, it is tempting to take any available “open time” to take a breath and relax.  While I certainly an advocate of this idea on many fronts, I have come to realize that the issues/concerns/problems or “skids” in our personal lives rarely “get better” on their own.  Think about a marriage, a friendship, and a parent-child relationship that has friction or concerns.  Letting them “simmer,” waiting to “deal with them” at some amorphous time in the future is never a good idea.  This idea applies to our physical lives as well.  If we are dealing with a chronic health issue, dive into the problem, don't put it off!  I have a dear friend who recently underwent emergency cardiac bypass surgery after failing a “run of the mill” stress test.  The good news is that he is recovering well.  The scary part is that he had postponed three previous stress test appointments and was on the verge of delaying the test appointment that he dramatically failed; that fourth delay could have resulted in his early death, rather than a successful operation and progressing recovery.  It took him a while but he ultimately did “steer into the skid” and he is back safely on the road of life.

 

Whether in your personal or professional lives, think about those old “Drivers Ed” movies and remind yourself to find more opportunities to “steer into the skid.”  There is no way to live a life absent of challenges/obstacles/problems or issues.  Don't spend anytime “wishing away” your problems; instead take a few extra moments (both personally and professionally) and dive into the problem areas, “steer into the skids,” and take action (don’t postpone your stress test appointment) in order to have a smoother and safer “ride” ahead!

 

 

"Put one foot in front of the other" ....

 

The last few months, and more specifically the last six week since Christmas week of 2022 have been some of the most challenging of my career.  Late in the summer of 2022 I took on an expanded responsibility at the company, moving into the role of President and C.O.O. in September.  At the same time business challenges, combined with inflationary headwinds and other industry wide dynamics made the operating pressures very present.  What made the past few weeks exceptionally challenging was the un-forecasted "bomb-cyclone" that brought almost a years worth of rain to our growing regions in just four weeks.  The rains started just after Christmas and didn't really stop til early last week.  I always knew that farming is hard ( now who said "Farming is easy??") and that lesson was driven home with distinction in January.  We harvest more than two million pounds of carrots EVERY DAY, and that dynamic was deeply challenged by the recent rain event.

I share these "woes" as just one of many California ag companies ( and ag employees) who have had a rough ride and are now quite literally digging our way out of the rainy mess.  Its been a tough run and I am  so proud of our team battling the elements to do what they could to plant and harvest our carrots between storms, flooded fields and roads, and cold and wet weather that just didn't stop!  Its been tough, but the team I have a pleasure to work with, shoulder to shoulder, is an inspiring crew that cares about the land, our carrots and our customers regardless of weather forecast.  Its a team of "doers"that inspire me every day and are huge energy driver for me every day. As you can see from the picture to the right, the recently harvested carrots look great, and we are getting back in the fields and the harvest conditions are improving every day!

I don't usually quote song lyrics in my essays, and have never before quoted lyrics from a old Christmas TV special ( "Santa Claus is Coming to Town",) but this jingle and these words kept going through my mind as we faced challenge after challenge these past few weeks:

Put one foot in front of the other

And soon you’ll be walking cross the floor

Put one foot in front of the other

And soon you’ll be walking out the door

You never will get where you’re going

If you never get up on your feet

Come on, there’s a good tail wind blowing

A fast walking man is hard to beat

Put one foot in front of the other

And soon you’ll be walking cross the floor

Put one foot in front of the other

And soon you’ll be walking out the door

If you want to change your direction

If your time of life is at hand

Well don’t be the rule be the exception

A good way to start is to stand

Put one foot in front of the other

And soon you’ll be walking cross the floor

Put one foot in front of the other

And soon you’ll be walking out the door

If I want to change the reflection

I see in the mirror each morn

You mean that it's just my election

To vote for a chance to be reborn

I know this song comes from a quirky holiday show released in 1970, but the actual words hit home.  I share all of this as a way to suggest that we all are facing challenges in our work and in our communities every day.  While they may not be "bomb-cyclone" driven, or caused by some sort of "atmospheric river," they are real and can feel overwhelming.   These issues and challenges in our lives call on us to respond and take action and as the song suggests, "a good way to start is to stand"!  Hang in there and remember...." you will never get where you are going if you never get on your feet."

A “Hymn” for us all…

 

 

Like so many others, the terror and tragedy of the recent mass shootings have brought me to my knees both figuratively and physically.  The horror of Buffalo, Uvalde, Tulsa and even yesterday’s shooting in a concrete plant in Maryland continues the nightmare AND truth that we live in a uniquely violent gun filled country.  The data and TRUTH of that last statement is undeniable and not a partisan view of fact/news vs “alt facts/news.”  The following table is from a recent United Nations study that clearly shows our unique and, in my opinion, “nightmarish” place in the world.      

 

An underlying truth that this table doesn’t highlight is that an incredible number of these “gun violence deaths per 100,000” are deaths of children.  The fact that our county is not only this violent but also this “unsafe” for our children is not acceptable and cannot be the legacy that we (our generation of American adults) leave to the generations to follow.

It is in this context, in a dark and discouraged moment last week, that I was inspired by the poet Amanda Gorman.  She was interviewed on NPR regarding her perspective and response to the recent gun violence and she described herself as “optimistic and stubborn” on this topic, which she collapsed into the single descriptor that she was “obstinate” regarding the current trends.  That adjective hit home for me…. I want to be MORE “obstinate” regarding gun violence…I want to be MORE “obstinate” about supporting advances in gun regulation and controls … I want to be MORE “obstinate” about ways to make our society safer for our kids as school, at home and in our communities…. And the list goes on!  She continued on to read her recent poem “Hymn for the Hurting” which I have added below, and it inspired me deeply.  The stanza towards the end hit home to me and her admonition that we all  “May we not just grieve, but give: May we not just ache , but act;”  is so profound…. in the midst of OUR nightmare of American Gun Violence, we all need to find ways to “give” and “act” for the sake of our children and our communities.  I hope you find her words as poignant and powerful as I have!

Hymn for the Hurting

by Amanda Gorman

Everything hurts,
Our hearts shadowed and strange,
Minds made muddied and mute.
We carry tragedy, terrifying and true.
And yet none of it is new;
We knew it as home,
As horror,
As heritage.
Even our children
Cannot be children,
Cannot be.

Everything hurts.
It’s a hard time to be alive,
And even harder to stay that way.
We’re burdened to live out these days,
While at the same time, blessed to outlive them.

This alarm is how we know
We must be altered —
That we must differ or die,
That we must triumph or try.
Thus while hate cannot be terminated,
It can be transformed
Into a love that lets us live.

May we not just grieve, but give:
May we not just ache, but act;
May our signed right to bear arms
Never blind our sight from shared harm;
May we choose our children over chaos.
May another innocent never be lost.

Amanda Gorman is a poet and the author of “The Hill We Climb,” “Call Us What We Carry” and “Change Sings.”

 

Don't fight your life..." The wisdom of Swint"

 This may sound like quite an unusual title, but recently I have faced some challenges that have brought this idea, and these themes into sharp focus.  As most of you know, I have had a business career that has spanned 35+ years and across those decades ( now that's hard to fathom!) I have often travelled fro my work.  In this most recent chapter, as President of Bolthouse Farms, I literally commute regularly ( often weekly) from Atlanta Ga. to Bakersfield Ca. for my work.... not a very typical commute to say the least!  In this reality, I often have to take various routes across multiple airlines as part of my travel itinerary and at times the challenges of modern travel rear their "ugly" head.

Over the past few weeks, I have been on a tough streak, with multiple delayed flights, mechanical/crew issues, and major traffic delays that have caused significant challenges and frustrations.  Just this past week, after an extended drive due to a major accident on the Grapevine ( the mountain pass where "The 5" connects LA to Bakersfield) I arrived to a hotel near LAX to crash for an early direct flight home to Atlanta the next morning.  Arriving nice and early, successfully advancing my position, I got to the gate to be met by a 3 hour delay that culminated in a cancelled flight due to mechanical issues.  It had been a long few weeks at work and this felt like a kind of a breaking point.  The tension in the gate area was high, my patience was short, and for some reason in the midst of the tension I remembered back to a work associate at Coke named "Swint."

I have no idea why Swint came to mind last Friday morning at LAX, but indeed he did!  We worked together at Coke in Baltimore back in the late 90's, and Swint and his family lived near Annapolis Maryland.  I remember that Swint owned a boat and invited a few of us for a weekend get together that included a boat cruise/ride.  It was a very pleasant trip, a beautiful spot and I remember asking Swint if he was a long time boat owner.  He shared that this was the first boat he had ever owned and he had bought it when Coke transferred him and his family to the area from Atlanta.  I must have had a curious look on my face when he said this because he went on to share that he always tried to adopt the interests of the area where he was living, and since he was living by the water, he bought a boat.  If he had been transferred to Denver, they would have taken up skiing, and if they had been sent to LA they probably would have tried their hand at surfing!  In those days people were transferred regularly by Coke to various offices across the country ( and world!) and this idea of overtly "not fighting that life" and going with the "local flow" seemed to make a lot of sense!

For some reason, "the wisdom of Swint" hit me at LAX on Friday morning at a tension filled gate 26B.  I immediately got on the phone with my trusted associate Cathy, and started coming up with a big "plan B." Instead of staying at the airport for hours in the stress filled mess, we rebooked a flight for yesterday (Saturday) morning, and I went back to the LAX parking deck to get my car and drive 2 hours to take my sweet daughter Marie to lunch ... pictured to the right!  We had a couple of hours together, and caught up on her life this spring at UCSB and just enjoyed our time together....truly a tonic!  I found my way back to Atlanta yesterday, and while I need to get re-energized for my flight west tomorrow (ugh) I am keeping Swint in my mind and will continue to look for ways to "not fight my life"... and maybe even find a few more "lucky surprise lunches" with sweet Marie!!

January 6: Redux

 

A year ago today our county, and the world, suffered an assault that is still reverberating today.  Senseless violence and aggression lead to an event that I for one hope we never forget and always learn from.  The closing paragraph of Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” is so appropriate for all of us to remember:

 

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

 

Our dedication to these historic words, Lincoln’s admonition that we remain “dedicated here to the unfinished work” is so powerful today.  It can’t be assumed that a “government of the people, by the people, for the people” is inevitable and self-sustaining; it requires all of us to WORK to make this country, our society, and the world broadly a place of justice and peace.  

 

Earlier today, President Jimmy Carter penned an Op-Ed in the N.Y. Times focused on this exact topic.  The closing paragraph of that article is also an important reminder and a call-to-action for all of us:

 

Our great nation now teeters on the brink of a widening abyss. Without immediate action, we are at genuine risk of civil conflict and losing our precious democracy. Americans must set aside differences and work together before it is too late.

 

Last year, early on the morning post the Capital Insurrection, I shared this essay on my blog; I share it again today as a reminder of our “unfinished work” ahead.

 

 

January 7, 2020:

Early this morning, I sent the following "note" to my team at Bolthouse Farms.  Its rare that I post these types of communications on this blog, but at a very challenging and troubled moment in our country's history, I wanted to share these thoughts....

Early this morning, I got up with a fresh cup of coffee and reflected on the horrific images from our Capitol in Washington D.C.  I am angered, horrified, and deeply saddened by the acts of mob violence and domestic terrorism… and in the quiet of the morning I am highly motivated to speak out against those actions (and those inciting those actions) as an American and as a Bolthouse Farms person.

 

Since our founding in 1915, generations of Bolthouse Farms people have always had to work hard to do their/our honest work.  Everyday across our history we have had to work hard to overcome challenges, to take care of our land, take care of our facilities, take care of our people and to grow our carrots; to make all of our products, and to serve our customers and communities. We work hard everyday at Bolthouse Farms to Grow, Make & Serve.  This central idea of “working hard to grow, make, & serve” has always been at the heart of this company, a 105 year “young” idea that is never more true and relevant than today.  We don’t stand for lies, bullying, violence, and destruction, and we never will.

 

As an American, I am reminded that we must come together and work hard for a more just and productive nation.  Our communities face so many challenges, but through coming together and working hard together we can (and must) accomplish great things.  Very early this morning, after the congress reconvened and finished their constitutional work to confirm the results of our recent election, the Senate Chaplain closed the proceedings with the following prayer.  I found it encouraging and inspiring, and I share it with that same spirit…

 

"Lord of our lives and sovereign of our beloved nation, we deplore the desecration of the United States Capitol building, the shedding of innocent blood, the loss of life, and the quagmire of dysfunction that threaten our democracy.
These tragedies have reminded us that words matter and that the power of life and death is in the tongue. We have been warned that eternal vigilance continues to be freedom's price.
Lord, you have helped us remember that we need to see in each other a common humanity that reflects your image.
You have strengthened our resolve to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies domestic as well as foreign.
Use us to bring healing and unity to our hurting and divided nation and world. Thank you for what you have blessed our lawmakers to accomplish in spite of threats to liberty.
Bless and keep us. Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to do your will and guide our feet on the path of peace. And God bless America. We pray in your sovereign name, amen."

  

Lessons from "Goat Knob"

 

Early in 2004, Jennie and I bought a wonderful little cabin in Highlands N.C.  Over the past 17+ years (hard to believe!!) we have enjoyed numerous gatherings with family and friends across all seasons and I have had the privilege to share the cabin with quite a number of work groups as part of leadership retreats that I have held there over the years.  The cabin, while only 2+ hours north of Atlanta, feels completely like a "world apart;"  with Highlands at over 4000 ft of elevation the climate, topography, flora and fauna  ( replete with black bears) is entirely different than our home in Georgia! 

In that part of North Carolina, the mountains are beautiful and filled with wonderful hiking trails, waterfalls, state parks, etc.  We have enjoyed hiking all across the region and I have taken many of my "work groups" on hikes on trails at Whiteside Mountain, a local favorite in Highlands.  Most of the hikes we do are classified as easy-moderate, and usually take just a few hours.... a nice morning or afternoon activity for all.  One hike is an exception to this rule.... for me the "big hike of the year" that pushes me and my physical capability to the edge.... the infamous Yellow Mountain hike!  With such an innocent name, this hike is quite a challenge.... 12 miles, with over 5000 ft of elevation change and no available water.... and it usually takes me six to seven hours to complete... a real all-day adventure! The specific section of the hike that I reference in this essays title has to do with the challenge of "Goat Knob."  A North Carolina hiking website comments about this:

            From the Shortoff summit, the trail descends and then climbs to Goat Knob at 4,955 feet, and then plunges nearly 900 feet into Yellow Mountain Gap. On the descent into the gap, the trail passes a major trail intersection, denoted by a sign indicating the return route to Cole Gap and the direction to head for Yellow Mountain.

The gap marks the approximate halfway point to the summit – and 1/4 of the total hike. The route veers to the left here, being mindful of the steep descent – as the return hike of this section is punishing.

That phrase... "as the return hike of this section is punishing" is the lesson of this story.  The first time I did this hike, I had no idea what was ahead us on the trail.... no idea of the elevation changes, the time required, the necessary water to bring, etc. Quite simply, I was ill-prepared!  While I was walking DOWN the 900 ft. from the peak of Goat Knob to the valley floor of Yellow Mountain Gap, it all seemed so easy... until I realized that we had been walking DOWNHILL for over 20 minutes and that the return route back to the car came back this same trail and we would be walking UPHILL to go over Goat Knob for who knows how long!  

That first Yellow Mountain hike was a mess, and yes we did make it back over Goat Knob ( after almost an hour for that section alone) but what a learning about challenges and preparedness.  I have been thinking back to Goat Knob a lot lately as I look ahead at the challenges of my business.  At our company, the business is thriving and accelerating but filled with incredible challenges exacerbated by Covid.  In our normal rhythm of work, this time of year... the holiday season, is always a challenge because the months of November, December and January ( good old N/D/J!) are the busiest and hardest for us every year.... it is our annual Goat Knob!  While no one from my team has taken the Yellow Mountain hike (YET!!) I have shared that we can't be surprised by the difficulty and challenges on the trail ahead in N/D/J.  A key to succeeding in the challenges that lie ahead is not being surprised by them .... it IS going to be hard..... there will be unexpected barriers ..... it WILL test our strength and capabilities..... don't be surprised,  anticipate the challenges, anticipate YOUR Goat Knob and harbor your strength for the key moments that lie ahead.

As you look forward in our organizations, work to help our team "see" that challenges and roadblocks are a normal part of business, just as Goat Knob is a normal ( and devilish) part of the Yellow Mountain hike, and help them take their time, garner their strength and overcome those challenges and find a path to successful though challenging outcomes.

Building “Grit” through the lens of …. 59/36/16+

No, the numerals in the title aren’t some sort of code or lock “combination.” Instead, those numbers are the very personal “lens” that I am thinking a lot about these days as I am working on building my own “grit” in the summer of 2021. As I am 59 years old, have had a 36 year business career, and have been in a key operating role, leading a wonderful company through the Covid pandemic for over 16 months, I have been working on building my own “grit” this year like no other time in my career. I want to reflect on that dynamic and share a few thoughts about my leadership journey in these troubled and challenging times so that maybe my experiences can be helpful to you. 

Grit: (noun) firmness of mind or spirit: unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger

 As I think about this concept, the definition above is very helpful. We are all living (and working/leading) in times filled with hardships and danger, really pushing all of us to have a “firmness of mind or spirit.” When I saw this definition, it really rang true. Across my career, I have faced various challenges, and tough moments but I have never seen anything like this … leading through Covid. Recently the country and our company have been challenged by the spike in covid cases driven by the Delta variant. While this essay is about resilience and courage, I will make this simple statement….. the science is clear…. the actions we ALL need to take is to get vaccinated and wear our masks! No questions and no debate of any kind! 

It’s in this context that I have been working on my own “grit” and have looked for ways to build by own “firmness of mind/spirit” in the face of these ever-present challenges. A few years ago, I wrote an essay about “grit” ( https://fylegacy.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-importance-of-grit.html ) that was inspired by the work of Angela Duckworth. (https://angeladuckworth.com) Her work was centered around the need for “grit” to be a priority for parents raising children in the 21st century. While profound and true in 2013 (her TED talk is well worth the time,) WOW do I see it as a huge topic for ALL of us today. You could think about the political strife in our country and around the world, the climate challenges facing the globe, the pervasive racial inequities, again in our country and around the world, then add on the Covid pandemic and the current delta spike and it all may seem like just too much to handle. It’s in this reality, through the lens of “59/36/16+,” that I have realized MY NEED to work on MY GRIT and strengthen MY “firmness of mind or spirit!” I don’t have any simple panacea of how to handle these challenging times, or a simple leadership model that will make it all easy! Instead, I have a few ideas/practices that are helping me and may be helpful to you: 

 Think about what you need 

I often write about the need as leaders to know your team, the competitive landscape, know the numbers, etc. Now I want to quote Plutarch…”Know Thyself.” What do you need to be strong? When do you need a break? What gives you energy or the opposite? And I could go on… get in-touch with YOU and pay attention to how you are doing. I see across business today so many leaders working themselves into the ground, not taking time for themselves (and their families) and to what end?? So they can be worn out, brittle and fragile as challenging moments arise?? That’s the wrong move, now more than ever!

  Work the problem 

As challenges arise (and we know they will, maybe even new variants beyond Delta) it gets overwhelming when we think about the macro context and ALL the challenges. Not being naïve, my suggestion continues to be “work the problem” ahead. As a planner, this is hard for me, always trying to anticipate the next few moves ahead, but now more than ever I have narrowed my focus and have centered myself on the challenges immediately ahead. 

 “Small bites”

 Those of you that have read my blog over the years know that I often quote “Aunt Lorraine’s Law,” 

( https://fylegacy.blogspot.com/2009/03/aunt-lorraines-law.html ) that is to “take small bites and chew thoroughly.” WOW do I find this relevant and helpful today! When I mentioned above to “work the problem,” I am now taking a few extra moments to divide and sub-divide the work plan into smaller portions, “chunks” that are clear and achievable to help propel the work forward and minimize the sense of being “overwhelmed” by the size or extent of an issue.

  Get more steps/get more sleep

 I give credit fully to my long time work partner and friend Cathy for this one. Improving your exercise and improving your sleep are not just good ideas in normal circumstances, they are vital today!! Just this week, after a VERY challenging day, I took some time after work to go to the driving range and hit balls for about an hour… just to get some physical time at the end of a tough day. Now it was 107 that day in Bakersfield and I plowed through my jug of water pretty quickly, but it felt great, and after an evening shower and a light dinner, I crashed early and actually had a nice night of sleep…. VERY needed sleep for me so I could be fresh the next morning to “re-face” those challenges from the day before. 

 “Use the big spoon” 

My final encouragement is for all to work on appreciation… to take a moment and use the “big spoon” to appreciate all we have…. whether it’s our family, friends, our pets, our health and just the fact that our lives are fragile and precious, and we are so lucky and fortunate to have the chance to face the challenges we are facing!

 I will close with these few thoughts and encourage all of you to think about your “grit” as we finish out the summer of 2021. Yes, it's been so tough and deeply challenging and those “hardships” may continue and (god forbid) may even grow in the weeks/months ahead. Regardless of that dynamic, we can all take steps to strengthen the “firmness of our mind/spirit,” and to build our “grit” and I hope the ideas that I have suggested above can be helpful in your journey!