He’s less of a man

Posted on June 9, 2011 by David

He asked to run with me

This was at the end of the Make-a-Wish 5K in Marietta, Georgia, October 2010.

If you’re a regular reader of “It’s All About The Customer” you’ll probably notice the guy on the right.

Unless you’re a personal friend, you probably won’t know the guy on the left running with me. As a direct result of some choices he has made, he is less of a man than what he was just a couple of years ago.

After losing his mom and analyzing his own health, he did something about it. He started walking. He made it to the mailbox. His mailbox. That was about it. But he kept going and soon, he was jogging to the mailbox. Then he started counting mailboxes.

Soon, he started counting miles. Then he started counting pounds. And they added up. It didn’t happen overnight. But through staying focused, he’s now lost a person. If I’m not mistaken, he has lost over 130lbs.

When I was training for my first 5K last October, he asked me if I wanted him to run with me. Um . . . YES! I couldn’t say it fast enough.

This past weekend, he competed in his first sprint triathlon. And he finished! It’s a mini version of a full triathlon, like the Ironman. But who cares? He can now add the title “triathlete” to his resume.

Even though he is less of a man than he used to be, he is more of an inspiration to me. Now he’s probably going to be around for more years to be an inspiration to others.

Way to go, Jim. Proud of you, brother!

Posted in Challenge, Change, Choices, Determined, Encouragement, Focused, Hard Work, Inspiration, Motivation, Purpose | 6 Comments

Happy Birthday, Mr. Inspiration

Posted on June 8, 2011 by David
Jeff and me

Jeff and me

“It’s All About The Customer” is only 19 months old. This whole journey started many years ago. But the most recent leg of that journey has been greatly influenced by a man with a vision.

But he’s not just any man. I am fortunate to call him a friend.

As far as we know, he’s the Internet’s only five-a-day blogger, whispering to the world, “Live, before you die.” What started out as a 100-day challenge on April Fool’s Day 2009, has turned into over 4000 blog posts. It’s a great example of what dedication to a single purpose (finding a cure to a terrible disease) can do.

He doesn’t ask for money. He asks you to set your goals high. He asks you to do something great. He suggests that you might rethink, reprioritize and recommit to your goals. He asks that you live a life full of service to others. He focuses daily on achieving excellence.

If you take a look at the categories below, you’ll see things like difference, infectious, leadership, passion, organization. and remarkable. These are are words that have been used to describe his vision for himself and for all of us who write blogs, who read blogs or who basically live and breathe.

Personally, I am indebted to him for his unselfish guidance and encouragement. For this, he would never take a dime.

So, here’s to you, jeff. Today, you are the man.

Oh. I almost forgot. Happy Birthday too.

Posted in 5-a-day-blogger, Cast Member, Difference, Disney Institute, Disney's Approach to Leadership Excellence, Excellence, Fortune 100, Impactful, Infectious, Insane, Inspiration, Jeff Noel, Leadership, Milestones, Organization, Passion, Principles, Professional, Purpose, Relationship, Remarkable, Service, Sincerity, Thank you, Walt Disney World | 5 Comments

Inspiration – A day late

Posted on June 7, 2011 by David
The Greatest Generation

The Greatest Generation

Yesterday was June 6. D-Day. It was the 67th anniversary of the Allied Invasion of Normandy. An action which brought a much quicker end to the fighting in Europe during World War II.

To know someone from this generation is a great blessing. Tom Brokaw coined the term “The Greatest Generation” in a book by the same title. They grew up during the Great Depression and watched as the world tumbled into a time dominated by beacons of evil across the globe. Countries were disappearing, Genocide was rampant in parts of Europe.

But they did what had to be done. And with such a quiet resolve that they humbly served their country and the world by eliminating these regimes, keeping parts of the world free from tyranny. The countries that were built following the war endured some of the greatest growth and prosperity thanks to their efforts.

The plan to invade on that day wasn’t without risk. The weather wasn’t perfect but it was sufficient. The coordination of many nations and many troops speaking different languages was a monumental task involving over 300,000 troops and naval support personnel on 5,000 ships including over 24,000 airborn paratroopers landing with only the light of a full moon to guide them.

I say they had more than moonlight. They had leadership. They had courage. They had a purpose greater than themselves. They had a world to free. And for that, I am thankful and inspired.

Thank a veteran today for their sacrifice. Yeah, it’s the day after. that’s why it’s important to do it today. You’ll surprise them and their spirit will be lifted. It will affirm what they did was for the right reasons.

Posted in Anniversary, Appreciate, Freedom, Future, Grateful, Inspiration, Preparedness | 2 Comments

Inspirational Leadership

Posted on June 6, 2011 by David
Lessons in Leadership

Lessons in Leadership

Following an epic family vacation to Walt Disney World, I wanted to learn all I could about the level of world class service offered at Disney.

My search led me to a book “Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies From a Life at Disney.” This is where I learned about Lee Cockerell.

From an Oklahoma farm to the CEO of an entertainment and service empire employing more than 40,000 people, Lee has been there and done that when it comes to developing a way of leadership that works. His book includes chapters on Developing Character, Create Break the Mold and Learn the Truth.

He’s not some unapproachable guru that sits in an ivory tower. His name is Lee and you can feel free to call him that. Together with Judson Green, former president of Disney’s Theme Parks and Resorts division, they both realized that “if you want your employees to deliver excellent service, you’d better provide them with excellent leadership.” This has grown into a philosophy where leadership comes first, not the customer.

He was instrumental in changing the leadership philosophy of “my way or the highway” with “What do you think?” Plus, he doesn’t believe that leadership is an “innate gift” but rather, it is a responsibility.

“Being a leader means doing what has to be done, when it has to be done, in the way it should be done, whether you like it or not, and whether they like it or not.”

Thank you, Lee, for helping us see the leader in all of us.

Posted in Disney Institute, Leadership, Lee Cockerell | 4 Comments

Your momma raised you right

Posted on June 5, 2011 by David
She did right

She did right

It’s not the best picture. Trying to pay tribute to my mom.

She was paid a compliment the other day by a total stranger 150 miles away. I was in a shopping center and noticed a woman struggling with a painting or some kind of art work. She was headed to a home decor store and there was no way she was going to make it in the store without some trouble.

So I ran, literally, and opened the door for her. She beamed as her job just got a lot easier. She yells back as the door is closing, “Your momma raised you right!” I told her I would call my mom and tell her about the compliment.

My mom has been a source of inspiration for many years. My dad passed away in 1977 and even though we had the support of family in town, the burden fell squarely on her shoulders to provide for and raise me and my sister.

It wasn’t easy for her. Or for us. But we’ve turned out okay.

Whether you realize it or not, you bring pieces of the way you were raised into the way you run your business, deal with clients or call on your customers. Even the way you interact with your co-workers can probably be traced back to lessons learned as a kid.

Mom, you did good. Others are saying it, not just me.

Posted in Inspiration, Learning, Mom | 4 Comments