I was once asked as I prepared to depart a company by a colleague “Why are you putting that much effort into getting things in order when you’re leaving soon?” As most people know, I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve, so I answered them with a few points about character, context, and commitment. I also espoused the mantra, this was not just about me leaving but what I’m leaving behind. I went to a small Methodist-affiliated university that has produced a ton of interesting and game changing life figures that span the horizon: Tony Award winning director, ESPN sports journalist, Astronaut trainer, Civil Rights activist, Music Producer, Film and TV writer, CEO, CMO, Model, Singer, Songwriter, DJ, NFL Player, etc. Heck, my best friend from college is an 11x Sports Emmy Award winner for his efforts on “Inside The NBA” and for absolutely no reason at all had me yelling every Saturday morning “Saaaardines! Hey and Pork and Beans…”. One thing we all have in common is “Inveniam viam aut faciam” translated loosely is our school motto “I’ll find a way or make one” (Thanks, Clark Atlanta University), or you can attribute to Hannibal and a few others as well. I will come back to this in a moment. During my time at this company, I distinctly remember chatter about people coming from certain “prestigious” schools. When they failed or made mistakes and moved on, the remaining regime profusely used them as the scapegoat or as I affectionately called them the “Colt Seavers” aka The Fall Guy. Then I observed something rather troubling and yet interesting. Another young lady from a not so “prestigious” school had made similar mistakes but “The Fall Guy” was not only her but the school she attended. Comments swirled about her and the school’s incompetence. She didn’t leave the company for a couple years and went on to do amazing industry recognizable work. Her work also permeated other departments like HR where they started to actively look for more candidates like her. They were also inspired by her ability to see things from a much different perspective that proved to be invaluable during talent recruiting efforts. By the time she was finished there and decided to pursue other interests, the company was doing everything humanly possible to keep her. She gracefully declined and thanked them for the opportunity and is still doing great things today…as their competitor and winning!
Moral:
- In my Gavin Belson voice “Failure=Success”. Mistakes can be a strong foundation for future success if the learning is applied and amplified.
- Leave things in better shape than when you found them. Your residue will tend to live on through the people who are still there and implement what you’ve established. You’re also smoothing the road for the people who come behind you.
- Right or wrong prestige can give you pass, but can’t hold a candle to proven results.
This story is based on true events but modified to protect varying individuals and companies.
I was forever inspired and enjoy knowing that I’m not just working for me but aiming to lower barriers and remove obstacles for future graduates who are also “finding a way or making one”. I leave you with one of my favorite poems that has also been part of that inspiration…
Bridge Builder by W.A. Dromgoole
An old man going a lone highway, Came at the evening, cold and gray, To a chasm, vast, and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim; The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned, when safe on the other side, And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim, near, "You are wasting strength with building here; Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again will pass this way; You've crossed the chasm, deep and wide- Why build you this bridge at the evening tide?
The builder lifted his old gray head: "Good friend, in the path I have come," he said, "There followeth after me today,
A youth, whose feet must pass this way. This chasm, that has been naught to me, To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim; Good friend, I am building this bridge for him."
