Eight Lessons From the Front -- Part 2

This is a serialization of a commencement address I was honored to give to the graduating classes of University Center Cesar Ritz, in Brig, CH. These lessons came mainly from mistakes I made along the by-ways of my career: 1) Find work you love. 2) Choose the right people with whom to associate. 3) Don't manage; lead. 4) Be forward looking. 5) Think small. 6) Empathize. 7) Execute relentlessly. 8) Serve.

#2: Choose the right people with whom to associate .

Years ago, while debating the merits of centralized vs. de-centralized R&D with Bill Anklam, my first boss at GMI, he good-humoredly listened to the impassioned, newly-minted MBA and finally said “Fletch, it doesn’t matter. The most important decision in business isn’t your structure or even your strategy; it’s the people you choose to go into business with.” His words were prophetic and came back to haunt me several times as I made my people mistakes.

An early bad choice was the guy whose venture team I joined. Driven by his competitive ego and desire for personal glory rather than by the mission of the larger organization, he suspended sound judgment and ignored good advice. And to compound the error, I went along – arrogantly confident I could make things right from within. I committed this error of ignoring personnel danger signs three more times – twice in hospitality -- always by ignoring my gut instincts and accepting the wrong people to work for me. I had perfectly rational reasons to justify the compromises, but in these compromises were the seeds of troubles.

Who are good people? Those who love their work, who share sound values and are able to embrace with you a common mission.

Choose to be with good people. Choosing the wrong people with whom to associate , no matter how expedient it may be at the time, is to handicap yourself with two strikes as you come up to the plate.