Taking Care of Business

Weekly Thought – February 26, 2019

Fred thought in visuals, and translated those visuals into words so others could capture the ideas. He often likened his process to the handle on a pot. The purpose of the handle was to enable someone to safely and easily manipulate the pan. He believed his ability to take complex thoughts and make them communicable was like putting a handle on them.

BWFLI is deepening the relationships with the colleges and universities with which we have partnered in the last 11 years. We will be doing this through personal input, written materials, and campus visits. Thank you for helping us in this crucial work. Please pray with us each month. Sign up for the prayer network and stand with us as we lift up our Christian institutions of higher learning.

Taking Care of Business

As I have said before, during the first weeks of each year I did in-depth evaluation of the prior year and planning for the new one. One area was focused on my business. I began this when I was a corporate executive looking at my management responsibilities. And then when I began Fred Smith Associates in 1955 I continued the practice, deepening the considerations year by year.

I started by reviewing the past year, bringing forward any items which remained on the accomplishment list. First, I looked at the organization’s personnel. I wish back then I would have had Jim Collins’s visual metaphor of the bus: putting the right ones in the right seats and the wrong ones off the bus. Without his picture, that is exactly what I did each year.

In organizations I was utilizing and maximizing strengths and buttressing weaknesses, trying to get extraordinary results from ordinary people. I always made sure I had a few extraordinary people in key leadership positions. My constant reminder was to make people decisions with my head, and not with my heart. Of course, there is a healthy interplay between the two. One thing I learned early on in owning my own business was to trust the counsel of a few talented, insightful individuals whose gifts were different from mine in making key personnel hires. I found Mary Alice had an innate, impeccable ability to read character. Therefore, any high level hires were always done with a candidate/spouse dinner with Mary Alice and me. She could read people!

Next, I wrote a vision statement to guide the organization. I reviewed, revised (when needed), and implemented the vision statement each year. In this process I evaluated our corporation’s position relative to our competition, considering new services or new products.

Of course, I looked at cash flow and profit potential. I took an overall look at capital requirements and budget items. The facilities and equipment requirements were reviewed with an eye to any needed additions. Technological changes are moving so rapidly it became a primary point of interest. I also reviewed legal, accounting, and benefit plans. I wanted to make sure we were meeting competitive standards.

Peter Drucker’s outstanding model of having efficiency at the bottom and effectiveness at the top was uppermost in the evaluation of my own performance. I had two major channels: public speaking (then writing) and business ownership. For years my personal measurement has been delegating everything from the “things that only I can do.” Some of these were looked at as annual items, other as long range corporate culture ones.

Then, I looked at the potential for flexibility in the organization because surprises come and I never want to be at their mercy.

This week think about: 1) I am two months into 2019, how am I doing with my plan? 2) What are the things that “only I can do?” 3) Who is a good model for organizational planning?

Words of Wisdom: “For years my personal measurement has been delegating everything from the ‘things that only I can do.’”

Wisdom from the Word: “The Lord’s decisions stand forever; his plans abide throughout the ages.” (Psalm 33:11 NET Bible)

That’s Music?

Brenda’s Blog – February 26, 2019

“That is just unnatural to sing like that. I would rather listen to someone screaming.”

My grandson and I were in the car together and I tuned the radio to a Southern Gospel station. At just that moment the group featured a bass singer with a remarkably low range, wrapping up with a sound close to a growl.

“Why would anyone sing like that?” I realized that this was a generational context situation. Even though I am not a particular fan of the “see how low you can go” technique, I probably don’t even notice it. Growing up there was a popular musical TV program which was sponsored by Dodge vehicles. At the end of each show there would be a bass singer capping the evening with the words “Dodge had a good time, too” in a downward scale. It assumed an iconic place in culture. It was a vocal limbo dance!

To hear his judgment that a resonant bass voice was unnatural made me stop and think. Screamers, rappers with startling speed, and eardrum-piercing voices do not qualify on any scale I can imagine as music. Yet, to him they had more aesthetic appeal.

What was going on? A change of sensibilities, without a doubt. A pleasing sound and an appreciation for the “pipes” which had the capacity to vibrate almost lower than the human ear can hear is part of my heritage. Part of my education included a definition of music, meaning harmonious melodies. The 20^th century altered those parameters, but my ears were permanently attuned to the textbook framework.

Now, my 20 year old grandson has no background which identifies music in the same way at all. It is all about the driving rhythms, the bombastic delivery, and the disturbing decibel levels. To him, this is music. Anything else is “unnatural.”

Intergenerational relationships require understanding and patience. What makes me hum along makes him break out in hives. What gets him bouncing in the passenger seat makes me want to pull my hair. But there is no right and wrong. Our tastes are partly generational, partly educational. The relational element is primary in any preferential issue. Time with him far outdistances the irritation of bone rattling vibrations.

As my Dad said, “we have to get older, but we don’t have to get old.” Keeping those intergenerational pathways open and clear is a growing experience – and a lot of fun which keeps me from being old.

Servant Leadership

Weekly Thought – February 19, 2019

Fred believed in evaluating current thinking in terms of Biblical principles. He always measured popular ideas, whether in the general culture or the church, specifically. He consistently measured ideas before espousing them.

Thank you for praying and financially supporting BWF. We want Fred’s wisdom to continue strengthening and stretching. Your tax-deductible gifts allow us to have a web, facebook, and campus presence. You are greatly appreciated.

Servant Leadership

When I went into business (over 60 years ago), I began reading the Harvard Review published by the Harvard Business School. I remember an article written by Mr. Robert T. Greenleaf of A.T.&T titled “Skyhooks.” It became one of their most highly read articles. He was one of the first mainstream authors to tackle a spiritual theme in business. In 1970 he introduced an idea he called “servant leadership.” Max DePree, Steven Covey, and Ken Blanchard all quickly adopted the concept and have greatly popularized not only the phrase, but the application.

I certainly believe it is a Biblical principle if we clearly understand the difference between the spirit and the function. Some leaders take it to mean they are expected and even “called” to do even the most menial jobs in their organizations. I know one executive who has taken it to mean he should stay and literally turn out the lights in his building at night. One believed he should operate as a literal servant of the employees to be true to servant leadership.

To me, this is a misunderstanding. I am convinced servant leadership is about the attitude of serving. The old paradigm of building a pyramid with the lowest paid employees on the bottom and the CEO at the pinnacle doesn’t exemplify my understanding. I like to think of turning the pyramid upside down. The CEO still bears more responsibility and receives higher compensation, but has the attitude of carrying the organization, not riding it.

The CEO in this new configuration sacrifices ego to the organization rather than deriving satisfaction from the organization. Christ washed the disciples’ feet once to illustrate his humility but I do not think he would have taken this up as His daily duty.

This week think about: 1) How am I thinking about servant leadership? 2) Who exemplifies the appropriate attitude of servanthood? 3) What excites me about learning to lead better?

Words of Wisdom: “The CEO in this new configuration sacrifices ego to the organization rather than deriving satisfaction from the organization.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I take great delight. I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.” (Matthew 12:18 NET Bible)

Ritual Versus Reality

Weekly Thought – February 12, 2019

Fred wrote and spoke often about the necessity of living in the present. He urged young ones to develop a work ethic, not a wish ethic. He consulted with numerous Christian ministries, pointing out the power of reality. And as he aged he regularly engaged his contemporaries in the need to jettison “used to” thinking.

As the research for the What’s Next book continues, please pray for fruitful interviews and clarity in developing the material. Also, as unpacked boxes of Fred’s material are uncovered, pray for an effective strategy for using the “new gems.”

Ritual Versus Reality

I recently had an interesting discussion of ritual versus reality. We acknowledged that the ritual was originally established to perpetuate the reality. However, we humans have a tendency to keep this ritual, letting the reality slip away. Theologically, this may be a subtle attempt on man’s part to take human control what initially was seen as divine.

When we do this we feel free to augment the ritual to please ourselves. This way we can make the ritual so elaborate it becomes what we would want it we were God. The outcome is often far from the sandals and seamless robe.

I have heard about (but never watched) TV shows that redo houses by tearing down walls, replacing simple design with upscale features. They take basic residences and bring them up to current tastes. Sometimes it seems like we want to do this with the fundamental rituals of the church which had a viable base. As I look at it, I see people who add color, sound, and video to make church more “relevant” and acceptable. We take the ordinary and overlay it with flash, thinking it will attract.

But I was taught a good lesson about other young ones who are serious about the reality. When I served as chair of the national Youth for Christ board why they were trying to dismantle the traditional church. This is what I saw happening with the changes in music and casual dress. To my surprise he replied, “Mr. Smith, we are not trying to destroy the traditions of the faith, but we are not willing to perpetuate them without the experience that created them.” Excellent answer.

How do we capture the initial reality? How do we avoid doing things by rote? Sometimes I hear people repeating the Lord’s Prayer in such a mindless state I wonder if they are even hearing themselves? Think of the disciples as they received the instructions from Christ? This was not a droning sound.

I submit we refill the ritual with the reality that gives it life.

This week think about: 1) Where have I substituted ritual for a vital reality? 2) What can I do to enliven my faith experience? 3) How can I connect with liturgy and form to bring the reality of Jesus into my life?

Words of Wisdom: “We acknowledged that the ritual was originally established to perpetuate the reality.”

Wisdom from the Word: “these are only the shadow of the things to come, but the reality is Christ!” (Colossians 2:17 NET Bible)

A Discouraging Word

Weekly Thought – February 12, 2019

“That’s the saddest sound I ever heard.”

Nestle Quik ran an ad campaign featuring the slurping of a straw in an empty glass of chocolate milk. The tag line was always, “That’s the saddest sound I ever heard.” A few weeks ago that came to mind as I was listening to people listening their lifetime regrets. Over and over they agonized over the “coulda, shoulda, wouldas” with clear agony.

Living life in the rear view mirror makes us vulnerable to crashes because we don’t see what is ahead.

I believe God weaves all the threads together in His sovereignty. Camping out on the jobs not taken, relationships undeveloped, and money misspent is unhealthy, leading to chronic unhappiness.

Certainly, we all make mistakes….we all do dumb things… we all long for do-overs. BUT, it is destructive to rehash, review, and rehearse those sad sounds. When Ross Perot ran for President he had a famous campaign phrase to connote the trade imbalance between the US and other countries: “a giant sucking sound.” Years later I still hear references made to Perot’s comment. Allowing the past to cripple the present is a giant sucking sound.

Maybe it is a good thing to think about that saddest sound, face it, evaluate it, and then go fill the glass back up with yummy chocolate milk.
The Broadway musical, The Fantastiks, reminded us “the heart without hurts is hollow.” We don’t seek out pain for that is sadism. But seeing it for what it is and properly integrating it into our lives is realism. No, we didn’t get a blue ribbon every time. And a lot of times we didn’t even get honorable mention, but hopefully we learned something. As Christians our goal should be to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Part of that enjoyment is seeing His hand in all the goods and bads, knowing He has a purpose.

2019 won’t be perfect. But it can be a time of proper perspective. Let’s stop sucking on that straw in the empty glass – it is counterproductive and irritates everyone around us. This is a year for hope!

Personal Development Planning

Weekly Thought – February 5, 2019

Fred assumed God gave him gifts, not just for his enjoyment, but for he good of others – and to His glory. The concept of stewarding his “uniqueness” remained uppermost throughout his life, even to the last days. (Note: when Fred used the words “I am convinced” friends and family paid attention because it was always the preamble for a Fred truth.)

BWF is undertaking a writing project using several of Fred’s principles for effective living: mentoring, networking, and persevering. Please pray for the ideas to form into a usable, helpful shape. Your prayerful support and your financial gifts enable us to continue bringing Fred’s lifework forward. Thank you.

Personal Development Planning

I am convinced I am responsible for my own personal development. Only I know who I want to become. Only I know my real strengths and weaknesses; my passion and my talent. Only I know the price I am willing to pay to become who I can be.

On January 1st each year I look at what personal progress I made the year before and then importantly, what possible progress I can make in the coming year. For effective analysis I divided my development program into four areas: 1) physical, 2) emotional, 3) mental, and 4) spiritual. I do audits of my business, and family, as well, but this particular analysis is for my personal development.

I then measure four elements: 1) association, 2) reading, 3) writing, and 4) travel.

Association: when I was young I was always told, “Birds of a feather flock together.” I wanted to associate with individuals who would be my mentors and role models. Early in my business career I chose six qualities I wanted to build into my life. I asked individuals who personified each to give me an autographed picture. I framed them, along with a print of Hoffman’s head of Christ, and a mirror. I hung them with Christ at the top and the mirror at the bottom, surrounded by the others. It was an informal way to measure my progress.

Reading: I do prescriptive reading. What do I mean? Just as everyone doesn’t have the same prescription of their glasses, not everyone is helped by reading the same subjects. I read no fiction. I concentrate on certain authors who can give me what I need. I read on philosophy, theology, mentoring, and psychology – subjects for which I have a natural affinity.

Writing: Until I began working with Maxey Jarman, chairman of GENESCO, I was totally verbal. Once as I reported on activity in one of the manufacturing plants, he said, “Fred, write it.” When I told him I couldn’t, he said, “The reason you can’t write it is that you don’t know it. Anything you know you can write.” He required writing as a way of developing the discipline in me. Later in life I adopted Bacon’s quote: “Writing makes an exact man.”

Travel: Travel expands my viewpoint. Growing up in the mill district of North Nashville my world was very limited. But, I knew there was more. I would sit in the attic of our house with a crystal radio set searching for broadcasts from the outside world. Dreams became realities and I experienced all those places.

My friend Charlie “Tremendous” Jones always says: “Except for the books you read and the people you meet, you will be the same person in five years as you are today.” So true!

This week think about: 1) How well am I growing in Fred’s categories? 2) What are my measures for personal development? 3) Who can help me be much stronger in five years?

Words of Wisdom: “I am convinced I am responsible for my own personal development.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.” (1 Timothy 4:15 NET Bible)