Weekly Thought – May 21, 2024

Fred carried a pocket tape recorder with him. He always had scraps of paper (envelopes were a favorite) for catching thoughts and quotes. Margie spent nearly twenty years transcribing. Her typing speed was dizzying! One of the binders held one-liners, poems, humorous lines, miscellaneous quotes, and one labeled “Stories.”

Committed to Service

I was speaking in Kingston, New York, and my host planned to meet me at LaGuardia, driving me to the town. It was a cold February day, with snow and ice on the road. When he arrived, he had a young man with him doing the driving. He was not part of the “executive training program,” so I engaged him in conversation to hear his story. He was a local delivery truck driver who worked for a local firm.

He had insisted on driving because he thought my host was “getting up in years” and wouldn’t be comfortable or confident to drive in the bad weather. Along the way he made a stop saying he thought two gentlemen of our age would appreciate a cup of coffee and a restroom. I think I had just turned forty!

After the meeting I discovered someone took my overcoat. The young man thought an older man with a bad memory had taken it by mistake, so he drove to his house, rescued my overcoat, and returned it to the hotel. As he left, he wrote down his home phone number telling me I could call anytime for any reason. Earlier in the evening he heard me mention I was experiencing gallstone pain, so he included the phone number for the local hospital. As he left for home that night he asked if he could join the group for breakfast the next morning. He said he just liked to listen to the conversation.

He joined us and a few minutes before we finished. he left the table. He returned with an envelope in his hand. He passed it to me saying, “It is Valentine’s Day and you’ll be traveling. I was afraid you might forget to get your wife a card.” It was one of those extremely frilly, over-the-top romantic valentines which I would hardly have picked out for Mary Alice, but I was extremely proud to give it to her and tell her the story.

This was a young man totally committed to service. The menial tasks were done with a noble spirit.

This week carefully think about: 1) How aware am I of those who are committed to service? 2) What helps me be alert of stories around me? 3) Who deserves recognition for an outstanding attitude?

Words of Wisdom: “The menial tasks were done with a noble spirit.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord.” (Romans 12:11 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – May 14, 2024

Fred believed that two men early in his career verified his gifts of discernment and intuition. One was Ray Stedman, pastor of Peninsula Bible Church, and the other was Baxter Ball, Vice President of Mobil Oil. Combined with his ability to analyze and evaluate, he made great contributions to leadership thought.

Effective Organizations

Highly effective executives develop effective organizations. Of course, there is great variety in corporate cultures, but in my experience, there are two types of leaders: one with a focus on things and the other who operates focusing on people. The “things” style is strong on technique. There is a great need to know all the details of the operations. This style tends toward micro-management. To be successful the organization must remain small enough so that ongoing supervision is possible.

Let’s think about “people-focused” leadership. I have three points for you to consider:

1) Be sure you have the right people. Someone told me, “One of the biggest sins of management is not firing enough people.” The foot-draggers, the free-loaders, and the obstructionists should be put out. Incidentally, if you are ever in trouble, these are the first one to turn against you. It takes a tough-minded leader to get and keep the right people. It takes real courage.

2) Reserve for yourself the things that only you can do and delegate the rest. What are the things in your business that only you can do? It will vary. Some of you are creative; others are administrative. However, in every business there are things which only the top executive can uniquely do. If you are the kind who says, “I am the only one around here who can do anything…” you, my friend, are my number one candidate for a heart attack!

3) Develop your people. A study by a large corporation found that 85% of truly helpful development came on the job, not in extra development programs. Most of the answers for leadership development comes right from the job, not expensive and time -consuming programs. Probably most of you were primarily developed by someone who was willing to delegate to you.

Theodore Roosevelt said: “The art of good management is the ability to pick good people and the humility to leave them alone.” What an excellent choice of words. Strong leaders build people who can operate wisely and well without constant supervision. The leader who “needs to be needed is professionally needy and has some serious executive flaws.

Pick good people, delegate well, and grow the them. You will enjoy the fruits of an effective organization.

This week think about: 1) How would I assess my leadership style? 2) Who has been instrumental in my own personal development? 3) What is my unique contribution to the organization?

Words of Wisdom: “It takes a tough-minded leader to get and keep the right people.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Teach me proper discernment and understanding. For I consider your commands to be reliable.” (Psalm 119:66 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – May 7, 2024

Fred spent much of his later years either in dialysis three times a week, or intense hospitalizations. His friends faithfully visited. After long stays one expressed his frustration in not knowing what to say when he was with Fred. “Bring him a problem,” was son Fred’s wise counsel. Sure enough, they started coming with decisions to be made, situations to discuss, and issues of concern. Three of the four “come to say goodbye to Fred” stays ended up with recovery and a return home.

Decisive Actions

Decisiveness is a quality of effective executives, but at the same time it is one of the rarest traits in most. Everyone likes to believe they are decisive – and are quick to declare it to others. However, most wait until they are forced into a decision or until the decision is made for them.

I have been accumulating clever ways people avoid decisions. And there is no dearth! You can see them every day. For example, there is the fellow who sits in a decision meeting, waits to see which way the wind is blowing, then makes a big deal about his decisive action. The worst offender is the executive who talks five minutes on both sides of the question, then emphatically announces, “That’s what I think.” Oh, no, there is one worse – he is the fellow who sits next to him, and says, “I agree with Joe.”
Actually, decisiveness is a matter of the will. I think I can illustrate it with a true story. I was on the West Coast consulting with Mobil for a few days. Being anxious to get home I caught the 11:30 American flight back to Chicago and on to Cincinnati. When I got to the check in a large crowd was waiting to load. Wanting to be graciously sociable, I got on first… to be helpful and get out of their way, of course. Eventually every seat on the plane was taken except one – the one next to me.

Just before the door closed a man at least 6’3” with big, broad shoulders and a flat stomach came running on the plane, sitting down next to me. He shouldn’t have done that. How unkind to make me uncomfortable all the way to Chicago as I sat there with my 225 pounds of solid blubber? I recognized him as Charlton Heston and began the conversation:

“Mr. Heston, you are in wonderful shape.” He said, “I have to be in my business.” I replied, “I wish I could be, too, but I have to work.” “Well,” he said, “I have to work, but I can stay in this kind of shape on 17 minutes a day.” He had no right to say that. That was totally unsociable. I have 17 minutes a day. He should have talked about half a day at the studio (which would totally count me out).

For 30 minutes I sat and stewed in my own fat, but whenever I am wrong I try to avoid admitting it through ingenuity.

“But Mr. Heston, I travel a lot.” He said, “So do I.” Then I asked, “What do you do about exercise when you travel?” He said, “It is simple. I go into the hotel room, take my luggage off the rack, sit down on it, and put me toes under the bed and do back bends.” It had been a LONG time since Fat Fred did that! However, again, when caught in the wrong, I don’t give up, so I countered, “What do you do about your shoulders?” “I roll under the bed and push the bed up in the air.”

Now, what is the difference between Heston and Smith? I saw the difference in a survey recently which indicated there was only one definable distinction between successful and unsuccessful people. The unsuccessful say, “I should – I ought to – I plan to – I’m going to” – but never do. The successful say, “I will.” They make the decision and take action. They do it.

This week carefully consider: 1) Where do I need to make a decision? 2) What excuses do I make? 3) How would my life change this week if I said “I will.”

Words of Wisdom: “Decisiveness is a matter of the will.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Bring a plan, make a decision.” (Isaiah 16:3(a) NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – August 16, 2022

Fred took his last breath at 9:15 on August 17, 2007. To some it may be a cliché, but in truth he “finished well.” He identified his giftedness, developed it, and used it to stretch others.

The Broader Way

A research study by the Menninger Clinic looking at common traits of mature men and women found that “they draw sustenance from many different sources.” They saw that those studied were not narrow people.

Service is one way of paying attention to broadening our lives. My friend lived “the high life.” He was an executive with a $300,000 income (in the ‘70s), a yacht, and jet. After embezzling six million dollars his life drastically changed. He traded his mansion for a federal prison. When he came out he had no friends, business, or family. He wandered the streets of his town, ending up in a half-way house. While speaking in his town a few weeks ago I saw a man across the auditorium. “Who is that man? He looks vaguely familiar.” I knew it couldn’t be my friend with that shining countenance, straight bearing, and purposeful expression. Nobody could change that much, I thought.

After the meeting I walked toward the man. We recognized each other and reached out to hug. “When are you going back to the big time?” My question seemed to be appropriate for this man of confidence and strength. “I’m not. Fred, I found my place working with ex-convicts and helping minority businesses become profitable.” He traded his life of selfishness for a life of service.

Recently, I talked to an over the road truck driver. He was excited about his life. He said, “I’m always looking around the next curve and over the next hill.” When I asked if he ever took his wife he responded, “Once.” “Why only once?” “All she likes to do is knit. We drove along passing beautiful views, and all she did was sit and knit, saying nothing, and seeing nothing. So I thought she might as well sit at home knitting. I could keep on driving, seeing and thoroughly enjoying everything I could. There is just so much mile after mile.”

He knew what it meant to broaden his life.

When we focus our attention, deepen and broaden it, we are simply becoming more alive – and well on the road to maturity.

This week think carefully about: 1) How open am I to new experiences? 2) When do I feel most alive? 3) What challenges and stretches me to grow toward maturity?

Words of Wisdom: “He traded his life of selfishness for a life of service.”

Wisdom from the Word: “I know your deeds: your love, faith, service, and steadfast endurance. In fact, your more recent deeds are greater than your earlier ones.” (Revelation 2:19 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – April 19, 2022

Fred accumulated thoughts on maturity which he planned to form into a book. Although the manuscript did not go into print, the collection exists and contains valuable thoughts on growing wise. This week’s message is a short commentary on a challenge to those seeking leadership.

The Price of Leadership

Aloneness is chosen; loneliness is imposed. It can be imposed by responsibility… for example, an executive who is highly functioning can never really be “one of the boys.” (Of course this applies to women executives, as well – and is actually even more difficult).
It can be imposed by circumstances caused by a move to a new location without any social contacts. Or it can be imposed by others who choose not to associate with you, making you feel like an outcast. I read in China this isolation was one of the punishments to insure conformity.

The loneliness of leadership must be accepted as part of the price. As a young man at GENESCO after given executive responsibilities, the CEO asked me, “Fred, how far do you want to go?” “Mr. Jarman, I want to go as far as I can.” He responded, “Then learn to live with loneliness.”

I used this example in a speech to an Ohio Presidents Organization meeting. Afterwards the President of a large architectural wanted to talk. “You have just explained my biggest management problem. I hate being lonely, so I talk too much to my people. I tell them everything so I won’t feel alone in all the decisions I make.”

This can be disastrous. Any changes he discusses with his firm will either be supported or stopped, depending on who has what to gain. In abdicating his leadership to create a comfortable environment he opened the door for poor decisions. He sacrificed the power to control his strategy. Talking over his potential decisions is valuable if and only if he chooses the right person and assesses his motivation. Leaders ultimately come to a crossroad and must make the final call… it isn’t a group activity.

This week think about: 1) How well do I handle loneliness? 2) What hinders my personal leadership development? 3) Who models healthy decision making for me?

Words of Wisdom: “Loneliness of leadership must be accepted as part of the price.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you— yes, I help you— yes, I uphold you with my victorious right hand!” (Isaiah 41: 10 Net Bible)

Weekly Thought – March 22, 2022

Fred was a truth seeker and truth teller before those phrases were in the current vernacular. He refused to dance around, play around, and definitely not goof around with what is right. Yet, he was not legalistic. He had great respect for the freedom attached to living in the truth. He also highly regarded those who chose to be life long learners, ever expanding their knowledge and wisdom.

Heart Qualities

Plato said if teachers do their job correctly, they awaken the latent teacher in each pupil. That enables each person to live as both teacher and student. My good friend, Jack Modesett, said his life changed his sophomore year in college when he found the joy of learning. He graduated magna cum laude and to this day experiences the magna cum laude life because he remains both the teacher and the student.

Let me give you two qualities of an educated heart:

1) A taste for a full life -Professor William James referred to it as “thickness” meaning life has dimension. It is more than surface; it is not shallow. Christ called it the abundant life. The Menninger Clinic studied maturity and observed one of the traits is a life that is a confluence of stimulation from varied sources. They are more than uni-dimensional. I see individuals whose function has taken over their person. This results in the sacrifice of true joy. To lose the excitement of being full-orbed is a tragedy.

2) The love of truth -We live in a fantasy world created by media, advertising, politics, even religious institutions. Their propaganda takes over eliminating truth. Father Hesburgh, when he became President of Notre Dame University was given counsel by Father Cavanaugh, his predecessor: a) Be right; b) Be human and c) be humble. David Rockefeller asked Father Hesburgh to join the board of Chase Manhattan Bank. He laughed and said, “I am a priest. I have never had a personal bank account and now you want me to be a board member?” Rockefeller replied, “If we don’t know how to run a bank we shouldn’t be here. What we need is somebody skilled in know what is morally right.” Later on, the President said, “At times when we got into moral discussions, the Board Chair would turn to me and ask me to determine what was right. I tried to eliminate the political right, profitably right, or popularly right, and tell them what was morally right.”

The love of truth goes beyond dogma and doctrine. It ultimately goes to that statement: “Truth is a person.” A Jewish philosopher pointed out to me that as a Christian I should fully understand that because Jesus said, “I am the truth.”

Love of truth enlarges my heart and expands my ability to exchange thoughts without rancor or ego.

This week think carefully about: 1) What three things would you say to your successor? 2) How do I measure my love of truth? 3) When do I experience the love of learning?

Words of Wisdom: “To lose the excitement of being full-orbed is a tragedy.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Give instruction to a wise person, and he will become wiser still; teach a righteous person and he will add to his learning.” (Proverbs 9:9 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – February 15, 2022

Fred, born in 1915, grew up in war time American history. His career flourished in the post war 1950s. His respect for the United States never waned. A childhood injury which left him disabled precluded his entry into the service, but he was extremely proud of his brothers who served. His observations are well worth comparing with today’s environment.

Gratitude for Freedom

I remember the remarkable remembrance of the Statue of Liberty’s 100th birthday. A friend challenged me to consider whether we are making an idol of the Statue. I certainly don’t think so, but we should keep it as a symbol, not an idol.

A symbol is an object used to represent an abstract idea, while an idol is the object of excessive devotion. The Statue as a symbol is all about freedom…the freedom of opportunity to express personal responsibility. I don’t hear anybody saying they came to America because they were irresponsible and want our great welfare system. Constant remarks about opportunity for the family highlighted the celebration. So many made who came made an investment of their sacrifice for their children.

The Statue symbolizes freedom without government oppression. I was impressed how grateful the immigrants were to become Americans. The thought occurred to me “Are we as committed and proud to be Christians?” Chief Justice Burger said, “As Americans we owe exclusive allegiance.” Christ said, “If you would be my disciple, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”

A friend once asked me an intriguing question: “If we knew that next July 4th would be the second coming of Christ, would our nation prepare like we did to relight a torch on a statue over 100 years old?”

As I watched that celebration it oiled my old rusty heart. I was reminded that freedom is really a means, not an end. It is an environment which permits the use of personal responsibility. I speak to annual Chambers of Commerce meetings and hear them talking about freedom producing our standard of life. It did not. The free enterprise system could be available to almost anyone but if they were not responsible it would fail. We are seeing this as totalitarian regimes fail worldwide but capitalism doesn’t naturally flourish. It was our Christian, born of Puritan faith, sense of responsibility resulting from the belief that one day we would stand before God and be judged. This was the engine that drove our system.

We are always grateful for the privilege of being an American, but always aware that it is our stewardship of God’s gifts that is the ultimate measure.

Political freedom is a blessing but spiritual freedom has eternal, everlasting significance.

This week carefully consider: 1) How do my thoughts about freedom line up with Fred’s? 2) Are there symbols in American life I have made into idols? 3) What ways do I express gratitude for God’s blessings?

Words of Wisdom: “I was reminded that freedom is really a means, not an end. It is an environment which permits the use of personal responsibility.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – January 4, 2022

Fred believed in heroes and their role in a successful personal network, as well as professional sphere. In his book, You and Your Network he devotes one chapter to the importance of them. This is a peek into his thinking on the subject. Happy 2022 to all. May you be stretched and blessed during this year.

Personification of Greatness

Defining the heroic quality is important in building a complete understanding of heroes. As I give examples remember they are illustrations, not recommendations. They draw a picture for me. I have chosen each for an outstanding trait which would ennoble my own life as I emulate a particular characteristic.

1) The apostle Paul: total dedication. He went through Oswald Chambers’ term “the white funeral in which he died to himself long before the “black funeral” which is physical death. He is one of the few men I feel I know just from studying him. He made up his mind and found his magnificent obsession, his lodestar, and the race that was his to run.

2) Gandhi: sacrificial unselfishness. He found a love for his people who deserved justice. The spark of greatness was ignited when he was thrown off an Indian train in a racial incident. It was a galvanizing event. He represents the desire to sacrifice and be subservient to something bigger than we are. He believed he could influence change. To me, he personifies the values needed to find answers, not just ask questions.

3) Abraham Lincoln: strength and gentleness. He did his duty as he saw it, even though it tore his heart in two as he did it. I don’t think he appears to possess a superior gift, but a superior spirit that matched his opportunity. He represented flexibility without changing course or values. He lacked personal happiness, but had abiding joy.

4) Albert Einstein: humility. Few people choose him because we rarely choose a hero who is so far above us that we cannot identify with them. Einstein is one of my heroes, not for his intellect, but for his humility. His was a natural state, not acquired or disciplined. Einstein seemed to be devoid of arrogance, self-centeredness, and conceit – for these ignoble trait had been replaced by a mental and spiritual temper which let him see his ignorance much more than his knowledge – and is gratitude far beyond his rights.

5) Leonardo DaVinci: principle-based thinking. His broad perspective didn’t drive him to mount campaigns to change life. He was relaxed to see it as it was. He understood the unifying themes of life: science, art, music, mathematics, or philosophy- they were all facets of life experience with man as the hub. Because he understood principles his mind could range indefinitely, creating sketchy ideas of such magnitude that it would take hundreds of years before they were usefully adapted. To me, he is an intellectual hero. His serenity is a personal reproach to our hurry, scurry, activist culture. He helps me remember I am a small dot in a very big picture – God’s eternal universe.

6) Abraham: vision and faith. He was willing to risk all on the unseen, transcendent God. He went out not knowing where he was going, but trusted the direction of God. He ventured into the unknown because the known was his reality. He obeyed and moved beyond the expected. Without vision we settle on too low a plateau. Without vision and faith we never experience more than the mundane.

7) Edison: persistence and perseverance. Edison is a practical hero. Each failure showed him something that didn’t work and didn’t disturb his intentional efforts to find one that did. There are times in our lives when we need someone to personify the will to survive, the refusal to give up.

8) Ben Hogan: consistency. He paid the price. While he is recognized for his tenacity and coming back after an accident and overcoming handicaps. He was willing to consistently study the golf swing until he could make it repeatable. He personified the secret of good golf.

This week carefully consider: 1) Who are my heroes? 2) What characteristics are important for personification? 3) How can I more carefully study the development of heroes?

Words of Wisdom: “Heroes personify characteristics needed for successful living.”

Wisdom from the Word: “His acts are characterized by faithfulness and justice; all his precepts are reliable.” (Psalm 111:7 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – December 28, 2021

Fred enjoyed distilling and clarifying. His ability to take a broad topic, squeeze out the essence, and then magnify its utility was one of his major strengths. He called it “putting handles on the pot.” He said ideas needed effective transportation just like a pot needs a handle to make it passable from one to another. Today’s thoughts on organizational vision exemplify this skill.

Moving the Vision

One of a leader’s functions is to gather followers around the vision, not himself/herself. This is where integrity comes into the equation. The leader who coagulates others is an embezzler. Using personal magnetism as a means of getting things done is, to me, manipulation.

Leaders must recognize several subtle dynamics:

1) Decisions are not commitments: The first is short-term; the other long-term. People can decide to work toward a specific emphasis; commitment’s aim is the ultimate purpose. Both are necessary. Those with only a long-term focus will often fail to accomplish much. Short-term is usually the trigger for activity. The leader’s job is to motivate movement using decision to accomplish commitment. Wise leaders know that when they get a decision (even a group decision) they haven’t necessarily gotten commitment. One of the downfalls of leadership is evoking an emotional decision which will fall apart.

2) Recognize the “driving wheels”: In any organization there are those who provide momentum and those who are just along for the ride. Effective leaders know establishing commitment from the driving wheels will ordinarily result in the others coming along. Correct identification is critical for stable, forward progress in any group or organization. The best way to motivate driving wheels is not emotion but comprehension. My good friend Jack Turpin says the only way for people to perform excellently over the long term is if they fully comprehend what they are doing. Leaders must be honest about the vision, the effort necessary, and reasons for expending it. Lasting motivation is persuasion through comprehension. The key to a driving wheel is asking, “Do you agree this is something worth doing? If so, let’s commit to it together.”

3) Know when it is time to change the vision: Strong leaders know the situation does not hold still forever. It is always important to measure the vision against the desired results. Perseverance is a positive attribute for a healthy leader, but the ability to sense the direction is crucial. Sir Winston Churchill is well known for his exhortation: “Never, never, never, never give up!” But it is just as important to know “When the horse is dead; dismount!”

Organizations require leaders who can define and articulate the vision. Just as important for the leader is the trait of reading the progress and direction of the vision, knowing when to reevaluate, and perhaps shift the emphasis.

This week think carefully about: 1) How do I set the vision as a leader? 2) What gives me clues about the time to change the vision? 3) Who can I use as a model for visionary leadership?

Words of Wisdom: “In any organization there are those who provide momentum and those who are just along for the ride.”

Wisdom from the Word: “He stores up effective counsel for the upright, and is like a shield for those who live with integrity.” (Proverbs 2:7 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – November 23, 2021

Fred considered short term training and long term development two separate functions. Quick fixes and organizational Band-Aids were seen in a less than favorable light. His ideas about evaluating the process helped many corporations. This week the message is an excerpted version of his counsel.

Evaluating the Training Process

I like to ask questions as I look at the training process of my clients. Here are a few examples:

1. Is this person’s job fitting well with his/her talents? a) is this a quick fix or part of a career plan? b) does this fit the natural wiring of the individual? c) how well has the personality and talent profile of the individual been determined? For example, is the person more comfortable with team or individual projects?

2. How much willingness to do the job am I seeing? I watch to see if the person is basically enthusiastic about opportunity. If I get any sense of “Well, I’ll do it if you want me to, but I’m not really keen on it” my expectations are seriously reduced. a) How interested in accomplishment is the individual? b) Is there a natural rhythm and quickness to learning?

3. How consistent are the efforts? a) Are they sporadic or long term, consistent, day-in, day-out efforts? Business, education, or ministry cannot be run by the stops and starts of the legendary hare; talented, directed tortoises will win the day. Rudyard Kipling gave me words which have become foundational: “When only the will says go.”
4. What are the objective results? a) How much activity produces results? b) What is their actual record of measurable results? c) How often does personality, amiability, and charisma get confused for productivity? Our daughter Brenda said in recruiting and training for the financial service industry they have a phrase: “they have aptitude, but no apt-to-do.” My mentor, Maxey Jarman always told me, “Fred, show me the baby, don’t tell me about the labor pains.”

5. Is this person willing to be evaluated? a) Do they understand evaluation is to better fit them to make a contribution to the organization? b) Is resistance the sign of a character flaw? c) Do they put themselves in the position of evaluating others while avoiding any personal assessment?

Training is not an academic exercise. It is not for the purpose of applying new theories and techniques. Its bottom line must be for the progress of the organization, done effectively and objectively.

This week think about: 1) How often is evaluation and assessment part of my job? 2) What questions do I think about in approaching evaluation? 3) Which part of assessment is the most helpful to me personally?

Words of Wisdom: “Show me the baby, don’t tell me about the labor pains.”

Wisdom from the Word: The LORD said to me, “I have made you like a metal assayer to test my people like ore. You are to observe them and evaluate how they behave.” (Jeremiah 6:27 NET Bible)