Vibrant Visionary or Blatant Blah

I never predict.  I just look out the window and see what is visible—but not yet seen.”

Peter Drucker

I’ve Been Thinking. . . about what I see when I look out the window and into the future.

Rate yourself on a scale from 1 to 10.  One if you are a Blatant Blah up to a ten if you are a Vibrant Visionary. 

Blatant Blah is satisfied with the present, hates the idea of change and believes the status quo is a trophy to be attained.  A number ten Vibrant Visionary is just the opposite.

In my opinion, Roberto Goizueta was a '10'. . .  a Vibrant Visionary.

The name Roberto Goizueta is well known at the Coca-Cola Company and throughout the business world.  Goizueta was the chairman and chief executive of the Coca-Cola Company for nearly two decades.

In a speech he reportedly gave to the Executive's Club of Chicago a few months before he died, Goizueta made this bold, visioning statement:  "A billion minutes ago, human life appeared on Earth.  A billion minutes ago, Christianity emerged.  A billion seconds ago, the Beatles performed on 'The Ed Sullivan Show.'  A billion Coca-Colas ago. . . was yesterday morning.  And the question we are asking ourselves now is, 'What must we do to make a billion Coca-Colas ago this morning?'"

That is a question of a Vibrant Visionary!

Mr. Goizueta was undoubtedly committed to making Coca-Cola the undisputed best company in the world.  When he took over Coca-Cola in 1981, the company's value was $4 billion.  Under his leadership, the company experienced a 3500 per cent increase in value to $150 billion. 

Goizueta's success stretched far beyond the dollars.  His commitment to people motivated him to nurture, coach and mentor others to assume increased levels of leadership.  As Robert W. Woodruff, the namesake of Coca-Cola, took Goizueta under his mentorship, Goizueta continued the people building culture.

Visionary leaders know it takes people to achieve those lofty visions.

Goizueta believed that:  "At end of every day of every year, two things must remain unshakable; our constancy of purpose and our continuous discontent with the present."

Discontent with the present. . .  An inherent characteristic of every Vibrant Visionary. 

Blatant Blah is ordinary, stagnant, boring and forgettable.

Vibrant Visionaries are a bit weird, with crazy ideas, unquenchable passion and a unique sense of 'what could be.'  Goizueta's results speak for themselves. . .

Vibrant Visionaries separate themselves from group think.  They make us think.  They think anything is possible -- like a cell phone, Facebook, cruise control, cure for cancer or a host of other ‘unthinkables.’

How do you go from Blatant Blah to Vibrant Visionary?  First, we need to understand some of the differences.  Here are a few comparisons. .  .

1.  Vibrant Visionaries see the world as a blank slate where they have been placed to produce a masterpiece.  Blatant Blahs see the conditions of the world dictating the make-up and quality of their masterpiece.

2.  Vibrant Visionaries consider the impossible possible.  Blatant Blahs are convinced the seemingly possible is really impossible.

3.  Vibrant Visionaries are always looking for the next calculated risk.  Blatant Blahs calculate the risk and avoid anything with less than a 92% chance of success.

4.  Vibrant Visionaries stick out.  Blatant Blahs fit in.

5.  Vibrant Visionaries continually evaluate HOW they think.  Blatant Blahs just think they think.

6.  Vibrant Visionaries make sense out of weird.  Blatant Blahs think anything is weird that doesn't make sense.

7.  Vibrant Visionaries are always searching for the next peak to conquer.  Blatant Blahs are desperate to find a plateau where they can rest.

8.  Vibrant Visionaries are contrarians.  Blatant Blahs hate contrarians. 

9.  Vibrant Visionaries relish the privilege to challenge 'what is.'  Blatant Blahs enjoy the security of 'what is.'

10.  Vibrant Visionaries welcome the potential misery of uncertainty.  Blatant Blahs prefer the certainty of misery to the misery of uncertainty.

It's evident, the world of Vibrant Visionaries and Blatant Blahs are worlds apart.  We all exist somewhere on that continuum.  I guess the question is whether the remainder of our lives will be a blah repeat of the past or forgetting the past to create a fresh vibrant future.

“As a visionary leader, you’ll find beauty where others do not.  You’ll seek opportunity where others find only problems, and you’ll see answers where others haven’t recognized the questions.”

Sheila Murray Bethel

                             

The Power of Character

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

John Wooden

I’ve Been Thinking . . . about image.  What is the difference between who people think you are and who you really are?  What is your reputation?  Is it an accurate reflection of the real you?

In 2009 Tiger Wood's career, as well as personal and public image was decimated.  Running his SUV into a fire hydrant Thanksgiving weekend was only the beginning of the crashes he would experience.  His infidelities became public and a critical eye watched his every move.  A massive scandal ended his marriage and stripped Tiger of the respect he had earned from his fans.

Twenty nine months after being dethroned as the #1 player in the world, Tiger Woods returned to the helm.  But, the baggage he carried in the public's eye hasn't returned him to a #1 rating in the public's heart.

A recent Forbes poll rated him third on the list of the nation's most disliked athletes, right behind Lance Armstrong and Manti Te'o. 

Consumer Polling from the Dallas-based Marketing Arm research firm suggests Woods still has an issue with his public image.  In polling taken March 21, 2013 the firm found consumers see his truthfulness ranked No. 2735 among about 3000 celebs the firm follows -- about the same trust the public has in Mike Tyson, Kim Kardashian and Ozzy Osborne.b

Adding fuel to fire, Tiger now appears in a NIKE ad that indicates "winning takes care of everything." 

Maybe not.

Tiger has a ways to go to earn back the trust and respect of grandmas, fans and the non-golfing general public.

Nathaniel Hawthorne declared, “No man can for any considerable time, wear one face to himself and another to the multitude without finally getting bewildered as to which is the true one.”

Countless hours, incredible energy, and focused attention are given to developing our public image or reputation.  Certainly a good reputation is a worthy pursuit.  It is important, however to understand that your character will ultimately determine the reputation you attain. 

Character tells people how you are put together.  It is a simultaneous display of beliefs and actions.  Character allows you to be authentic, while developing the reputation you attain.  Above all, character allows you to be you.  There is no need for facades, putting on an act, or fearing your true self will be found out.  People with character can be transparent.  When character is a reflection of your inner values, the outcome will be a respectable reputation.

Character is all about the little things in our lives.  It is developed in the moments when we don’t have time to think, but act according to our beliefs.  It is revealed in how we respond to people no matter what their status. 

Character is who you are when no one is looking.  A solid character remains consistent no matter where you are, who you are with, and in whatever situations you encounter.  Who surfaces in these scenarios is the genuine, actual you.

I’m amazed at how many people seemingly don’t understand that their character is on display in everything they do.  If they did, I’m convinced they would build people up rather than tear them down.  They wouldn’t morally fluctuate based on circumstances or who they are with.  There would be far less effort expended to impress others.  Fulfilling promises would be the highest priority.

Character remains firmly grounded in the best of times and the worst.  Character driven people take full responsibility for their lives.  They are willing to say “I’m sorry” and readily admit when they are wrong.  Ego is set aside.  A serving attitude is firmly in place. 

Our public image is what people think we are.  Character is what we really are.  Pay attention to the authentic you.

“Character is the sum total of all our everyday choices.”

Margaret Jensen