12/30/2024
The Things We Think and Do Not Say – My Take on the Jerry Maguire Mission Statement, and Why Dicky Fox was Right
As the clock strikes midnight and you ring in the New Year, you may find yourself evaluating where you are in your career, and how you can be more successful.
And, as you sip a cocktail you might also find yourself wondering how you reached the top of a mountain that you never intended to climb, and question if you are doing the right work. (Most of us “end up” in sales)
While identifying your authentic being, you may face a period of groundlessness, and the need to trust in yourself will be more important than trusting in others.
Fictional character, Jerry Maguire had that epiphany and composed a 25-page mission statement “The Things We Think and Do Not Say: The Future of Our Business.” Based on sage advice from his mentor, Dicky Fox, Jerry proposed having fewer clients and making less money…focusing more on the people.
So, I started thinking about my truth, and Dicky was right. He said, “They key to this business is personal relationships.” In fact, the key to any success is about relationships and the legacy we leave.
And by legacy, I’m not talking about money or fame; I’m talking about impact, change and positivity. Did you, or I, toss one pebble that caused a ripple that will impact the world? Some of our biggest heroes did one small thing that resulted in big change. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus, Todd Beame fought back against 9/11 terrorists, and Malala Yousafzai spoke out about the need for girls to attend school. These are ordinary people that forever changed the world.
The most interesting thing about Rosa, Todd, and Malala, is that they weren’t aware that their one small moment would have lasting impact. They didn’t wake up that morning thinking they were going to change the world. They did one small thing to start a ripple. One.
The funny thing about all of this is that we don’t know the impact we make on others day-to-day, we don’t see the ripple start, and maybe we’ll never see that ripple in our lifetime. But we have to trust that it exists.
Blindness to end results may dissuade others, but not you or I. We are warriors of change, and it’s not about us, or being recognized, it’s about being true to who we really are and what we believe. And the most fantastic part of all of this (and maybe wild thinking to others) is that we can do this in our day-to-day work.
This is what I believe. I believe in equality for race, gender, and sexual orientation. I believe in inclusiveness. I believe in encouraging our girls to be strong, capable compassionate women, who influence change in politics, boardrooms and wherever they want to be. I believe in paying it forward, because sometimes people really want and need a hand up. I believe children should feel safe and be fed and educated. I believe that there is endless possibility in the world, and I can sometimes see that possibility where others can’t, or are too boxed-in to want to see. I believe in helping business grow, supporting new ideas and technology, and the old-fashioned American dream.
This is what I can contribute. I can coach, I can lead. I can sell what I believe in and I can get others to be visionaries. For those that can’t quite see the vision yet, I can get them to trust me and commit to the journey. I can speak in front of groups. I love a good challenge, and am a pretty good problem solver.
So, in the words of Jerry Maguire “Who’s coming with me?”
What do you believe, and what are you willing to contribute?
Let’s work together. Maybe I should be on your team, or you should be on mine, or maybe we just need to grab a coffee, and talk about how everyday life and work can be positive and impactful.
I’ll leave you with these thoughts from Dicky Fox. “Hey... I don't have all the answers. In life, to be honest, I have failed as much as I have succeeded. But I love my wife (husband). I love my life. And I wish you my kind of success.”
Cheers to new beginnings in 2025!
