July 13, 2007

“Hi, my name is Bill and I’m at the twilight of a mediocre career.”

The long-anticipated merger had finally closed.  Folks on each side of the room looked at those on the other side.  Our first leadership meeting with the newly combined strengths of the two companies joined together by merger (or was it really an acquisition?) was officially underway.    

As you might expect in such a session, both sides were a bit tentative and not overly eager to share too much information.  Political boundaries were already forming from posturing that began early in the merger and acquisition process.  Key staff and line positions were at stake in what would become the new organization.  The company tag line hailed the merger as “1+1=3” from a market angle and “1+1=1.5” from a cost reduction perspective. 

Lack of desire to share data evaporated when the time for personal introductions arrived.  Beginning at one end of the conference room, and following the lead of the individual who went first, the introductions quickly became tiresome.  Desperate for recognition and approval by others in the room, certain individuals turned their intros into full-blown resume recitations, curriculum vitae reviews, brag sheet biographies, and work history rundowns. 

That is, until a man whom I’ll call Bill stood for his introduction.  With unnerving confidence and just the right dose of humility, Bill’s biography was brief:  “Hi, my name is Bill and I’m at the twilight of a mediocre career.”  With a brilliant twinkle in his eye, Bill sat down.  Lesson taught.  The tone of the remaining introductions changed dramatically.   

Those of us who came to know him quickly arrived at an understanding that Bill was anything but mediocre.  We all wished his career wasn’t at its gloaming.  His self-deprecating style was incredibly refreshing for such an accomplished professional.  He was a mentor in the truest sense of the word. 

Above all, Bill understood that position should not be used to distinguish yourself from others, but rather to devote yourself to them.  It was the defining strength of his impressive resume.