Who Kidnapped Excellence? by Harry Paul

Author:Harry Paul
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Published: 2014-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Special Delivery: OWNERSHIP

If you see something that needs fixin’, own it, then make it right. —Harry Paul

It had now been some time since Excellence was kidnapped from Gorman-Scott Inc. Through Darnell, Dave kept up with the events unfolding as he made his rounds there. The kidnapping had motivated Dave to look at his own life both professionally and personally. On his way to a delivery, he thought about the areas he had been working on: passion, competency, flexibility, and communication. He truly desired to be the best in his own life. He had had a heart-to-heart with Mary, and she had forgiven him. But he knew that he had a lot of making up to do, and each day he must be on guard not to slip back into mediocrity. Philosophically, this was not a chore for him, for he truly loved Mary, but passion, competency in relationship building, flexibility, and communication did not always come naturally to him. So, day by day he had to keep a constant awareness of these areas, and he had to work at being his best.

Just then, Dave drove by a car rental shop. He chuckled as he thought about his family’s last vacation. Mary had suggested that they wash the rental car before they returned it. At the time, he had thought it was ludicrous. Now he realized that Mary had an ownership mentality in everything she did. Then, suddenly, it was as if all the lessons of his life came together. “Ownership!” he exclaimed. “It’s all about ownership.”

That night after dinner, he sat with Mary at the kitchen table and told her about his epiphany. Deep into the discussion, he said, “So if you own it, you are more likely to take care of it.”

“Quite true,” she replied, noting both the simplicity and the significance of the statement.

Enthusiastically, Dave stated, “So that will be my motto: Ownership. I will take ownership of my work, my relationships—my life.”

“I am behind you 100 percent,” Mary said, “but no one can control all of that.”

“Exactly!” Dave exclaimed. “So what I plan to do is spend my time focusing on what I can control.” Remembering an old proverb he had heard, he said, “I can’t direct the wind, but I can adjust my sails.”

“Sounds like a good philosophy!” Mary said.

“You’re right,” Dave replied. “I can decide to focus on the things I can control and not become a victim of or be bitter about the things I can’t. That is what being my best is about.”

“You’ve really thought a lot about becoming your best in your life lately,” she offered.

“I have,” Dave admitted. “I really have. Ever since Excellence was kidnapped from one of my clients, my eyes opened, and I have been able to reach out into the future and look back at what I want my life to have represented.” Barely holding back tears, he said, “And I know I want you by my side.” Mary patted him on the back. She could tell how important this was to him.

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