I hadn’t intended to use this but I just sent it out in my newsletter and many people have written to tell me how much they liked it. So, if you get The Blaze, this is old news but if you dont (you should sign up for it) and here you are.

Every year that FireStarter has been in business, I have sent a Fourth of July postcard. I wanted to do that this year also but, at this time in our history, I think we need a little something more. In place of the postcard, I offer you this special edition of The Blaze.

I’ve traveled around the world, to nearly thirty other countries. I have met wonderful people, eaten delectable food, seen extraordinary sights… and am grateful for these experiences. Yet, I still choose to call America my home, and I proudly say it is the greatest nation on the face of the earth. I freely admit that we are far from perfect and we make mistakes. However, I choose not to let those imperfections and errors cloud my judgment when comparing the United States to any other nation. We were founded on ideals so lofty that their attainment is difficult. But, all too often, people are quick to point out the flaws and failings rather than cite the benefits and beauty of being an American. This has nothing to do with political ideology, and everything to do with gratitude for what we have and the willingness to look
adversity in the eye, to stare it down and defeat it.

Quite frankly, I too am tired of $4/gallon gasoline, over-priced food, the war, and completely arbitrary security procedures at the airports. I wish they would all go away. Yet, I welcome all of those things–and more– because I know what is going on in other parts of the world. Sure, we face economic uncertainty, and jobs are being lost. For a family of four in the United States in 2008, the poverty level is $21,200/year. But, the rest of the world measures it a bit differently. Simplified but accurate, the World Bank defines the International Poverty Line as U.S. $1/day or $2/day. The $1/day level is generally applied to the least developed countries, primarily African; the $2/day level is used for middle income economies such as those of East Asia and Latin America. So, the poverty level in Africa is $365 and in parts of Latin America, $730. Per year.

Some readers will dispute the comparison and challenge me to live on $21,000/year. That is precisely my point. Rather than talk about how hard life is, we need to find ways to capitalize on the abundance we do have and encourage our employees to create more for themselves. This is a leadership responsibility, and as the Rumor Mill suggests, you must take action or risk losing employees.

The news media would have you believe we are in a recession. They even talk about the impact the “current recession” is having on our economy. Here is the problem: most economists have said we are not yet in one. We may be close, we may enter a mild one, but the sky is not falling and you are not doomed…unless you choose to be. I watch the behavior of my clients. Some are running for cover, cutting costs and cutting staff. Others are continuing to invest in developing their people and capital equipment. They may not be investing at the same rate as in years past, but they have not turned off the flow of money. And I have many smart clients who are going full-speed-ahead prudently. They view this as the perfect time to invest for the future so that, when the economy does turn (as we know it will), they will be well-positioned to move quickly. The firms that have been cutting costs and people will not be able to respond and they will fall behind.

At FireStarter, we’re investing in the future. We are updating computer systems and standardizing processes. Our team is focused on delivering a superior client experience in all areas of the business, through keynotes, training, coaching leaders, and strategic planning. We are focused on that today and will continue to be in the future. At our upcoming annual meeting we will be talking about these issues. We know the challenges our clients face, and we know how to find solutions. We enjoy what we do and, more important, we enjoy the freedom to do it.

In 1986, I was on a bus in South Korea. My Marine Staff Sergeant and I were traveling in our cammies. A young officer in the South Korean army began chatting with us, and we had a fine time. Toward the end of the hour-long bus ride he grew quiet and serious. He looked around to make sure no one was listening, and then whispered, “I envy you.” I asked him why and he replied, “You have freedom.” I said that he had freedom, too–that he was an ally, he was in South Korea, a free country, etc. He shook his head no and, with a tear sliding down his cheek, he clamped his hands on my shoulders, looked me in the eye, and said, “No, you have real freedom!”

Moments later, the bus ride ended and I never saw him in person again. But I see him often in my mind’s eye, and I’m reminded how fortunate we are because we do have real freedom.
So, on this uniquely American holiday, I wish you health and happiness. I wish you a joyous holiday. And I wish you a moment of quiet amid the noise from the picnics and the fireworks—a moment to remember that you have real freedom. Freedom unlike any other nation in the world enjoys. Freedom to remember and savor that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Maintain your pursuit and Stay Inspired.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008 at 2:04 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.