HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL BRIDE!

I remember this phrase from when I was a kid. My mom would say if/when we got a little too full of ourselves. It's from the bible. The specific reference is Proverbs 16:18 (King James Version), which states, "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

I'm going to share a humbling experience of my own and a funny one, courtesy of my 7-year-old granddaughter, which prompted today's blog.

Just after we married, Deborah and I found an apartment to rent. We loved the place, but Deb thought we should carpet the living room. I said, "I think I can get the landlord to do that for free." Deborah asked me not to call. She thought it was embarrassing. I poopooed that, letting her know that I, Mr. Convincer, would get us a free carpet courtesy of my tremendous ability to sell anybody anything.

I recall vividly making the call. My brother-in-law Pete was over at our place when it happened. I called the landlord, an elderly man named Ed Russo, and railroaded him into committing to carpeting the living room for us. When I hung up, I crowed with some false humility.  It was ugly.

 "It wasn't fair," I boasted. "After all, I am a professional salesperson, and he's just an old retired guy. He had no chance against me. I feel a little bad, but I will certainly feel better with my bare feet on a newly carpeted living room floor for free!" 

Pete and Deb gave me a wry smile, appreciating the carpeting but not my bulldozing an older man or my gloating. My victory was short-lived. Ten minutes later, Ed called back and said he had spoken to Angie, his wife, and it was a no-go. If I wanted carpet, I would have to provide it. I tried to turn it around, but he shut me down. I felt like the ass I was in that moment—pride goeth before the fall.

My daughter told me a funny story about my granddaughter. River had a bruise on her forehead when they came to Sunday dinner. 

Alica explained. She said, "River grabbed a ski cap and said, Hey, Mommy and Daddy, watch how well I know our house. I can walk down the hallway without seeing."

Then she donned the ski hat, pulled it over her eyes, and began walking. In only two steps, she walked, head first, into a door jam. 

It was literally on the second step. 

It happened so quickly that Alicia and Brian thought River was making a joke, but no, she began to cry. She'd really bumped her head! Pride went before the fall.

I've allowed hubris to pollute conversations, business deals, and various personal moments. I remember the ones that stung and wonder how many occurred unwittingly and tarnished my persona in the eyes of another.

Confidence is essential. 

Conceit is ugly. Today, I attempt to understand rather than impose my will and drive, without compassion, toward what I want the outcome to be, believing I can mind-bend others to my will. 

Today, empathy is my lead, and I try to check my ego at the door. I remain a work in progress.

Own Your Sales Gene…