Surround yourself with people that know what you don't!

Yesterday was a "WOW" day for me. First let me thank the person involved in the WOW. "The Rook". A little explanation for this outburst. We all have strong points, and understand the most successful CEO's and Managers of any field realize a simple rule, surround yourself with people that know what you don't! We cannot master all aspects of an industry. So find an expert. For me yesterday was one of the many in my life that I realized that there is much to learn. And that I was never going to master everything. I spent an hour on the phone and gathered some very valuable information on Social Media, Marketing and ON-Line Reputation growth. My belief was that I had a sufficient knowledge of what that might look like, you know gaining a good reputation On-Line. Uh NO CLUE. So this blog is about giving up your know-it-all attitude. "The Rook" did not dig into all of my On-Line content, but his quick overview was the type of information that I needed. Not the typical "yes man" responses, he gave me true feedback. Isn't it frustrating to try to improve and everyone always tells you have great it all is, all the time you know it is just a bunch of smoke. So thank you The Rook for your time yesterday and your honest appraisal. Looking forward to more meetings filled with honesty and personal growth!

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Comment by Tim Marvel on March 17, 2014 at 7:12am: Thanks Brian and Mike for the input. I love the interaction and the fact that it is not about "yes men". The honesty will help me get to where I am going, and be better in the end.

Have a great attitude today!

Tim

Comment by Brian Bennington on March 16, 2014 at 11:01pm: Well, Timothy, I'm sure glad you had a "WOW" day yesterday, and then took the time to share it with us. Unfortunately, experience has taught me that most CEOs, Owners, General Managers and Mgrs. DON'T want to "surround" themselves with people who "know what they don't" for a lot of reasons. Most management (except those related to the owner) doesn't want anyone to know more about anything handled by them under their job description. Those who do, or those who are perceived to, can constitute a threat, and suddenly have a target on their back. The longest lasting management I've experienced has one thing in common. They are excellent at holding on to their jobs, and will do whatever it takes to keep them. Frankly, if you've got an idea that will help them, the surest way to get it listened to and implemented is to figure out how you can make it look like it was their idea. That's the "art" of it. Even if they know it was your idea, you making sure they get credit for it is another way of showing them you know they're "the boss." And anyway, there's nothing as useless as an unused idea, no matter how good it is, so "kissing an ass or two" to make it happen is well worth it.

Asking people to give up their know-it-all attitude is a noble question, but for many that attitude is inherent to their behavior. The only way they'll give it up is if they make a "booboo" so bad, they're forced to admit to all involved they don't know everything, which many will readily do if their job is at stake. And, if they're smart, it will prove to be a "lasting lesson." Personally, I'll be the first to admit I don't know anything. It's the easiest stance to defend. I feel so strongly about it I've already made provisions that my burial headstone has only my name and an inscription below it stating "He knew his limitations." My only reason for joining DE and ADM is to learn things I don't know, or at least aren't sure of.

Anytime I participate with a blog, I always read the author's bio page. Yours said you're a trainer for Group 1 Automotive. Does that means "sales trainer"? If that's the case, I admire you for it. It's a thankless never-ending job, but someone has to do it. Having done it before, the first thing I learned is that a trainer should have the lion's share of influence over who their company hires, because in the end, the trainer will know more about their trainees' capabilities than anyone else in the organization. Most green peas are desperate to prove to everyone in the vicinity how savvy they are, which in itself isn't bad, but they inevitably try to prove it prematurely, before they know enough to pull it off. And, beware of anyone who goes by the nickname of a chess piece. That "Rook" could very likely turn out to be a "Pawn," or possibly even a "Queen."

Comment by Mike Stoner on March 16, 2014 at 8:10pm: We don't know what we don't know most of the time. Therefor it is imperative to keep listening with an openness that will allow you to see and hear the nuggets that provide those "Ah-Ha" moments that others never get because their not knowing what they don't know instills a belief they know it all.

Always be listening. You never know when the lot attendant (or anyone) may have a million dollar idea or solution that just need to be heard.