Pontoons, not jet skis, define lake life for me. Not that I don’t enjoy a hair-whipping spin around the lake as either spotter or skier, depending on whose turn it was. This particular day was all about the pontoon.
Usually, it’s a relaxing experience and a great way to enjoy the lake’s peaceful nature.
On this particular afternoon, things got a bit dicey. The first thump and bump of the ride involved rather large rocks, extremely shallow water, and a few more thumps and bumps than were comfortable.
Not to worry, though!
We maneuvered our way out of the rocky-bottomed boat-snatcher patch and successfully docked next to the gas pump after three, maybe four, wind-assisted misses and a final manly assist from a dad and his teenage sons.
One thing led to another in my mind. As I witnessed the completely unscripted teamwork that unfolded before my eyes to assist five souls to shore, my thoughts naturally turned to communication and to what I hope are microcosmic bursts of business putting humans back in the driver’s seat. It’s simple, but big things.
Burger King’s recent ad campaigns are going ‘old school’ in a good way, imho. The CEO is putting his face and voice behind the very thing Burger King was founded on: “Have it Your Way.” It’s about what’s happening with Barnes & Noble and the distinctive, intentional move to shift decision-making back into the hands of the people in the field. The jury’s out
And as happens, more often than not, a song title, say, “You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can’t Tuna Fish” by REO Speedwagon, goes into my head, and there’s often a fast follow: “Oh, I wrote a post related to that!” And, of course, I did.
At that time, I wrote: “My reasons for writing have changed; I’ve come to realize that it’s not about me. Art, whatever form it takes, isn’t meant to serve the artist; it’s meant to serve the community. Its purpose is to entertain and motivate, provide optimism and solace; its purpose is to inspire.”
The same thing is true today; my reasons for writing haven’t changed; they’ve just expanded and matured, and believe it or not, I think it applies to burgers and good business:
- The “thing” (in this case, burgers) doesn’t exist to serve the maker; it exists to serve the people it’s for. “Have It Your Way” is the fast-food translation of “it’s not about me.”
- The “thing’s” purpose is to entertain, motivate, provide optimism, financially reward, engage, nurture, and inspire.
- The organization “selling” the “thing” has the responsibility and privilege to steward the people who build, maintain, iterate, sell, and consume that “thing.”
Gifts are for giving, especially if you are in any leadership position. Put the ego aside, contribute to the people and not about yourself, and you end up with more joy, not less, and the world ends up a little better.
Speaking of gifts, my week at the Lake of a Million Memories has been one once again. But I’m ready to go home and continue this trip around the sun; next up: voice lessons, starting with “Do-Re-Mi,” which I’m sure will lead straight to “A Few of My Favorite Things.” 😊
