Transformational C-level leader with multi-industry experience in biz dev, M&A, marketing, strategy, ops, people development, profit improvement and FP&A
“No soup for you!”, my kids like to shout out with laughter every time I put on my Soup Nazi shirt. They aren’t yet old enough to understand all of the humor in each episode of Seinfeld, but, like me, they love watching clips of the Soup Nazi’s interactions with other characters in that comedy series. When they inevitably asked, “Dad, have you ever run into anyone like the Soup Nazi in real life?”, I knew it was time for a teaching moment. “Imagine that you are part of a business”, I’d start off. “Now, think of all the characters you’ve seen on TV or in movies that you think might be particularly ‘difficult’ people to get along with. How would you deal with each one if he or she were your boss? How about if they were a co-worker, someone you were asked to manage, a customer, a supplier, or someone else important to your business?” “I’d probably go find another job with a different company!”, one of my boys would say. “That’s always an option,” I’d respond, “but, unfortunately, you might find yourself having to change jobs and companies pretty often.” One of the things I particularly love about using the Soup Nazi character as a learning device is the fact that his story is ultimately a tragedy that can evoke some level of empathy from my kids. As they recognize, he’s so talented in one area of skills – developing a great product - that people are willing to put up with all of his negative personality traits in order to benefit from their interactions with him. And, clearly, he takes virtuous pride in offering his customers an exceptional product. But when his recipes are stolen, the one thing that offsets his negative personality traits disappears, and his business consequently collapses. My kids and I have therefore had some long and thought-provoking discussions about how someone like the Soup Nazi might be helped to successfully maintain and grow his business. Put him on Shark Tank? “Probably not,” my kids agree. But some kind of franchising model that emphasizes the Soup Nazi’s personal dedication to an exceptional product while shielding customers from his negative eccentricities might be a winning solution. “Someday,” I tell my kids, “You might get opportunities to explore all of the rabbit trails of possibility for someone like the Soup Nazi and see what ultimately works best. And, although it might be a frustrating experience like any other difficult problem, helping to save someone from themselves might turn out to be one of the most satisfying episodes of your career.” It’s never too early to start teaching your kids how to be successful in the business world, and that should start with learning how to get along with – and positively influence - other people. Like playing a musical instrument, “people skills” are something your kids can focus on developing throughout their lives and always still have room to further improve. And the process can be fun! #Mentoring #Education #Success #Coaching #Consulting #PeopleSkills
Eric Hoffend
2y
Ron, you gotta read my book “Who Gets It?!” It’s about people & companies that Get-It, Don’t Get It and how to push your teams into high performance. Lots of stories! Buy copies for your kids also 😂 Available on Amazon!!
Ron Graham
2y
For anyone who doesn't know the character: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2lfZg-apSA
Transformational C-level leader with multi-industry experience in biz dev, M&A, marketing, strategy, ops, people development, profit improvement and FP&A
2yI'll be the first to admit that I've had challenges developing my own people skills. Luckily, I was raised by a dad who was a psychologist and was always there to open my eyes to the endless opportunities to improve my skills. Something he said when I was in high school has stuck with me my whole life and has shaped how I now mentor my kids. "The first sign of maturity you see in a person is their ability to understand that all people are different, including themselves, and be willing to work on their ability to develop constructive relationships with as broad a range of people as possible," he said. "A second level of maturity, which some people never reach, is to recognize that bad behavior on others' part is like a physical disability. Their bad behavior to you does not reflect on yourself, but how you respond to it does. Would you help a physically disabled person cross a street, even if they seemed ungrateful for your help? Your choice will show your maturity." My dad, George Andrew Graham, Jr., passed away in July two years ago. Not a day goes by that I don't miss him and his sage advice!