Wealth of Wisdom

CHAPTER 51Hats Off to You!

Lee Hausner

A newborn infant has a clear role in its family: It's the baby.

As the years progress, the infant fills a variety of additional roles: brother, sister, father, mother, uncle, aunt, etc.

Years ago I heard a member of a prominent family enterprise describe his career path in the following manner: Upon graduating from college, he immediately entered the family business and was given a division to run. By his own admission, he neglected his duties, and one day the controller of the company told him his dad wanted to see him. It was the custom in this company that a meeting with dad generally meant a promotion or a raise. So, with great anticipation, this man drove to dad's home. His dad welcomed him, and the young man noticed two baseball caps on the table. Dad put on a hat with the word BOSS. He said, “Son, it is difficult to be a boss in a family business, but you have not met any of your goals in the past two years, and so this is your termination notice. You're fired.” As the young man was reeling, his dad quickly put on the other baseball hat with the inscription DAD, and added, “Son, I understand that you were fired from your job today. Mom and I will be as supportive as we can.” As a result of this exchange, the young man left the family business and worked for the next five years outside the family enterprise, before returning to it with a renewed sense of responsibility and stewardship.

Thus was born the exercise “Hats Off to You!” ...