Turtle on a Fencepost

Dear Mike,

The author Alex Haley had a photograph in his office showing a turtle sitting on top of a fencepost. It's the best metaphor I've seen on the power of mentorship, and a fitting reminder to be grateful as we head into the holiday season. Why? Read on....

"Why do you Hang That Picture?"

A reporter sat down for an interview with Pulitzer Prize winner Alex Haley, author of "Roots" and many other best sellers. He asked Haley why he had this photograph on the wall and what it meant.

Haley responded that he had achieved his success only by being helped by several mentors who recognized his potential and helped him on his career journey. "The turtle didn't get there by himself, he was lifted by someone. This is my reminder to do the same and lift others."

When Someone Lifted Me

At the age of 29, I found myself broke and unemployed for the second time. I had spent my 20s chasing fortune in the bar, music and real estate businesses. I was couch-surfing at friend's houses, driving a $75.00 per week Rent-a-Wreck rental car in South Florida. The vehicle had one of those doughnut spare tires on one wheel. I was single, and what a catch.

I printed up a new batch of resumes, and started passing them out to people I had met who might be able to give me another chance.

One of these people was Jon Harvey Klasfeld, who I'd met a a Dale Carnegie program. He had been attending the course to help get along better with his family. During the 12 week course, I got to know him a bit and helped him understand and communicate with his son, who was close to my age. Jon was retired, but dabbled in real estate like a lot of retirees do.

When he saw me, he called my into his office and thanked me for the million dollars I had given him for Christmas. Yes, as a gag, I had sent million dollar checks as Christmas cards that year. R-E-A-L M-I-L-I-I-O-N D-O-L-L-A-R Checks. Not voided, not canceled. I thought I'd take "Thanks a Million" to a new level, and I did.

I thought everyone would laugh and take it in the holiday spirit. All my recipients except one understood it was a joke. (I did have one fairly uncomfortable conversation with Atlantic Bank about that one). This is a picture of my Christmas Card that year.

Jon had my million dollar check underneath the glass on top of his desk. Thank God he got the joke and thought it was funny. "I loved it" he said.

He looked me in the eye for an uncomfortable minute, and asked "Mike. are you ready to get serious?"

I stammered "Yes". He looked at me and said "promise me two things. You'll get really good at what you do and don't quit. Are you ready to do that?"

I said "Yes"

"OK then". He picked up the phone. "I'm sending a young man over, and I want you to find him a job. Thanks." He hung up the phone, clunk.

I thought Jon Klasfeld was a retired guy. Little did I know he had founded and run one of the largest executive search firms in the USA (Jon Harvey and Associates). His firm had just placed the President of Exxon.

"We don't normally place anyone for less than a $250,000 salary, his recruiter told me." Gulp.

They found me a job in this new-fangled computer business, and my base salary was a whopping $18,000 per year. But I got really good at what I did, and didn't quit.

Paying it Forward

That one job referral changed my life and career. I never really got to thank Jon Harvey for what he did for me, and 40 years later, it's too late.

What I can do is try to be like Jon Harvey Klasfeld to other young people who look a lot like I did all those years ago. I have a standing rule that I ALWAYS find time to help a person interested in accelerating their career. It doesn't matter whether they pay or not, I never say "no". My only question comes from Jon Harvey Klasfeld: "Are you ready to get serious?"

As we roll into yet another holiday season, ask yourself the questions: Who lifted you? Who are you lifting?

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Meet the "Hit Mann"

Mike Schmidtmann coaches business owners and sales leaders across the USA. He works to drive results in sales recruiting, new business development, and profitability.

Mike led sales for Inacom Communications for ten years. then founded and built a $30 Million business unit for SPS.

Mike produces the award-winning Trans4mers webinar series on IT sales and management subjects. He is a frequent public speaker on business topics.

He lives on a farm in Northern Virginia with his family and assorted horses, alpacas, goats and dogs.

Play "Stump the Chump"

E-Mail Mike with a vexing and perplexing question and you'll get a telling and compelling reply.

Mike Schmidtmann

 (703) 408 - 9103

Mike@Trans4mers.net

www.MikeSchmidtmann.com