July 11, 2012 / in General Information / by Mic Johnson
Since my career began, I’ve always been a guy that asked “Why?” I don’t do it to be disagreeable. I don’t do it to create conflict. I don’t have any interest in trying to prove I’m smarter than anyone else. I’m not motivated by me “winning” and someone else “losing”.
Because I am a “Why?” guy, in some of the corporate roles I’ve had, I was accused of “not being a team player” or “being negative” and was “advised” to be more aware of how others perceived me. I thought it then and I think it today: That is a load of crap. (oh wait, is that me being negative again or just brutally honest? Hint: It’s the latter.)
At any rate, I could never quite put my finger on why I knew in my heart that I was one kind of person, but that some people in my personal and professional lives viewed me entirely another way.
It wasn’t until a conversation a couple of years ago with Jason that he (thankfully) illuminated it for me:
“Mic, that’s what I love about you. YOU CARE SO MUCH!”
When he said those words, it was like a fireworks display went off in my brain! Alas, the truth had been revealed to me, albeit with a polite and helpful nudge from Jason.
The reason I ask “Why?”, the reason I try to find the best solution and not just “good enough”, the reason that I love helping people, the reason why my heart aches when I see friends going through difficult times, the reason why I feel let down when people don’t do what they say they are going to do, the reason it kills me when I see people who have given up on career or life happiness, the reason it crushes me when people let lifelong friendships or business relationships fall by the wayside….
The reason for all of it is because I CARE. It’s in my DNA. It will never change. And I’m done apologizing for it.
And now I’m writing this article because I care. I don’t know if it will do anything for you. I hope you can relate to it. I hope you reference this the next time you are feeling like your life or career or business is going nowhere. I hope it inspires you. I hope you take this message and do something with it.
If you are taking the time to read this, I care about YOU…because you have invested your time in me. Thank you.
I care about the business community in Kansas City.
I care about improving the local economy.
I care that so many people hate their jobs.
I care that so many people can’t find jobs.
I care that so many businesses aren’t hiring.
I care that so many businesses are struggling in this economy.
I care about people that had the courage to start their own business and who take on all of the pressures and headaches that comes with it.
I feel bad for people that think their careers are over and that they can’t (or won’t) reinvent themselves.
I feel bad for people that never get out of their comfort zone. That is where the magic happens.
I feel bad for people who have no outlet for their creativity.
I feel bad for people that think they aren’t interesting.
I feel bad for businesses that continue to sit on the social media sidelines while the game is being played.
I feel bad for people that could accomplish so much more if they would put their pride aside and seek out help.
I feel bad for businesses that think they can keep doing business the same way they always have.
I feel bad for people who have quit dreaming.
I feel bad for businesses who follow while their competition leads.
I feel bad for people that think only MONEY=SUCCESS.
I feel bad for people that complain about being too busy, but who consistently create the problem for themselves.
I don’t have all of the answers. But I’m not going to give up. I can’t. I care too much.
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I’ve read many of your blog posts. While I have enjoyed most of them, and learned from them…none have “hit home” like this one. It’s like I was reading an exert from my own life…..even down to the job review comments. When you care so much, work isn’t work….it’s fun (like recess when you were a kid) and when you see clients succeed it’s like a part of you has succeeded too.
Thanks for sharing a peek into “Mic’s World”.
Kelly:
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our blog and especially for taking the time to comment. Not everyone does that and we really appreciate the feedback. I LOVED your comment about “when you see clients succeed it’s like a part of you has succeeded too”. I’ve never thought of it that way, but that is exactly how I feel.
Thanks again for the comment and for reading! We appreciate you!
Mic,
Great post! I resonated with so much of what you said. It also reminded me of my utter frustration at times when I ran into others who did not care and just went about doing things because either “That is how we have always done it” or “It’s just a job”. The most successful people to me are the ones who care and are passionate about what they do and the people they serve.
Mike:
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our blog and especially for taking the time to comment. Not everyone does that and we really appreciate the feedback.
And I TOTALLY agree with your comments. One of my #1 pet peeves my entire career has been the “that’s the way it’s always been done” crowd. It’s so short sighted…and most of the time it’s because those people are too lazy to do the work it takes to make things better. “Just good enough” is as high as they set the bar for themselves.
Thanks again for the comment and for reading!
Mic,
All I can say is …….this is the BEST blog post I personally have ever read! It is as if you were writing my blog!
You do get it………..it is in the DNA………….Caring!
I am so glad that you are bold and stepping out and speaking the truth, giving people courage!
I know when I help and care it makes me different, and then you see the magic happen, someone has more hope!
A willingness to go that extra mile to care and help! I for one am so encouraged because you ask WHY and so do I.
Keep up the great work that you do!
Mimi Gatschet
Mimi: Thank you so much for reading the blog article and taking the time to comment. Not everyone does that and I really appreciate the feedback. Thanks again for the soooo very kind words. I appreciate it!
I have always been a WHY? person too (must be in the genes). Too often I have seen people make hasty, not well-thought out decisions that affect the lives of others. I have dealt with people of authority who think that you just have to do what I say because I am the boss—and when I have asked WHY–why are we doing it this way, how will this help us change for the better, why did you decide to go this route–I was also been accused of not being a team player—and boy, was I made to feel that way. My asking WHY made others have to think—and they did not want to do that–I realized that it is a type of bullying when people refuse to elaborate or jutify their decisions and just expect everyone to go along with whatever they are asking—The people who do not know how to answer the WHY questions are the ones that lack confidence, people skills, and a vision for what is best for the whole organization–I still ask WHY today–and will continue—because those 3 letters help me grow as a person and help others clarify and reflect on the decisions they are making—Thanks for the BLOG!!!!!
Thanks for the comments, Marney (my big sis!). Yes, it’s definitely in the genes. Great thoughts!!
Point very well made.