Participants: Yvonne Lewis (Host), Keith Wyche
Series Code: UBR
Program Code: UBR000123A
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00:01 Are you a minority professional who feels as though
00:03 your company has some unwritten rules? 00:06 How can you position yourself for success? 00:09 Well, stay tuned to hear all about it... 00:11 My name is Yvonne Lewis 00:13 and you're watching Urban Report... 00:39 Hello and welcome to Urban Report... 00:41 My guest today is Keith Wyche Speaker and Author of 00:45 "Good Is Not Enough" 00:47 Welcome to Urban Report Keith... 00:49 Thank you so much for having me... 00:51 Oh, man, Keith, you have such great information 00:55 in your book, "Good Is Not Enough" 00:57 What was the motivation for writing that book? 01:01 You know, the motivation really stemmed from the fact that 01:04 when I was in Corporate America initially 01:06 in the early 1980s... there were not a lot of people 01:09 who looked like me in leadership positions 01:12 and the few that were there kind of had a 01:14 "Crab in the Barrel" mentality that said, 01:16 "Hey, I got mine, you get yours" 01:18 and so I promised myself, if I ever got to any level of 01:22 significance, so to speak, in Corporate America 01:25 I would document and codify those lessons 01:27 and the mistakes that I've learned and others 01:30 to share with that next generation of leadership 01:32 because I think, 01:33 "True leaders make sure that they create future leaders. " 01:36 Absolutely, it is so important that we're all in here together 01:42 so we need to help each other out... 01:44 we need to identify the different aspects of the journey 01:49 that we need to share and pass on... 01:52 so that others can kind of take advantage 01:54 of the benefits that we were blessed with... 01:57 Absolutely... it is particularly important 02:00 for women and people of color 02:02 who have not typically had role models of people 02:05 maybe... in their families 02:06 to pass these lessons down and so 02:08 if you didn't grow up in a family 02:10 with a Corporate Executive or a Leader... 02:12 you may not be aware of some of these unwritten rules. 02:15 Yes, yes... let's go back and kind of look at your journey 02:18 because I think you've had a really interesting life too... 02:21 Where did you grow up? 02:23 I grew up in the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio... 02:26 a child of the 60s... 02:27 so, I grew up through the Civil Rights era... 02:30 I don't just remember Selma from the movie... 02:33 I actually remember living through it... 02:35 and so it was a very difficult time, 02:37 a very challenging time... it was Vietnam war time... 02:41 and so, it was a time when really 02:43 I was the first in my family to go to College 02:46 of the kids... and so, it was really a difficult time 02:50 Yeah, and being the first... there's a lot of pressure 02:53 involved in that... isn't there? 02:55 Like being the first... a lot of expectations... 02:58 Yeah... it really is... because I'm the first grandchild 03:01 on my maternal side... 03:03 and so, as I'm the oldest child 03:05 of my parents... and so, it was instilled in me 03:09 to set an example 03:11 for those who come behind... 03:12 You know, it's so funny Keith because for me too... 03:15 growing up... I'm the oldest grandchild 03:19 and my grandmother... just instilled in me 03:21 from childhood... "get an education... 03:24 get an education... because 03:25 one day you might have to take care of your family... 03:29 you don't know... so get that education... " 03:30 so it was never... "if I go to college" 03:33 it was always... "when" so the expectation is there 03:36 and so... did you grow up in a 03:38 a two-parent household? 03:40 I did... I absolutely did... 03:43 you said something that's so key... 03:45 it's the expectations that were set so in my family... 03:48 it was understood... "you're going to college... 03:50 we don't know where... but you're going to college" 03:53 it was understood that you would get good grades 03:56 my parents were very active, particularly my mother... 03:58 in PTA Meetings and Open Houses. I went to Cleveland Public Schools 04:03 and she was there... actively involved... 04:06 You know what Keith... that is such an important point 04:10 because one of the things that I see... 04:12 that's happened... there's been a decline... 04:16 in the focus... the emphasis on education... 04:19 number one... and number two... 04:22 there's been this decline in parental involvement... 04:27 your mother was at the meetings, 04:29 your mother would talk to the teachers... 04:31 parents must be involved in their children's academic lives 04:37 because you can't just say, 04:39 "Well, that's for the School to do... 04:41 and I'm just going to... do what I do at home... " 04:44 you have to be involved... and so, what I'm hearing... 04:47 is that... your mom... 04:48 was very involved in your academic life... 04:52 which I think... sets a child up for success. 04:56 It really does... on so many levels... 04:58 first of all... it lets the school administration know 05:01 that you have people and parents 05:03 who care about your education, that's the first thing... 05:06 the second thing is... 05:07 as a student... it kept me on my toes... 05:09 you know, I speak to a lot of Administrators and Organizations 05:13 and it's sad to say that PTA Meetings 05:15 now go vastly unattended... 05:17 there are more parents in line to shop on Black Friday 05:20 the day after Thanksgiving... than attend the PTA Meeting 05:23 and so, we have to get more actively engaged 05:26 and really understand that it's education... 05:29 my grandmother is 99 years old 05:31 and she says, "Education is something that 05:33 once you have it they can't take it from you" 05:35 Absolutely... 05:36 it is something that you carry with you... 05:41 it's a way of life... it's a way of thinking... 05:45 it opens up worlds to you... 05:46 that would not, perhaps, have been opened up, had you not 05:49 and it doesn't even necessarily mean... just formal education... 05:53 but I'm talking about literacy as well... 05:56 and I don't want to get too far of... off focus... but 06:00 one of the things that I noticed too... 06:02 is that our kids are not reading... 06:04 they don't know how to read... 06:06 85 percent of American kids cannot read at grade level... 06:11 so, we really are... 06:13 we're not doing some of the things that I read about in 06:18 "Good Is Not Enough" 06:21 which is... personal responsibility 06:23 "Are we living up to our best... 06:26 are we doing our best?" 06:28 so, literacy and learning to read 06:32 is so critical... and that's something that 06:34 even if you don't have money you can go to the library... 06:37 take your child to the library and get a free book 06:39 and read to your child... 06:41 there's no excuse... Absolutely... 06:43 there's no excuse... so, with you... 06:45 as you were growing up... 06:46 your grandmother... emphasized... 06:48 and your mother emphasized education 06:51 you had a two-parent household so your dad was there... 06:55 what impact did having your father in the home have on you? 06:59 It was huge for me... because he was my role model 07:03 what manhood was... 07:04 one of the things that really, to this day, 07:07 brings tears to my eyes... is this... 07:08 I saw this man actually graduate from college in 1964... 07:13 after going 10 years at Night School 07:15 and working in the Steel Mills by day... 07:17 Wow! Imagine what that did for me 07:20 and what that instilled in me... watching him... 07:22 you know, work in the Steel Mills by day 07:24 and go to School at night... 07:25 that was emphatical... 07:27 he taught me how to be a gentleman 07:30 he taught me how to treat my mother and sisters, 07:32 so he was my role model... and so, again, you know, 07:35 he is one of the people that gave a sense of achievement 07:38 but was really the foundation for me... 07:40 he let me understand who I was, and set the expectations... 07:44 And look what he taught you... he taught you to persevere... 07:49 in spite of all the odds... in spite of every obstacle... 07:53 "if you hang in there... you can reach your goal... " 07:57 and so, this had to be impactful on you because 08:01 you saw it really happened... 08:03 it wasn't just something he told you... 08:05 it was something he lived... Yes... absolutely... 08:08 So, you went through College, you did all that... 08:11 how did you enter Corporate life? 08:13 Literally, I graduated one week and two weeks later 08:18 I started working in Corporate America 08:20 as a Sales Person for the Bell System... 08:21 now, I'm old enough to remember Ma Bell when it was a monopoly 08:25 and if you wanted a phone, you had to go to Ma Bell... 08:27 if you wanted long-distance... you had to go there... 08:30 and so, it was an interesting time because it was a monopoly 08:34 but it was a time when we started seeing 08:36 the robustness of technology... 08:38 so it was really a great time to enter the workforce... for me 08:40 And what did you find out in terms of being a minority 08:46 especially... growing up during that time... 08:50 and in Corporate America... 08:51 what kinds of experiences 08:54 did you have in Corporate America at that time? 08:56 Yeah, I had some very interesting... 08:59 my first day on the job I was in the men's rest room 09:02 and a large white male co-worker stood next to me 09:05 and said, "You know, you got a job 09:08 that a white man should have" first day on the job... 09:11 a few months later... I was the sales person 09:14 I was selling phone systems to an automobile dealership 09:17 and I was the lead person and the gentleman said, 09:20 "I don't do business with people like you... 09:22 so if you'll need to have someone come out... " 09:24 Well, I said, "I'll get my boss she'll come out" 09:27 he said, "Did you say 'she'" 09:28 he says, "I don't do business with women either... " 09:31 and so, literally, the Company sent out my assistant 09:34 who was a young caucasian gentleman 09:36 who got the sale... and it really opened my eyes 09:39 to the fact that, you know, "racism was real... " 09:42 and was something that I still had to deal with... 09:45 and this was back in 1980 or 1981... 09:47 Yeah, so how did you work around that 09:49 because you became very successful... 09:52 how did you work around those obstacles? 09:55 You know, it's a great question a few things... 09:57 first of all... you know... 09:59 I said, "There are things I can't control... 10:01 I can't control the color of my skin... 10:03 I couldn't control what time I was born... 10:04 but I can control who I put my faith and trust in... 10:08 and how I behave... " 10:09 and so, I made sure that I worked twice as hard, 10:14 so to speak... to make sure that everyone 10:17 understood I was competent, 10:18 that I was not an 'affirmative-action hired' 10:20 that I didn't get this job because I was Black... 10:22 but that I'm competent and I'm qualified... 10:24 the other thing, though, this is a crucial... 10:27 I see a lot of our children struggle with it today... 10:29 I was able to communicate effectively 10:31 in the business world... 10:33 yes, I grew up in the inner city of Cleveland... 10:35 and there was one way I spoke in my neighborhood... 10:38 there was a different way I spoke in Corporate America 10:41 and never the two shall meet... 10:42 and so, between my communication skills 10:45 and my interpersonal skills... 10:47 being able to get along with different people 10:48 that really led to me moving up in Corporate America. 10:52 That is such an important point, we're getting on this Network 10:56 we're planning a Program called "Working the Dream" 10:59 in which we're going to show our young people 11:03 how to dress for an interview, how to behave in an interview, 11:07 in Corporate America... because as you said, 11:10 you cannot... 11:11 you can't go into a job interview 11:14 and say, "Yo" wus up... you can't do that... 11:17 that is inappropriate 11:18 for that situation... 11:20 and one of the things you talk about... 11:22 in the book is... is the climate... basically... 11:27 the culture of the company... and that is an important point 11:31 would you elaborate on that for us... 11:33 the culture of the company... 11:34 Yeah, that is so critical... 11:36 every Organization... 11:37 every Company... has their own culture... 11:39 those rules, those norms that are acceptable 11:41 and so, you know, let me be transparent... 11:43 I have learned more from my failures 11:45 than I have from my successes... 11:46 my successes inspired me... my failures taught me... 11:49 and one of my first failures and you'll laugh... 11:52 was that I went on a job interview 11:53 while I was still in College to go work for Xerox... 11:56 again, I didn't really understand how to prepare... 11:59 and so, Yvonne, I go to this interview 12:01 with a beige polyester suit with beige cowboy boots 12:07 and a big... belt buckle... 12:11 and I'll never forget the look on the face of the receptionist 12:14 she was an African American woman... she was older... 12:15 and she just looked at me and just shook her head and said 12:18 "Lord, help him... " but what I had to understand 12:22 was in that culture, 12:23 that would not be appropriate attire... 12:25 that was a business attire... 12:26 they wanted me to represent the Organization 12:29 so, you have to understand... 12:30 you have to understand is it an Organization 12:32 that promotes... based on... 12:34 you know... how long you've been in the job 12:37 or based on performance... and so, you have to understand 12:40 "Is it a company that respects and embraces diversity?" 12:44 You know, one of the things I talk to young people about is... 12:47 before you go work for a Company 12:49 because you can have a great job in a bad Company 12:52 is... check the website... do you see diverse leaders... 12:55 as Senior Leaders... 12:56 look at their Board of Directors... 12:58 did you see diversity on their Board of Directors... 13:00 that may be an indication of how well or how 13:04 "not so well" they embrace diversity... 13:06 Those are critical points because... you need to know 13:10 the culture of the Company, 13:13 you need to know how that Company... 13:15 what their philosophy is... how they live that through 13:19 I know here at 3ABN... 13:20 our Vice President... General Manager 13:23 says that 3ABN has its own DNA, and it does... 13:28 it really does... it has its own DNA... 13:31 and there are people that come through here... 13:33 they either love it or they don't stay... 13:37 they either stay or they leave, but its got its own DNA... 13:42 and I think... it behooves you to do your research 13:46 and find out about that Company... 13:48 another thing that you talk about 13:51 that I just think is so... so important... 13:55 is if that door has been opened for you... 13:58 that door has been opened for you... 14:00 but it's up to you... to keep it open... 14:02 let's talk a bit about personal responsibility... 14:05 in maintaining that job... that position... 14:09 Yeah... that is so crucial... because I'm a big believer 14:12 in self-empowerment... you know, when I talk to... 14:16 and I was at a Bank yesterday... 14:17 speaking about the "door opening" 14:19 you know, I talk in terms of diversity... 14:21 inclusion and equality... and what I say is... 14:23 "Diversity gets you invited to the parties... 14:25 inclusion gets you a seat at the table... 14:28 and equality says, 14:29 'you get the same opportunities on your plate as everyone else'" 14:32 however, it's what you do with those opportunities 14:35 and that's what will make or break you... 14:38 because at the end of the day it's about results... 14:41 and "getting the job done". 14:42 Absolutely, it's not about, you know, 14:46 just having the door opened... 14:47 it's about, "That door is open now, you have to walk through, 14:51 and you have to keep yourself in that spot... " 14:54 which means... "Good is not enough" correct? 14:57 Absolutely, and one of the things 14:59 I've stressed... and you touched on it earlier, 15:01 I talk about, 15:03 "You have to stay current to remain relevant. " 15:05 You have got to be a continuous learner... 15:08 you have got to be someone who has, what I call, 15:10 "intellectual curiosity" always asking, always seeking, 15:14 the day that you think you know it all... 15:16 the day you get your degree and you think that... you know, 15:19 "I'm Mr. and Ms. Wonderful... " 15:20 is really the day that you are in trouble... 15:23 because you can never stop learning... 15:25 we live in the information age, 15:26 and if you rest on the laurels of what you know 'yesterday' 15:30 you will be lost tomorrow because it changes that fast! 15:34 That's right, you'll be obsolete so fast, your head will spin 15:37 because you have to stay on top of what's going on... 15:40 so that you can, again, remain relevant... 15:43 Yeah... and it doesn't stop... 15:45 there's a story I like to tell... 15:47 I was interviewing to be President 15:49 of a 2 billion dollar grocery chain... 15:51 and I had no grocery background, so I go prepared to meet 15:54 with the Chairman of this Organization... 15:56 and I study all of this information 15:58 about grocery stores and what have you... 16:00 the gentleman asked me two questions... 16:02 he said, "Keith, where do you get your 16:03 information from... on a daily basis?" 16:05 and I talked about the fact that typically before 9 o'clock 16:09 I've read the Wall Street Journal 16:11 I've read the Industry Publication 16:12 and to stay current, I'll read USA Today... 16:14 He said, "Great... " 16:15 he says, "now, what's the last great business book you've read" 16:18 and I shared with him the book I had read... 16:20 and he said, "Good... " 16:21 he said, "I can teach you the grocery business... 16:24 what I can't teach is... intellectual curiosity... 16:27 what I can't teach is a hunger for knowledge... " 16:30 and that's what we have to have... 16:31 Absolutely, wow! that is so... that's deep... 16:35 so he wasn't as concerned about your knowledge... 16:39 about the field... as he was... the fact that you are 16:42 eager to obtain knowledge... 16:45 and you're consistent in your efforts to do so... 16:49 Consistent and systematic, yes! Yes... 16:52 and when I speak now, 16:53 I ask that question to my audience 16:54 I said, "If I were to ask you, 16:56 'where do you get your information from every day' 16:57 what would your answer be?" 16:58 If I were to ask you, what's the best... you know... 17:00 the latest business book that you've read... 17:02 what would your answer be? 17:04 and don't raise your hand... 17:05 but I see a lot of sheepish faces out there... 17:08 What would you... two questions... 17:12 what do you see as the current 17:15 trend with young minority professionals... 17:18 what do you see... 17:19 the path that they tend to be going down? 17:24 Yeah, that's interesting... 17:26 I'm on the Board of an Organization called, 17:27 "The National Black MBA Association" 17:29 and so we hold the largest career fair for minorities 17:33 every year in the world... and what I see... 17:35 some of it is generational... they're the millennials... 17:38 they grew up with instant everything... 17:41 and they want it... and they want it now... 17:43 and so, some of it is... helping them to understand 17:47 the importance of experience... 17:48 the value of... before you worry about the 17:51 next job... learn to master this one... 17:54 but I will tell you... that they also grew up with technology 17:58 in the crib... and so... they have forgotten more about 18:01 technology than you and I will ever know... 18:03 they're very creative, they're very innovative... 18:06 but what I'm trying to help them understand is to... 18:10 appreciate, again, the value of patience 18:12 and doing a good job... the fact that, 18:15 "yes, you may have grown up in a microwave society but 18:18 the real world... doesn't work that way 18:21 there is no elevator to success, you got to take the stairs... " 18:23 Yes, for sure... and there are no short cuts 18:27 you have to get in there 18:30 and you have to sink your teeth 18:31 into what you've been given to do... 18:34 you also brought up something really important earlier 18:38 and that is the importance of knowing how to communicate 18:42 knowing how to communicate with different people 18:45 and so, it would seem to me... and you tell me 18:48 because you're the expert in this field 18:50 it would seem to me... that it's more important 18:53 to know how to communicate with various people 18:56 than again, perhaps even, knowing initially... 18:59 the subject matter... because you have to know 19:02 how to deal with... your people skills are critical. 19:06 Yeah, one thing I tell everyone I work with 19:08 or coach or consult with is... no one goes to the top 19:11 by themselves... someone was already there, 19:14 was already at the top of the ladder 19:16 or the other side of the glass ceiling 19:17 has to see you... recognize your value 19:20 then pull you through... 19:21 so it all happens with and through people 19:24 that's the first thing... the second thing is... 19:26 when we are in the Board Room 19:28 or are looking for who to promote 19:30 or who to hire... one of the things we ask is 19:33 "How well does he or she fit with this Organization?" 19:36 "Is he or she a team player?" you know, 19:39 one of the things that hindered me early in my career was 19:42 I was a bull in the China shop, you know, 19:44 I was that guy, who... you know, 19:47 "Get out of my way... I'm going to get it done... 19:49 but I'm going to break a lot of glass in the process... " 19:51 and what I learned is... 19:53 people tolerated that when you were at the entry level 19:57 but at some point... you got to mature 19:58 to understand... 19:59 you have to have the interpersonal skills 20:01 to get along with everyone... 20:03 particularly if you're going to be a leader 20:05 and particularly if you're not comfortable 20:07 with certain environments, you've got to be comfortable. 20:11 Yes, yes, what role did mentors play in your journey? 20:15 It was huge because I've been very self aware 20:20 my whole life... and my thing is 20:22 "I know my strengths... but I have these lesser strengths" 20:25 I don't call them weaknesses... 20:27 that I need people to help supplement... 20:28 and so, what I have found... and this was amazing... 20:32 that when I put myself in a position to be humble... 20:35 to ask for help... 20:36 there were people there to give it... 20:38 Now, surprisingly, and maybe somewhat disappointingly 20:42 most of my mentors did not look like me, Yvonne, 20:44 they were not Black men, 20:46 they were not African American typically 20:48 they were all... the whole colors of the rainbow 20:51 but the fact of the matter is, 20:52 is that, when you show initiative... 20:54 when you show that you want to learn 20:56 and that you're receptive to learning and to feedback... 20:59 people will come in... to help you. 21:01 And that's something, that, I think we need to embrace 21:06 that there are people of every culture that want to help, 21:09 that want to see you successful, that are there... 21:13 to kind of help you along in your journey, so... 21:16 I think that's awesome... 21:18 you have a philosophy... P E P what is that? 21:22 P E P... it's a philosophy that basically talks about 21:26 "Performance, Exposure and Perception" 21:28 and in a nutshell... what it is... is that 21:30 most of us think that success in the business world 21:33 in our organizations 21:34 is strictly based on how well we perform... 21:36 how well we do the job... 21:38 and make no mistake... 21:39 that is critical... that's number one... 21:41 I'd say that's 50 percent of the equation... 21:43 the other 50 percent 21:45 is made up of what I call 25 percent exposure... 21:48 "who do you know... 21:50 what do you know... and who knows you... " 21:52 and then perception... "what is your brand... 21:55 what are you known for... " 21:57 and where a lot of us fail is 21:59 that we manage performance quite well... 22:01 but we don't do the other two... 22:03 and what I tell people all the time is... 22:05 "Performance may be the key, but it's exposure and perception 22:09 that unlock the door to your future... " 22:11 So, how can you... 22:13 and I think that's great... great information... 22:15 how can you increase exposure, you're in the Corporate World... 22:21 and... how do you then... increase your exposure 22:26 within that context? 22:27 Yeah... that's a great question 22:29 and the number one thing I tell people to do 22:32 is to use "Thought Leadership" 22:33 find ways to bring creativity, 22:36 innovation and thought leadership to bear... 22:38 so, for example, most companies will have 22:40 Company Town Hall Meetings or Company meetings 22:43 where the Leaders will speak 22:44 and then there is a Q and A session, right? 22:46 Well, no one wants to be the first one 22:47 to raise their hand and ask a question... 22:49 well, that's an exposure opportunity 22:51 and so what I teach the folks that I mentor is... 22:53 "You go prepared to every business meeting 22:56 with two business-related, thought-provoking questions 22:59 to ask during Q and A... 23:00 because no one's going to raise their hand first... 23:02 and you'll get to ask that... and you'll demonstrate 23:04 'Thought Leadership' that's the first thing... " 23:06 the second thing is... "Always be well-read about your 23:09 industry and your career and leverage technology 23:12 if you see a great article on the internet... you know... 23:15 send it to your co-workers... send it to your boss... 23:17 send it to folks... who can, again, 23:20 demonstrate "Hey, this is a person who is 23:22 thinking about the business... 23:24 thinking about how to look at things differently... " 23:26 so those are some of the bigger ways to gain exposure 23:29 and then some of the more subtle ways, 23:31 and this is one of the things I did 23:32 horribly wrong in my career, was make sure to know 23:36 who the key players in your Organization are... 23:38 you know... who they are... 23:39 I had this crazy philosophy in mind 23:42 that if you didn't pay me for it I didn't do it, right... 23:44 and so, when there was a retirement party 23:47 for a beloved executive, if it was after hours... 23:49 I didn't go... what I didn't realize was that 23:52 that was an exposure opportunity... 23:53 because all the other senior leaders would be there... 23:56 you know, take advantage of it, 23:58 there was a time when I became the Chairman 24:00 for the Employee Giving Campaign with United Way... 24:02 people said, "Why would you do that?" 24:04 Well, it gave me exposure 24:06 to the Senior Leaders of the Organization... 24:08 and so, you know, at the end of the day... 24:10 you want to know 24:11 you want people to know who you are... 24:12 and that's how you get exposure... 24:14 and that leads to your brand and the perception to use... 24:17 and that's where I wanted to go to... 24:18 because that whole idea of branding and your brand 24:22 and the perception of you... 24:25 unpack that a little bit for us if you would... 24:27 Yeah, you know, the little secret is.. 24:31 we all have a brand whether we realize it or not 24:33 people know or think they know what to expect 24:36 when you walk into a room... and it's particularly important 24:40 for people of color... to understand... 24:42 "You are always on the clock" 24:44 you are always being watched... you are always being viewed... 24:47 and so, what are you known as, 24:49 are you known as that person who always brings creative ideas 24:52 or are you known as the person 24:53 who always comes late to meetings? 24:55 Are you known as the person who will go the extra mile... 24:59 or are you known as the person who'll do just enough to get by? 25:02 And you always have to manage that perception... 25:06 I know we were taught that 25:07 "Sticks and bones may break my bones 25:08 but words will never hurt me" but you've got to realize 25:10 that what people think of you in Corporate America 25:13 and organizations can have an impact... 25:15 You have to manage all three of those... 25:18 Absolutely, absolutely, so your performance... 25:21 your exposure... and perception 25:24 Yes... the P E P... PEP 25:27 Yeah... those things are critical pieces 25:30 if you could summarize... if you could summarize... 25:34 let's say you're talking to "you" as a teenager... 25:37 what would you say to "you" when you were a teenager? 25:42 Yeah, if I could go back and talk to "Teenage Keith" 25:46 I would say that there were five things 25:48 that will help you in your journey... young man, 25:51 the first is "Faith" 25:52 you have got to be a person of Faith... 25:54 Faith... first of all... in a Higher Power... 25:57 and for me... that's the Lord... 25:58 but also, faith in yourself, 26:01 and faith that "with Him... all things are possible" 26:03 because your faith will be tested... 26:05 the second thing I want to say is, "Maintain focus" 26:08 it's so easy to get distracted in this world 26:10 with 600 television stations and the internet... 26:13 but you have to stay focused 26:15 on all of those things that are important 26:17 and that are meaningful... 26:18 then I'd talk about "Fortitude" 26:20 you have to have that ability to stick through it 26:24 and to not give up... and to not quit 26:26 at the first sign of trouble or what have you... 26:29 I would talk about "Fearlessness" 26:31 not being afraid... 26:33 to take calculated risk... 26:34 you know, we weren't give a spirit of fear... 26:37 and so don't let that really engulf you... 26:39 and then I would say, 26:41 "understand and appreciate favor, praise and mercy" 26:45 there are things and opportunities I've gotten Yvonne 26:47 that I was not equipped for... when I got them... 26:49 but through God's grace, favor and mercy, 26:51 I was able to make it happen... 26:53 and so, those are the things I would tell a young man 26:55 if I could go back... 40 years ago... 26:59 Well, you know what Keith, what you have given, 27:02 is... you've passed on your legacy 27:05 of sharing and being transparent 27:09 and helping others... in their journey 27:12 in their Corporate journey... so I thank you... 27:16 thank you so much for being with us... 27:17 I can't believe our time is up... 27:19 Oh, thank you for having me so much... I enjoyed it... 27:22 And hopefully you'll come again. Any time, just say the word. 27:26 Awesome, awesome, thank you... 27:28 Well, that's the end of our Program for today... 27:31 You know, Keith really made some good points 27:34 and I really pray that 27:35 that you'll be able to internalize them 27:38 whether you're a minority or not... 27:41 these are success-oriented pointers... 27:44 that you can take and apply to your life... 27:48 so, I pray that these words have been 27:50 words of encouragement and enlightenment to you... 27:52 Well, that's the end of our Program for today... 27:55 Thanks so much for tuning in... 27:56 Join us next time... because you know what? 27:59 It just wouldn't be the same without you... |
Revised 2015-07-29