[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] how many of you grew up knowing exactly
how many of you grew up knowing exactly
how many of you grew up knowing exactly what you wanted to do some kids get to
what you wanted to do some kids get to
what you wanted to do some kids get to college and they’re lucky enough to have
college and they’re lucky enough to have
college and they’re lucky enough to have that all mapped out it’s in a
that all mapped out it’s in a
that all mapped out it’s in a spreadsheet they know when they’re going
spreadsheet they know when they’re going
spreadsheet they know when they’re going to get married they’re gonna have kids
to get married they’re gonna have kids
to get married they’re gonna have kids are going to move to what suburb we call
are going to move to what suburb we call
are going to move to what suburb we call them accountants for the rest of us it’s
them accountants for the rest of us it’s
them accountants for the rest of us it’s just not that clear the world that we
just not that clear the world that we
just not that clear the world that we live in tells us that we have to play it
live in tells us that we have to play it
live in tells us that we have to play it safe right we need a master plan what
safe right we need a master plan what
safe right we need a master plan what are you going to do in one year three
are you going to do in one year three
are you going to do in one year three years five years our corporate ecosystem
years five years our corporate ecosystem
years five years our corporate ecosystem still operates on this antiquated
still operates on this antiquated
still operates on this antiquated platform of predict accurately and plan
platform of predict accurately and plan
platform of predict accurately and plan accordingly but because of Technology
accordingly but because of Technology
accordingly but because of Technology the pace of business has accelerated and
the pace of business has accelerated and
the pace of business has accelerated and now you can’t be an expert for very long
we place a premium on education
we place a premium on education designations and being able to prove
designations and being able to prove
designations and being able to prove that you’ve done it before before we
that you’ve done it before before we
that you’ve done it before before we give you an opportunity right how many
give you an opportunity right how many
give you an opportunity right how many times have you heard
times have you heard
times have you heard well we hire for potential but I’d like
well we hire for potential but I’d like
well we hire for potential but I’d like to see the portfolio of all the examples
to see the portfolio of all the examples
to see the portfolio of all the examples where you’ve done exactly what we’re
where you’ve done exactly what we’re
where you’ve done exactly what we’re looking to hire you for my experience
looking to hire you for my experience
looking to hire you for my experience has been quite the opposite I had had a
has been quite the opposite I had had a
has been quite the opposite I had had a very unconventional career path I’ve had
very unconventional career path I’ve had
very unconventional career path I’ve had three different jobs and three unrelated
three different jobs and three unrelated
three different jobs and three unrelated industries and I’ve been pretty
industries and I’ve been pretty
industries and I’ve been pretty successful or so they tell me and they
successful or so they tell me and they
successful or so they tell me and they told me to say it today I’ve learned
told me to say it today I’ve learned
told me to say it today I’ve learned that being an agile leader is a concept
that being an agile leader is a concept
that being an agile leader is a concept where you prepare yourself for the
where you prepare yourself for the
where you prepare yourself for the unpredictable you can’t always know what
unpredictable you can’t always know what
unpredictable you can’t always know what comes your way and you can’t always have
comes your way and you can’t always have
comes your way and you can’t always have the answers so how do you do it how do
the answers so how do you do it how do
the answers so how do you do it how do you prepare for the disruptions that you
you prepare for the disruptions that you
you prepare for the disruptions that you know life will give you now bear with me
know life will give you now bear with me
know life will give you now bear with me I promised I wasn’t going to give a
I promised I wasn’t going to give a
I promised I wasn’t going to give a nerdy talk but there’s some definitions
nerdy talk but there’s some definitions
nerdy talk but there’s some definitions we have to cover a jali leadership is a
we have to cover a jali leadership is a
we have to cover a jali leadership is a style of leadership that’s
style of leadership that’s
style of leadership that’s entrepreneurial the old-school predictin
entrepreneurial the old-school predictin
entrepreneurial the old-school predictin plan relied on people to be able to
plan relied on people to be able to
plan relied on people to be able to dictate and lead right if you could
dictate and lead right if you could
dictate and lead right if you could predict what was going to happen you
predict what was going to happen you
predict what was going to happen you knew how to boss people around but in
knew how to boss people around but in
knew how to boss people around but in this new environment you need to be able
this new environment you need to be able
this new environment you need to be able to act agile a with mental agility
to act agile a with mental agility
to act agile a with mental agility so I’ve learned that you need three
so I’ve learned that you need three
so I’ve learned that you need three things three components in agile
things three components in agile
things three components in agile leadership one you need an iterative
leadership one you need an iterative
leadership one you need an iterative process two you need to build a tribe of
process two you need to build a tribe of
process two you need to build a tribe of resources and three you need to get
resources and three you need to get
resources and three you need to get uncomfortable daily push yourself
uncomfortable daily push yourself
uncomfortable daily push yourself outside your comfort zone so what is an
outside your comfort zone so what is an
outside your comfort zone so what is an iterative process besides being really
iterative process besides being really
iterative process besides being really fun to say I’ve learned that an
fun to say I’ve learned that an
fun to say I’ve learned that an iterative process for me has six
iterative process for me has six
iterative process for me has six components and then we’re done with the
components and then we’re done with the
components and then we’re done with the math one in any environment in any
math one in any environment in any
math one in any environment in any business in any industry create a
business in any industry create a
business in any industry create a problem statement build a hypothesis set
problem statement build a hypothesis set
problem statement build a hypothesis set out to prove your hypothesis disprove
out to prove your hypothesis disprove
out to prove your hypothesis disprove your hypothesis sometimes for architect
your hypothesis sometimes for architect
your hypothesis sometimes for architect a solution and five reach out to that
a solution and five reach out to that
a solution and five reach out to that tribe of resources anytime you have
tribe of resources anytime you have
tribe of resources anytime you have questions need help introductions
questions need help introductions
questions need help introductions outsource knowledge and when it’s all
outsource knowledge and when it’s all
outsource knowledge and when it’s all said and done step back reflect on how
said and done step back reflect on how
said and done step back reflect on how it went
it went
it went refine could you’ve done it better did
refine could you’ve done it better did
refine could you’ve done it better did you do it well how do you keep doing it
you do it well how do you keep doing it
you do it well how do you keep doing it and repeat so what’s a tribe of
and repeat so what’s a tribe of
and repeat so what’s a tribe of resources a tribe of resources are a
resources a tribe of resources are a
resources a tribe of resources are a group of people that you have in your
group of people that you have in your
group of people that you have in your pocket at any given time not literally
pocket at any given time not literally
pocket at any given time not literally but they’re people you meet starts when
but they’re people you meet starts when
but they’re people you meet starts when you’re little on a playground when you
you’re little on a playground when you
you’re little on a playground when you go to school the people that you’re
go to school the people that you’re
go to school the people that you’re sitting next to if you’ve had a chance
sitting next to if you’ve had a chance
sitting next to if you’ve had a chance to talk to them you never know when
to talk to them you never know when
to talk to them you never know when you’re going to meet somebody
you’re going to meet somebody
you’re going to meet somebody essentially you meet them and you say
essentially you meet them and you say
essentially you meet them and you say wow you are super cool I think I can
wow you are super cool I think I can
wow you are super cool I think I can learn something from you I might even be
learn something from you I might even be
learn something from you I might even be able to teach you something I want you
able to teach you something I want you
able to teach you something I want you in my tribe and the really important
in my tribe and the really important
in my tribe and the really important component of this piece is that you help
component of this piece is that you help
component of this piece is that you help them you’re loyal to them you protect
them you’re loyal to them you protect
them you’re loyal to them you protect them you push them you challenge them
them you push them you challenge them
them you push them you challenge them and you help them daily my absolute
and you help them daily my absolute
and you help them daily my absolute favorite one to hate but love because
favorite one to hate but love because
favorite one to hate but love because this is a talk that I’m giving and I’m
this is a talk that I’m giving and I’m
this is a talk that I’m giving and I’m telling you that it’s important to do
telling you that it’s important to do
telling you that it’s important to do these things is pushing yourself outside
these things is pushing yourself outside
these things is pushing yourself outside your comfort zone now I’m going to give
your comfort zone now I’m going to give
your comfort zone now I’m going to give you a hypothetical example of this one
you a hypothetical example of this one
you a hypothetical example of this one because I’m sure you’ve all you’re all
because I’m sure you’ve all you’re all
because I’m sure you’ve all you’re all familiar with your own comfort zone and
familiar with your own comfort zone and
familiar with your own comfort zone and pushing yourself outside it but let’s
pushing yourself outside it but let’s
pushing yourself outside it but let’s pretend for a minute that you’re helping
pretend for a minute that you’re helping
pretend for a minute that you’re helping a group of really smart students put
a group of really smart students put
a group of really smart students put together a TEDx and you’re helping them
together a TEDx and you’re helping them
together a TEDx and you’re helping them with some sponsorship grid and some
with some sponsorship grid and some
with some sponsorship grid and some introductions and things and then one of
introductions and things and then one of
introductions and things and then one of them approaches you and says would you
them approaches you and says would you
them approaches you and says would you can
can
can that are talking no I was I thought
that are talking no I was I thought
that are talking no I was I thought we’re doing like a corporate advisory
we’re doing like a corporate advisory
we’re doing like a corporate advisory thing like I thought we had some and
thing like I thought we had some and
thing like I thought we had some and then all of a sudden everything inside
then all of a sudden everything inside
then all of a sudden everything inside your body like contracts and you’re just
your body like contracts and you’re just
your body like contracts and you’re just like that sounds terrible I mean you
like that sounds terrible I mean you
like that sounds terrible I mean you speak your industry all the time you’re
speak your industry all the time you’re
speak your industry all the time you’re always presenting on economics and
always presenting on economics and
always presenting on economics and things like that and I’m you don’t know
things like that and I’m you don’t know
things like that and I’m you don’t know what that’s like but TEDx that’s crazy
what that’s like but TEDx that’s crazy
what that’s like but TEDx that’s crazy and then somewhere inside you all of a
and then somewhere inside you all of a
and then somewhere inside you all of a sudden you hear this weird voice and
sudden you hear this weird voice and
sudden you hear this weird voice and it’s like I would love the opportunity
it’s like I would love the opportunity
it’s like I would love the opportunity to give back to my community you’re like
to give back to my community you’re like
to give back to my community you’re like wow whoa
wow whoa
wow whoa which is that bad and pretty soon you’re
which is that bad and pretty soon you’re
which is that bad and pretty soon you’re on stage giving a talk but that’s okay
on stage giving a talk but that’s okay
on stage giving a talk but that’s okay because as terrified as you are you go
because as terrified as you are you go
because as terrified as you are you go back to your process and you ask your
back to your process and you ask your
back to your process and you ask your tribe and they’re like yeah you should
tribe and they’re like yeah you should
tribe and they’re like yeah you should totally do it and like I can’t believe
totally do it and like I can’t believe
totally do it and like I can’t believe they’re in my tribe and then you’re
they’re in my tribe and then you’re
they’re in my tribe and then you’re doing a talk but the bottom line is you
doing a talk but the bottom line is you
doing a talk but the bottom line is you stand in front of individuals every day
stand in front of individuals every day
stand in front of individuals every day right leadership is about leading within
right leadership is about leading within
right leadership is about leading within yourself and so you know you have a
yourself and so you know you have a
yourself and so you know you have a process you have your tribe you push
process you have your tribe you push
process you have your tribe you push yourself outside your boundaries but it
yourself outside your boundaries but it
yourself outside your boundaries but it doesn’t really work like what’s the
doesn’t really work like what’s the
doesn’t really work like what’s the point I have learned that if you have
point I have learned that if you have
point I have learned that if you have all of these things if you do these
all of these things if you do these
all of these things if you do these things if you’re intentional about your
things if you’re intentional about your
things if you’re intentional about your approach what you approach becomes far
approach what you approach becomes far
approach what you approach becomes far less important than how you approach it
less important than how you approach it
less important than how you approach it because that’s the key if you’re
because that’s the key if you’re
because that’s the key if you’re confident in how you’ll approach
confident in how you’ll approach
confident in how you’ll approach something even though you don’t know the
something even though you don’t know the
something even though you don’t know the answers you’ve never done it before then
answers you’ve never done it before then
answers you’ve never done it before then doesn’t matter whether or not you’ve
doesn’t matter whether or not you’ve
doesn’t matter whether or not you’ve done it before right unless you’re
done it before right unless you’re
done it before right unless you’re looking for a cardiac surgeon there are
looking for a cardiac surgeon there are
looking for a cardiac surgeon there are some exceptions to this process so the
some exceptions to this process so the
some exceptions to this process so the nerdy parts over thanks for bearing with
nerdy parts over thanks for bearing with
nerdy parts over thanks for bearing with me and I appreciate the left the nice
me and I appreciate the left the nice
me and I appreciate the left the nice part is my personal story right so in
part is my personal story right so in
part is my personal story right so in theory it sounds great an execution is
theory it sounds great an execution is
theory it sounds great an execution is it possible my story starts when I was
it possible my story starts when I was
it possible my story starts when I was four I used to play adult all of the
four I used to play adult all of the
four I used to play adult all of the time it’s very strange child few friends
time it’s very strange child few friends
time it’s very strange child few friends and I would I read like crazy and I fell
and I would I read like crazy and I fell
and I would I read like crazy and I fell in love with this idea of being an
in love with this idea of being an
in love with this idea of being an attorney I would line my dolls up in the
attorney I would line my dolls up in the
attorney I would line my dolls up in the courtroom and I was constantly you know
courtroom and I was constantly you know
courtroom and I was constantly you know winning everything I think and pretty
winning everything I think and pretty
winning everything I think and pretty soon you know that wasn’t enough and so
soon you know that wasn’t enough and so
soon you know that wasn’t enough and so then I made partner in my mind by 30
then I made partner in my mind by 30
then I made partner in my mind by 30 because I thought at four
because I thought at four
because I thought at four 26 years as possible and that wasn’t
26 years as possible and that wasn’t
26 years as possible and that wasn’t enough so then I thought politics
enough so then I thought politics
enough so then I thought politics because I was experiencing out with my
because I was experiencing out with my
because I was experiencing out with my parents and discipline so I thought I
parents and discipline so I thought I
parents and discipline so I thought I had what it took pretty soon I was
had what it took pretty soon I was
had what it took pretty soon I was everyday just imagining that I was
everyday just imagining that I was
everyday just imagining that I was changing the world and my dolls were
changing the world and my dolls were
changing the world and my dolls were never ever ever bored they were never
never ever ever bored they were never
never ever ever bored they were never bored my sister she hated playing with
bored my sister she hated playing with
bored my sister she hated playing with me but my dolls they were voters so it
me but my dolls they were voters so it
me but my dolls they were voters so it really counted so fast forward right
really counted so fast forward right
really counted so fast forward right four years old you’ve got a plan
four years old you’ve got a plan
four years old you’ve got a plan adults would ask me all the time like
adults would ask me all the time like
adults would ask me all the time like would you want to be able to be a
would you want to be able to be a
would you want to be able to be a ballerina you want to be a princess I’d
ballerina you want to be a princess I’d
ballerina you want to be a princess I’d be like whoa I don’t I don’t think so I
be like whoa I don’t I don’t think so I
be like whoa I don’t I don’t think so I feel better for these adults like have a
feel better for these adults like have a
feel better for these adults like have a very specific career plan I want to be a
very specific career plan I want to be a
very specific career plan I want to be a attorney I want to be partnered by 30 I
attorney I want to be partnered by 30 I
attorney I want to be partnered by 30 I want to be a two-term governor and then
want to be a two-term governor and then
want to be a two-term governor and then I’m gonna end up in the Oval Office and
I’m gonna end up in the Oval Office and
I’m gonna end up in the Oval Office and they would look at me and mostly out of
they would look at me and mostly out of
they would look at me and mostly out of concern for my parents and Pat me on the
concern for my parents and Pat me on the
concern for my parents and Pat me on the head which only fueled the fire for me
head which only fueled the fire for me
head which only fueled the fire for me like my commitment to my plan I knew
like my commitment to my plan I knew
like my commitment to my plan I knew what I was going to do five six seven
what I was going to do five six seven
what I was going to do five six seven eight move forward senior year in
eight move forward senior year in
eight move forward senior year in college when the inevitable disruption
college when the inevitable disruption
college when the inevitable disruption occurs and for me it was a car accident
occurs and for me it was a car accident
occurs and for me it was a car accident on March 28th 2004 I was involved in a
on March 28th 2004 I was involved in a
on March 28th 2004 I was involved in a car accident I lost my entire left
car accident I lost my entire left
car accident I lost my entire left eyelid and my vision in my left eye and
eyelid and my vision in my left eye and
eyelid and my vision in my left eye and a handful of other injuries that have
a handful of other injuries that have
a handful of other injuries that have become greater as the story goes on I
become greater as the story goes on I
become greater as the story goes on I had no idea how long it would be for me
had no idea how long it would be for me
had no idea how long it would be for me to get back on my feet the doctors
to get back on my feet the doctors
to get back on my feet the doctors didn’t know how long it would take to
didn’t know how long it would take to
didn’t know how long it would take to reconstruct my eyelid which was the
reconstruct my eyelid which was the
reconstruct my eyelid which was the point of most of the surgeries in order
point of most of the surgeries in order
point of most of the surgeries in order for me to stand my mom’s health
for me to stand my mom’s health
for me to stand my mom’s health insurance I had to stay a full-time
insurance I had to stay a full-time
insurance I had to stay a full-time college student as many of you imagine
college student as many of you imagine
college student as many of you imagine being in school for longer than you have
being in school for longer than you have
being in school for longer than you have to without a point other than surgery
to without a point other than surgery
to without a point other than surgery which an eyelid is important so I
which an eyelid is important so I
which an eyelid is important so I suppose that’s a different point it is
suppose that’s a different point it is
suppose that’s a different point it is exhausting so three years later I
exhausting so three years later I
exhausting so three years later I finally was eligible to graduate while I
finally was eligible to graduate while I
finally was eligible to graduate while I was eligible to graduate a while before
was eligible to graduate a while before
was eligible to graduate a while before but I could finally graduate and I was
but I could finally graduate and I was
but I could finally graduate and I was sitting there I’m pretty sure I sprinted
sitting there I’m pretty sure I sprinted
sitting there I’m pretty sure I sprinted across the stage to get my fake diploma
across the stage to get my fake diploma
across the stage to get my fake diploma they mail it is very disappointing
they mail it is very disappointing
they mail it is very disappointing experience
experience
experience and at the party when I’m talking
and at the party when I’m talking
and at the party when I’m talking everybody and I’m so excited right I
everybody and I’m so excited right I
everybody and I’m so excited right I finally have my diploma I’m excited
finally have my diploma I’m excited
finally have my diploma I’m excited except I was exhausted I didn’t know
except I was exhausted I didn’t know
except I was exhausted I didn’t know what I wanted to do next law school
what I wanted to do next law school
what I wanted to do next law school wasn’t even on my radar anymore because
wasn’t even on my radar anymore because
wasn’t even on my radar anymore because after seven years of full-time work
after seven years of full-time work
after seven years of full-time work full-time school and then three over the
full-time school and then three over the
full-time school and then three over the last seven years were full-time work
last seven years were full-time work
last seven years were full-time work full-time school full-time surgery I
full-time school full-time surgery I
full-time school full-time surgery I don’t want to go to law school if
don’t want to go to law school if
don’t want to go to law school if somebody gave me a homework assignment I
somebody gave me a homework assignment I
somebody gave me a homework assignment I was gonna throw the book at him like I
was gonna throw the book at him like I
was gonna throw the book at him like I was done so they asked me what do you
was done so they asked me what do you
was done so they asked me what do you want to do what do you want to be and I
want to do what do you want to be and I
want to do what do you want to be and I thought like I just really have no idea
thought like I just really have no idea
thought like I just really have no idea my favorite what do you do with your
my favorite what do you do with your
my favorite what do you do with your liberal arts degree like well it’s 2008
liberal arts degree like well it’s 2008
liberal arts degree like well it’s 2008 what do you think I should do
what do you think I should do
what do you think I should do everyone’s hiring so it’s an awesome
everyone’s hiring so it’s an awesome
everyone’s hiring so it’s an awesome time to graduate from college so I
time to graduate from college so I
time to graduate from college so I worked at a restaurant downtown and I
worked at a restaurant downtown and I
worked at a restaurant downtown and I had access to all these really
had access to all these really
had access to all these really successful people I used to call them
successful people I used to call them
successful people I used to call them the Milwaukee Business Journal people
the Milwaukee Business Journal people
the Milwaukee Business Journal people until I met a lot of them and they’re
until I met a lot of them and they’re
until I met a lot of them and they’re even more awesome now and I thought to
even more awesome now and I thought to
even more awesome now and I thought to myself I bet if I talked to these people
myself I bet if I talked to these people
myself I bet if I talked to these people I could figure it out and this was the
I could figure it out and this was the
I could figure it out and this was the birth of what I now call my own
birth of what I now call my own
birth of what I now call my own iterative process or what people anybody
iterative process or what people anybody
iterative process or what people anybody can use it right so I created a problem
can use it right so I created a problem
can use it right so I created a problem statement number one I need a job
statement number one I need a job
statement number one I need a job number two if I interview all these
number two if I interview all these
number two if I interview all these really successful people that seem to
really successful people that seem to
really successful people that seem to have everything figured out I might be
have everything figured out I might be
have everything figured out I might be able to find a job 3 prove it I had to
able to find a job 3 prove it I had to
able to find a job 3 prove it I had to actually go interview all these really
actually go interview all these really
actually go interview all these really successful people and after asking them
successful people and after asking them
successful people and after asking them all sorts of questions what do you do
all sorts of questions what do you do
all sorts of questions what do you do how’d you get there do you like it would
how’d you get there do you like it would
how’d you get there do you like it would you recommend it would you recommend me
you recommend it would you recommend me
you recommend it would you recommend me for it no
for I architected a solution I’ll and in
for I architected a solution I’ll and in my very first job I was the print agent
my very first job I was the print agent
my very first job I was the print agent assistant at a full at Ford models
assistant at a full at Ford models
assistant at a full at Ford models international modeling agency and as a
international modeling agency and as a
international modeling agency and as a history sociology major I was the
history sociology major I was the
history sociology major I was the perfect fit because I knew nothing about
perfect fit because I knew nothing about
perfect fit because I knew nothing about modeling I was a jeans and t-shirt kid I
modeling I was a jeans and t-shirt kid I
modeling I was a jeans and t-shirt kid I loved pizza I didn’t know about this
loved pizza I didn’t know about this
loved pizza I didn’t know about this like all his Fitness stuff they were
like all his Fitness stuff they were
like all his Fitness stuff they were talking about and and I thought well you
talking about and and I thought well you
talking about and and I thought well you know what I’m going to be the best print
know what I’m going to be the best print
know what I’m going to be the best print agent assistant they’ve ever hired and
agent assistant they’ve ever hired and
agent assistant they’ve ever hired and so I became a professional sponge and I
so I became a professional sponge and I
so I became a professional sponge and I think I asked like a hundred questions a
think I asked like a hundred questions a
think I asked like a hundred questions a day and pretty quickly I learned that
day and pretty quickly I learned that
day and pretty quickly I learned that anything you can predict that can go
anything you can predict that can go
anything you can predict that can go wrong on a photoshoot will go wrong in a
wrong on a photoshoot will go wrong in a
wrong on a photoshoot will go wrong in a photo shoot and this is where I came
photo shoot and this is where I came
photo shoot and this is where I came into this experience of agility and
into this experience of agility and
into this experience of agility and constantly having to be on your feet and
constantly having to be on your feet and
constantly having to be on your feet and thinking quickly and I thought to myself
thinking quickly and I thought to myself
thinking quickly and I thought to myself boy this sounds a lot like serving
boy this sounds a lot like serving
boy this sounds a lot like serving corporate world isn’t really much
corporate world isn’t really much
corporate world isn’t really much different than a restaurant one you have
different than a restaurant one you have
different than a restaurant one you have to figure out what people want
to figure out what people want
to figure out what people want ie read their minds – you have to
ie read their minds – you have to
ie read their minds – you have to deliver it and then you have to figure
deliver it and then you have to figure
deliver it and then you have to figure out when they want it right ie
out when they want it right ie
out when they want it right ie yesterday and when things go wrong you
yesterday and when things go wrong you
yesterday and when things go wrong you just fix it no excuses they don’t care
just fix it no excuses they don’t care
just fix it no excuses they don’t care just fix it and never in that process is
just fix it and never in that process is
just fix it and never in that process is it ever about you
it ever about you
it ever about you so I work to the modeling agency for a
so I work to the modeling agency for a
so I work to the modeling agency for a couple years and I loved it and I had a
couple years and I loved it and I had a
couple years and I loved it and I had a lot of fun but then I made in a very
lot of fun but then I made in a very
lot of fun but then I made in a very important discovery I learned that you
important discovery I learned that you
important discovery I learned that you could get a paycheck that had a comma in
could get a paycheck that had a comma in
could get a paycheck that had a comma in it
and I was very excited about this
and I was very excited about this punctuation had never been so important
so I interviewed several different
so I interviewed several different companies and I realized without a
companies and I realized without a
companies and I realized without a technical degree the really only place I
technical degree the really only place I
technical degree the really only place I can make some money was to get into
can make some money was to get into
can make some money was to get into sales so I interviewed with with a
sales so I interviewed with with a
sales so I interviewed with with a information technology company a
information technology company a
information technology company a management consulting firm and they
management consulting firm and they
management consulting firm and they asked me a handful of questions and I
asked me a handful of questions and I
asked me a handful of questions and I didn’t have a business background
didn’t have a business background
didn’t have a business background obviously wasn’t a programmer I didn’t
obviously wasn’t a programmer I didn’t
obviously wasn’t a programmer I didn’t have any experience and software but I
have any experience and software but I
have any experience and software but I said you know I worked full-time going
said you know I worked full-time going
said you know I worked full-time going through all these surgeries I didn’t
through all these surgeries I didn’t
through all these surgeries I didn’t know anything about modeling I increased
know anything about modeling I increased
know anything about modeling I increased revenue there during the middle of a
revenue there during the middle of a
revenue there during the middle of a credit crisis I’ll figure it out so they
credit crisis I’ll figure it out so they
credit crisis I’ll figure it out so they took a chance on me and they hired me
took a chance on me and they hired me
took a chance on me and they hired me day one I’m super excited sitting in a
day one I’m super excited sitting in a
day one I’m super excited sitting in a conference room in walks this guy he’s
conference room in walks this guy he’s
conference room in walks this guy he’s got a magic marker and a whiteboard I
got a magic marker and a whiteboard I
got a magic marker and a whiteboard I went through this very extensive full
went through this very extensive full
went through this very extensive full day of training to become an expert in
day of training to become an expert in
day of training to become an expert in this field so it writes everything out
this field so it writes everything out
this field so it writes everything out this is how software started by Lowell
this is how software started by Lowell
this is how software started by Lowell and I’m like oh okay got it got it
and I’m like oh okay got it got it
and I’m like oh okay got it got it uh sure is me to my cue now I have a
uh sure is me to my cue now I have a
uh sure is me to my cue now I have a phone I have a laptop and I have 600
phone I have a laptop and I have 600
phone I have a laptop and I have 600 companies to call cold call and a lofty
companies to call cold call and a lofty
companies to call cold call and a lofty sales goal so a couple weeks go by and
sales goal so a couple weeks go by and
sales goal so a couple weeks go by and I’m calling people and calling people
I’m calling people and calling people
I’m calling people and calling people with this script and I have no idea what
with this script and I have no idea what
with this script and I have no idea what I’m talking about nobody’s answering
I’m talking about nobody’s answering
I’m talking about nobody’s answering voicemails or even more awkward I just
voicemails or even more awkward I just
voicemails or even more awkward I just no idea was going on and then if a
no idea was going on and then if a
no idea was going on and then if a person did answer they’d ask me a
person did answer they’d ask me a
person did answer they’d ask me a question I was like uh google quickly
question I was like uh google quickly
question I was like uh google quickly quickly I don’t know we should get
quickly I don’t know we should get
quickly I don’t know we should get together in person to talk about this it
together in person to talk about this it
together in person to talk about this it was awful
was awful
was awful I felt so stupid and so clueless and
I felt so stupid and so clueless and
I felt so stupid and so clueless and then pretty soon I thought to myself why
then pretty soon I thought to myself why
then pretty soon I thought to myself why aren’t you using your own process why
aren’t you using your own process why
aren’t you using your own process why don’t you use the same tools that you
don’t you use the same tools that you
don’t you use the same tools that you used to get your first job to become
used to get your first job to become
used to get your first job to become really good at your first job in your
really good at your first job in your
really good at your first job in your second job and then I called all my
second job and then I called all my
second job and then I called all my former clients from the modeling agency
former clients from the modeling agency
former clients from the modeling agency and I said you know I really miss
and I said you know I really miss
and I said you know I really miss working with you because I knew what I
working with you because I knew what I
working with you because I knew what I was doing and this new job I don’t
was doing and this new job I don’t
was doing and this new job I don’t really know what I’m doing so would you
really know what I’m doing so would you
really know what I’m doing so would you mind introduce me to someone in your IT
mind introduce me to someone in your IT
mind introduce me to someone in your IT department because I’d like to learn how
department because I’d like to learn how
department because I’d like to learn how technology drives your business function
technology drives your business function
technology drives your business function I know how your business works and I
I know how your business works and I
I know how your business works and I know how you know I understand the brand
know how you know I understand the brand
know how you know I understand the brand and stuff so let’s make that happen
and stuff so let’s make that happen
and stuff so let’s make that happen and they did
and they did
and they did and pretty soon I could ditch all this
and pretty soon I could ditch all this
and pretty soon I could ditch all this cold calling nonsense which is
cold calling nonsense which is
cold calling nonsense which is incredibly character-building but a very
incredibly character-building but a very
incredibly character-building but a very high-cost and I was getting meetings and
high-cost and I was getting meetings and
high-cost and I was getting meetings and I was getting opportunity then I learned
I was getting opportunity then I learned
I was getting opportunity then I learned the business and soon I reappropriation
also help and give back so I was excited
also help and give back so I was excited I had to come in my paycheck starting to
I had to come in my paycheck starting to
I had to come in my paycheck starting to think about maybe adding a comma but
think about maybe adding a comma but
think about maybe adding a comma but that was years away and I’m at the top
that was years away and I’m at the top
that was years away and I’m at the top of my game at 28 years old
of my game at 28 years old
of my game at 28 years old pretty soon I’m at a business event and
pretty soon I’m at a business event and
pretty soon I’m at a business event and I run into a woman she’s a works at an
I run into a woman she’s a works at an
I run into a woman she’s a works at an investment firm and she asked me what I
investment firm and she asked me what I
investment firm and she asked me what I did for a living I asked her how much
did for a living I asked her how much
did for a living I asked her how much she loved technology her eyes glazed
she loved technology her eyes glazed
she loved technology her eyes glazed over so I said I help people get things
over so I said I help people get things
over so I said I help people get things that they don’t have and she said oh
that they don’t have and she said oh
that they don’t have and she said oh well what are your career plans and I
well what are your career plans and I
well what are your career plans and I thought to myself well I haven’t really
thought to myself well I haven’t really
thought to myself well I haven’t really thought about it since I was four and
thought about it since I was four and
thought about it since I was four and she said what do you you know what do
she said what do you you know what do
she said what do you you know what do you want to do with your life and I
you want to do with your life and I
you want to do with your life and I didn’t know her very well so I didn’t
didn’t know her very well so I didn’t
didn’t know her very well so I didn’t mention the world’s word or the words
mention the world’s word or the words
mention the world’s word or the words world domination quite yet but I she got
world domination quite yet but I she got
world domination quite yet but I she got me thinking and so she asked me to come
me thinking and so she asked me to come
me thinking and so she asked me to come over to her office and have a cup of
over to her office and have a cup of
over to her office and have a cup of coffee so I went to her office I’ve
coffee so I went to her office I’ve
coffee so I went to her office I’ve always been an opportunity enthusiast
always been an opportunity enthusiast
always been an opportunity enthusiast and pretty soon it was clear that she
and pretty soon it was clear that she
and pretty soon it was clear that she was looking to hire a junior partner to
was looking to hire a junior partner to
was looking to hire a junior partner to her practice to be her eventual
her practice to be her eventual
her practice to be her eventual successor of a ten year plus plan and I
successor of a ten year plus plan and I
successor of a ten year plus plan and I thought wow in this moment in time
thought wow in this moment in time
thought wow in this moment in time everything I’ve worked so hard is
everything I’ve worked so hard is
everything I’ve worked so hard is validated I haven’t known what I was
validated I haven’t known what I was
validated I haven’t known what I was going to do things have have come to me
going to do things have have come to me
going to do things have have come to me and I’ve worked incredibly hard I’ve
and I’ve worked incredibly hard I’ve
and I’ve worked incredibly hard I’ve used this process I’ve asked for help
used this process I’ve asked for help
used this process I’ve asked for help and now this person I mean because this
and now this person I mean because this
and now this person I mean because this is like high finance right this person
is like high finance right this person
is like high finance right this person is asking me to take this jump and take
is asking me to take this jump and take
is asking me to take this jump and take this risk and I left her office thinking
this risk and I left her office thinking
this risk and I left her office thinking oh but god you have to be a financial
oh but god you have to be a financial
oh but god you have to be a financial adviser that sounds awful technology
adviser that sounds awful technology
adviser that sounds awful technology that’s really cool but the more I
that’s really cool but the more I
that’s really cool but the more I thought about it the more that I learned
thought about it the more that I learned
thought about it the more that I learned about this job seven months I did my due
about this job seven months I did my due
about this job seven months I did my due diligence in learning what this
diligence in learning what this
diligence in learning what this opportunity would entail
opportunity would entail
opportunity would entail I thought
I thought
I thought if you use the same process that got you
if you use the same process that got you
if you use the same process that got you your first job I got that made you
your first job I got that made you
your first job I got that made you better at your job your second job etc
better at your job your second job etc
better at your job your second job etc why couldn’t you learn finance and then
why couldn’t you learn finance and then
why couldn’t you learn finance and then this intriguing piece to that like maybe
this intriguing piece to that like maybe
this intriguing piece to that like maybe you could like give the industry a
you could like give the industry a
you could like give the industry a little facelift so I took the job and it
little facelift so I took the job and it
little facelift so I took the job and it was very difficult as I packed up my
was very difficult as I packed up my
was very difficult as I packed up my office from new resources and all the
office from new resources and all the
office from new resources and all the spreadsheets of like you know you’re
spreadsheets of like you know you’re
spreadsheets of like you know you’re killing it put him away because I’m
killing it put him away because I’m
killing it put him away because I’m going to see that for a long time and I
going to see that for a long time and I
going to see that for a long time and I thought to myself are you making the
thought to myself are you making the
thought to myself are you making the right decision are you really going to
right decision are you really going to
right decision are you really going to be able to do this before fear could run
be able to do this before fear could run
be able to do this before fear could run wild and the insecurities could control
wild and the insecurities could control
wild and the insecurities could control me I built a transition plan my problem
me I built a transition plan my problem
me I built a transition plan my problem statement was I didn’t know a lot about
statement was I didn’t know a lot about
statement was I didn’t know a lot about investments my due diligence or my build
investments my due diligence or my build
investments my due diligence or my build the hypothesis interview everybody I
the hypothesis interview everybody I
the hypothesis interview everybody I could get my hands on for the first two
could get my hands on for the first two
could get my hands on for the first two years I conducted 3,000 discovery
years I conducted 3,000 discovery
years I conducted 3,000 discovery meetings I met with subject matter
meetings I met with subject matter
meetings I met with subject matter experts I met with individuals ask them
experts I met with individuals ask them
experts I met with individuals ask them what they loved about their advisor if
what they loved about their advisor if
what they loved about their advisor if they didn’t like their relationship did
they didn’t like their relationship did
they didn’t like their relationship did they need an advisor by chance and
they need an advisor by chance and
they need an advisor by chance and pretty soon I started to fill in the
pretty soon I started to fill in the
pretty soon I started to fill in the blanks and build a framework and I
blanks and build a framework and I
blanks and build a framework and I realized again that no matter what
realized again that no matter what
realized again that no matter what environment you work in if you take the
environment you work in if you take the
environment you work in if you take the risk and you figure it out all you need
risk and you figure it out all you need
risk and you figure it out all you need is your process your tribe and to push
is your process your tribe and to push
is your process your tribe and to push yourself outside your comfort zone
yourself outside your comfort zone
yourself outside your comfort zone because working in a very top elite firm
because working in a very top elite firm
because working in a very top elite firm with people that have Ivy League degrees
with people that have Ivy League degrees
with people that have Ivy League degrees like ornaments on a holiday tree it’s
like ornaments on a holiday tree it’s
like ornaments on a holiday tree it’s okay you can always learn right so it’s
okay you can always learn right so it’s
okay you can always learn right so it’s been three years since I’ve been at
been three years since I’ve been at
been three years since I’ve been at Baird and I love it it’s an incredible
Baird and I love it it’s an incredible
Baird and I love it it’s an incredible opportunity and I think to myself what’s
opportunity and I think to myself what’s
opportunity and I think to myself what’s next hopefully not another job for a
next hopefully not another job for a
next hopefully not another job for a very long time we’ve had it with that
very long time we’ve had it with that
very long time we’ve had it with that but why is it relevant why does it
but why is it relevant why does it
but why is it relevant why does it matter to have a process to use your
matter to have a process to use your
matter to have a process to use your people right because agile leadership is
people right because agile leadership is
people right because agile leadership is this concept where you lead from within
this concept where you lead from within
this concept where you lead from within you get to know yourself you get
you get to know yourself you get
you get to know yourself you get confident you’re fearless you take care
confident you’re fearless you take care
confident you’re fearless you take care of people in your life your tribe and
of people in your life your tribe and
of people in your life your tribe and you protect and you help each other and
you protect and you help each other and
you protect and you help each other and if you push yourself outside your
if you push yourself outside your
if you push yourself outside your comfort zone you’re
comfort zone you’re
comfort zone you’re always prepared for whatever comes your
always prepared for whatever comes your
always prepared for whatever comes your way and the next thing that comes your
way and the next thing that comes your
way and the next thing that comes your way I’m a little bit afraid because this
way I’m a little bit afraid because this
way I’m a little bit afraid because this is intimidating in itself so I don’t
is intimidating in itself so I don’t
is intimidating in itself so I don’t know what’s next but you’ll be able to
know what’s next but you’ll be able to
know what’s next but you’ll be able to handle it our community requires more of
handle it our community requires more of
handle it our community requires more of this type of leadership our business
this type of leadership our business
this type of leadership our business requires more this type of leadership
requires more this type of leadership
requires more this type of leadership when you leave today think to yourself
when you leave today think to yourself
when you leave today think to yourself what are the things that you are most
what are the things that you are most
what are the things that you are most afraid of what have you not done because
afraid of what have you not done because
afraid of what have you not done because I guarantee you everything you’ve done
I guarantee you everything you’ve done
I guarantee you everything you’ve done to this point has prepared you for this
to this point has prepared you for this
to this point has prepared you for this so challenge yourself and remember the
so challenge yourself and remember the
so challenge yourself and remember the nerdy parts the iterative process but
nerdy parts the iterative process but
nerdy parts the iterative process but glue the tribe of resources and to get
glue the tribe of resources and to get
glue the tribe of resources and to get outside your comfort zone thank you
outside your comfort zone thank you
outside your comfort zone thank you [Applause]
”
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