What Does It Take to Make Your Dream Come True?

People who work for Zingerman’s have a unique opportunity. If they work hard and diligently, they have a chance to make their dreams come true. Charlie Frank and Derrick Thomas are two examples of folks who have worked in Zingerman’s and then have been able to go on and start their own companies. Charlie's business is Zingerman’s Candy Manufactory and Derrick will be opening his own restaurant in Warren in August. Here are a few of the key lessons they have shared with me about their success:

1. The first step in making your dreams come true means putting your dream out there for others to hear. This may mean some support, but it also may open you up to skepticism, criticism, and doubt.

2. Making your dream come true takes dedication and sacrifice, but will inevitably require facing distinct difficulties and unique challenges. While some of these challenges may be external, most of them occur within oneself.

3. The dream can only be realized with the support of people who believe in you. It takes a team of believers and mentors working with you over a long period of time to make you an overnight success.

4. To fulfill your dream, you have to demonstrate not only drive, but humility and appreciation of those who help you.

5. Like any good dream, just when you think you have reached it and remember it, you realize it remains always just a little bit out of reach.

Link for video from 5/17/13 CEO Connect: 5/17/13 CEO Connect.

For more tips by Dr. Rob, you can check out Balanced Leadership in Unbalanced Times.

Coach Rob Pasick

Email: rob@leadersconnect.com

Website: www.robertpasick.com

Enjoy Every Day

The Ann Arbor community and the University of Michigan Healthcare System community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss in an automobile accident on Saturday of Dr. Steven Gradwohl, an extraordinary family physician and a wonderful human being. All his patients, including me, are in the state of shock.

No fancy tips from me this week. With Steven's death occurring just a few weeks after the loss of my sons’ dear friend, Carrie Holmes, I remind myself to try to follow their lead by:

1. Being a kind, loving, helpful person

2. And, as was written on the cover of Carrie's memorial service program, be "a friend               extraordinaire."

3. Enjoy every day

4. As the late, great Jeffrey Zaslow reminds us, be sure to say “I love you” everyday to your loved ones

A link to the FreePress article about Dr. Gradwohl: Dr. Gradwohl.

Coach Rob Pasick

Email: rob@leadersconnect.com

Website: www.robertpasick.com

Would You Do A Handstand For A 4 Year Old Customer?

Today as I was writing this column I witnessed an amazing example of going the extra mile for a customer, Matthew, one of the employees at the Zingerman's Coffee Company, did a handstand to delight a four-year-old customer who is taking gymnastics classes. If you want to learn more about the Zingerman’s business model, plan to attend Friday's CEO Connect. We will be learning about the Zingerman’s community of businesses from Amy Emberling of Zingerman's Bakehouse, Charlie Frank of Zingerman's Candy Manufactory, and Allen Leibowitz of  Zingerman's Coffee Company . They are each Managing Partners of one of the eight Zingerman's businesses. Zingerman's vision calls for 4 to 12 additional businesses  by 2020 (maybe you can start one). We are proud to have Zingerman's Coffee and Zingerman's Roadhouse as two of our sponsors of CEO Connect. Here are a few of Amy Emberling’s        leadership tips:

1. First set the vision of what you want to achieve and then work out the details later

2. Have a clear set of processes, but then create daring  and pleasing variations on the theme

3, Know that a business owner’s work is never over

4. Set limits, but know that limits create freedom

5. Never make a decision alone

6. Open your books to employees

7. Treat your  employees well and they will treat your customers well

8. Be willing to stand on your head for your customers, especially young ones who will be your future customers

A link to Friday’s CEO Connect, if you would like to attend: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/6613528241

Coach Rob Pasick

Email: rob@leadersconnect.com

Website: www.robertpasick.com

Lessons From an Extraordinary Woman, Carrie Holmes

Carrie Holmes, a most extraordinary woman, passed from this world last week. She was a close friend of my sons Daniel and Adam, and  became our friend as well. We and dozens of her friends and family were honored to be part of her vigil a week ago. One by one we  said our tearful goodbyes to her as she left this world after a ten-year    struggle with cancer. Since then there have been over 100 comments on her Facebook page about what an exceptional, inspiring person she was, and how powerfully she has impacted their lives. Today I present to you a few of the many things she lived and taught us through her example. As one friend wrote, “she packed more into 34 years than most people do in 84 years."

1. No matter where a kid comes from, or what she  looks like, find the best in her, make her feel great about herself.

2. Sing loudly ,dance often, and dare to be goofy...and don't be afraid to tell someone to "get their shit together."

3. Show off your smile.

4. Find kind words to say to people every day.

5. Dare to express your opinions. You don't always have to be kind, but you do need to tell the truth.

6. Laugh and be quick with your wit 

7. Persevere in the face of the severest adversity, and never give up hope or accept defeat.

8. Know you can make a difference in the lives of the people you work and play with, and love.

9. Love the Wolverines, the Tigers, Springsteen and Segar, bold  colors, and Jeopardy.

10. Send your kids to camp  (Donations can be sent to the link below)

A link to Carrie’s obituary is below.

LINK TO DONATION SITE: http://camptalltree.com/

LINK TO OBITUARY: Carrie Holmes

Coach Rob Pasick

Email: rob@leadersconnect.com

Website: www.robertpasick.com