My personality is defined as that of an architect, which makes my main strength the ability to formulate or create a plan. I have a constantly evolving vision, and it outweighs the need to connect with others. I may appear outgoing, but there are usually so many things in my head at any given moment that it drowns out social interactions. It is never acceptable for me to be caught off-guard, and usually the outcome from an off-guard moment is not good. I focus as much time and attention as needed to prepare for meetings, presentations or even discussions and will run through scenarios many times over in my head before engaging in these forums.
Compartmentalization is a key ingredient in my DNA. When at work, it’s all work. When at home, it’s all home. When doing anything else, I do I have to compartmentalize; otherwise, trying to exist in two places at once makes me less effective. If at home and there are emails I am reading or calls I am taking, it is almost like I am not home at all. Or, if I am thinking about something and someone tries to talk to me, I rarely can hold a conversation.
My internal motor turns very fast, and if I am not trying to juggle multiple things at a time, then it is very boring. I have an absolute love for the details and an eye for anything that looks incorrect. Putting detail into meeting notes, documents, or even finding a speck of paint on a baseboard where it should not be are things I pay attention to. Also, I have an expectation that everyone is supposed to do what is asked of them 100 percent of the time.
I live with a deeply-rooted hatred for math, yet I love to look at numbers and can remember almost any number that is of any importance to me or represents a special date or time. I do not believe in taking a lunch break, and skipping lunch most days in my career has, on average, allowed me five more hours of productivity a week x 50 weeks a year x 15 years is over 3,500 hours. I read a quote years ago that said, “No one will outwork me.” That fits.
Outside of work, there is spending time with my family. And other than having a couple of beers with friends and occasionally bird or turkey hunting, my life is pretty simple. I don’t dress up much, don’t go out to eat much, never go to movies, concerts, football games, or anything that is going to chew up a bunch of my time. I prefer sitting back and entertaining my wife and kids when not around or consumed with work.
My tombstone should read my favorite quote: “There are three types of people in the world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who stand around and wonder what the hell just happened.” I have tried to live – ever since I heard that when I was 18 years old – as a person who can make things happen.
Lastly, here are things that will make my head explode: having to tell somebody something twice, being late to a meeting or phone call, making excuses, not owning a mistake, bad attitudes, spreading rumors, discontent, complacency, and blaming others. Stay away from these actions, traits, and characteristics, and we will get along just fine.