A few years ago I read an article on the retirement of the University of Florida’s Athletic Director, Jeremy Foley. Foley is finishing up a forty year career at UF.

You can well imagine the number of people Jeremy Foley has had to fire over the years. Of course he’s not always made the perfect decision when hiring and firing, but based on the school’s success, he’s been right far more times than he’s been wrong.

One of Foley’s sayings is, “If something needs to be done eventually, it needs to be done immediately.”

You will often find that to be a characteristic and trait of exceptional leaders. They see what needs to be done and they do it immediately.

You as a leader know there are things you eventually need to do, but for whatever reason you keep putting it off.

You know there are people you need to eventually replace. If you know you need to eventually replace them, then you need to do it immediately.

You know you need to eventually change your pay plans. If you know you need to eventually change pay plans, then you need to do it immediately.

You know you need to eventually get rid of packs. If you know you need to eventually get rid of them, then you need to do it immediately.

There’s a long list of things you know you need to eventually do.

If you want to be a better leader, you would do them immediately.

That’s all I’m gonna say, Tommy Gibbs

Touch is a fundamental part of human interaction that plays a vital role in the workplace and beyond.

Whether it’s a handshake, fist bump, high-five, a pat on the back, or a friendly hug, touch can help build connections and foster a sense of trust and collaboration among colleagues.

Touch is a great way to increase energy and enthusiasm.

One of the most common forms of touch in the workplace and social arena is the handshake. This simple gesture can convey a great deal of information about a person, including their level of confidence, trustworthiness, and respect for others.

A firm handshake, for example, can convey a sense of strength and confidence, while a limp one may suggest the opposite. A wimpy and un-enthusiastic handshake can drain a potentially powerful moment.

During the pandemic this sort of human touch went away. I heard some people say they were happy it did. I’m not one of those people.

My father taught me how to shake hands at a young age and I’ve found it to be one of the most powerful human interactions on the planet. Even more so when it includes a hug.

In addition to handshakes, other forms of touch can also be valuable in the workplace. A pat on the back can be a sign of encouragement and support, while a touch on the shoulder can convey empathy and concern. Even a fist bump can be a lighthearted way to show camaraderie and a shared sense of purpose.

The high-five is an exclamation point for whenever you feel the need to put it into play. It once got me out of a traffic ticket. When the officer came to the window I high fived her and all she could do was smile and move on.

The first-ever high-five appears to have happened in 1977, during a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros. After a home run, Dodgers outfielder Dusty Baker high-fived his teammate.

Of course, it’s important to remember that not everyone is comfortable with physical touch, and it’s essential to respect people’s boundaries and preferences. However, for those who are open to it, touch can be a powerful tool for building relationships and enhancing teamwork.

It’s also super important that you touch all your used cars on a regular basis. They will love you for it.

In conclusion, touch is an essential aspect of human communication that can play a vital role in the workplace. It can inspire positive thinking and expand trust.

Touch reduces social anxiety and stress. Physical touch increases levels of dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters that help regulate your mood and relieve stress and anxiety. Dopamine is also known to regulate the pleasure center in your brain that can offset feelings of anxiety.

From handshakes to pats on the back, these small gestures can help build trust, foster collaboration, and create a more supportive and productive work environment. Touching your used cars will help them go away faster too.

With some caution, let the touching begin. A big high-five to you. That’s all I’m gonna say, Tommy Gibbs

What is True Grit?

True grit is the combination of:

1. Perseverance: The ability to keep going despite setbacks or difficulties.
2. Passion: A deep, enduring commitment to a long-term goal.
3. Resilience: The capacity to recover quickly from failure or adversity.

Characteristics of Gritty Individuals

1. Tenacity: They maintain focus and effort over time, even when the rewards are delayed.
2. Optimism: They believe challenges can be overcome and see failure as a stepping stone.
3. Self-Discipline: They work consistently toward their goals, often sacrificing short-term comfort.
4. Adaptability: They learn from failures and adjust their approach without losing sight of their objective.

The Importance of True Grit

• Achieving Goals: Grit is often a better predictor of success than talent or intelligence.
• Overcoming Adversity: Grit allows individuals to face challenges head-on and come out stronger.
• Building Confidence: Each small victory fueled by grit builds self-assurance and momentum.

How to Cultivate True Grit

1. Set Clear Goals: Know what you want and commit to it wholeheartedly.
2. Embrace Failure: See setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.
3. Practice Patience: Recognize that worthwhile achievements take time and effort.
4. Strengthen Self-Belief: Develop a mindset that you can achieve anything with persistence.
5. Build Support Systems: Surround yourself with people who encourage and inspire you.

Examples of True Grit in Action

• Athletes who train for years to achieve peak performance.
• Entrepreneurs who persevere through multiple business failures to find success.
• Students who study tirelessly to excel in their chosen fields.

True grit is not about talent or luck; it is about hard work, unwavering passion, and the determination to push forward despite obstacles. By embracing these principles, anyone can develop the grit needed to achieve extraordinary things.

That’s all I’m gonna say, Tommy Gibbs.

If you talk to anyone that’s had a successful run, they will tell you the greatest thrill for them hasn’t been:

All the money they’ve made

All the great trips they’ve taken

All the wonderful houses they’ve owned

All the news stories about adding another business to their portfolio

All about their sales rankings in publications like Automotive News

All about all the wonderful plaques they’ve received for their civics’ activities, contributions to their community or the awards from the franchises they represent

It’s none of those.

They will tell you the greatest thrill for them is the contributions they’ve made toward developing great leaders in and outside of their organization.

Successful people are always looking for opportunities to invest in their businesses and their staff. The one thing they all know deep down inside is there is no greater investment than investing in their people.

Regardless of your position on the management totem pole, you too can invest in others by teaching, coaching, encouraging and picking others up. When you set the example, you become the example.

When people feel like they are learning and moving forward, they always want to give you their best. When people are giving their best we all grow.

Sometimes you help people grow so much that they leave for other bigger and greater opportunities. You should smile, high five them and give yourself a little pat on the back.

Are you investing in your team? That’s all I’m gonna ask. Tommy Gibbs