What makes a successful business person? It is a question that VIM Executive Coaching has explored with clients on numerous occasions. Is success about money or sleek offices? Is success measured by technology or stock price? Is success marked by media and notoriety? We suppose arguments can be made in support of all those questions, then some. We think of that now, as we recall the memory of Professor “F.”
A true story
We first met Professor F at a trade show for the natural food industry. He didn’t mind if you called him “Professor” or “Doctor” or “Sifu” (an endearing name for teacher). If ever a person had the appearance of someone plucked from the casting department to be a Kung Fu master, it would have been him, right down to his long grey goatee and silk outfit.
He was at the trade show to launch a product line of herbal teas he had developed over many years of labor. Our guess was that the professor was minimally in his late-70s to early 80s when we met him.
He was visiting at that tradeshow as his primary residence was Taipei. He did have a doctorate in philosophy and measured his success through the success of his students. He was a master in the martial arts including Kung Fu and Tai chi (though was quick to point out that no one masters anything) and he was serious about his newly launched business. His intention was to involve himself only enough, so that he could give it over to his two sons.
Was he successful?
We must admit that the story of Professor F does not end on the cover of a major business magazine. His tiny company’s stock did not trade in huge multiples nor was his image ever captured ringing the bell on the podium of the NYSE. In fact, the business lasted all but 2-1/2-years before fading into fermented-tea oblivion.
Americans have little propensity for fermented tea drinks and their astronomic price-points. His sons, who did become successful in their own rights, could not make a “go” of it in the food business. Sadly, the professor did not return to the U.S. after the tradeshow, and he was no one’s “Entrepreneur of the Year.” We know, he was ill and did not live for many decades after, which was a terrible shame, for he had so much to impart.
Why we remember him and his wisdom (out of respect we hesitate to use tropes like “inscrutable”) and in fact, he was diametrically the opposite; he was not mysterious, he had great emotional accessibility. He was who he said he was.
For the professor was easily one of the most successful people we had ever seen in action. Knowing him automatically evoked several emotions and impressions we want to share.
Doing without talking
His tiny tradeshow booth did not overflow with great numbers of attendees however, everyone who entered seemed to want to seek something he offered. It was a magnetism borne of authenticity. He was real, he was truthful, he listened and more than that he respected those who came to ask questions and interact.
Regrettably, far too few executive leaders share those traits. While many would-be VIM clients have incredible educational credentials and grounding in all sorts of digital technologies, woefully few are able to authentically communicate.
Listening skills are in short supply these days and all-too-often, interaction and feelings of respect are absent. For a while the economy was so strong, such problems didn’t seem to matter to anyone. However, things are not as strong as they were and so many tell us the are feeling lost and “adrift.”
The magic of AI is being touted across the spectrum of business, yet the levels of authenticity in business are so diminished, there is a deep longing for the real and the mindful. The better executive leaders value mindfulness – as did Professor F and his wisdom.
And that is the greatest gift we took from the professor. He had a mindful presence, as though he expected to meet everyone who interacted with him. He was open, honest and humble.
As we mentioned, his children became successful, maybe not in the tea business but in life. For the beverage could not have succeeded. The margins were wrong and production costs were way too high.
He taught them valuable lessons about winning and losing; respect and responding to others in an authentic fashion, sacrifice and acceptance. Maybe it was intended as a life’s gift from the start.
He taught us as well. All these years later, we remember his kindness and responsiveness. What wisdom his mindful presence provided.