Ode to Marcus Evans…
Last night, a reader in California whom I have never met, and doesn’t work in the same industry sent me a message on facebook telling me how he liked “ode to Marcus Evans…” blog entry so much he printed out a copy and passed it out to all the people in his office.
During my training this morning, I thought a lot about this blog and the theme associated with it.
I also reflected on my experience since I wrote it 3+ years ago – and the numerous super bitches who have popped in and out of my life since I first posted it.
Whether you work for naseba or not – I challenge everyone to read this (revised edition) and reflect.
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Loyalty vs disloyalty is a theme I have discussed throughout this blog.
Some people have commented how I was “disloyal” to my previous company…
Therefore, I wish to explore the root of this “disloyalty.”
For this entry and discussion on “disloyalty” … I am going to use myself as the example.
The purpose is to try and positively, influence anyone who might be able to relate to my story.
In fact, we can ALL relate to this discussion, whether you work for naseba or not.
I did not quit my previous company because I was looking for “greener grass…”
I did not quit to secretly, start my own company.
I did not quit.
I was pushed out because I had become a “super bitch.”
“Super bitch” is a theme which I have hammered throughout this blog … and in my opinion — it’s the “root” to disloyalty.
Like many people in this industry … when I joined my previous company in Tokyo it was my first real job.
I started to sell very quickly…
with my quick deals in a ‘underperforming’ office came some sort of “power” within the office.
It did not matter that I had never been a manager, thus had zero management experience …I knew better than the boss.
It did not matter that I had never been in the corporate world, thus did not understand company procedures and protocol … I knew it all.
With my sales success came a “superficial power” within the office — at the time, I was in my early to mid-20’s and I didn’t know how to handle the quick success and big pay checks.
Sincerely, I wanted the best for the office and the company.
I was a very loyal and a sincere guy, but with my sales success; then my teams sales success; and ultimately my offices success — I became uncontrollably, arrogant.
My Chairman met me once a month, and naively/ungratefully, I completely… took his time for granted.
Like a spoiled baby — I expected the Chairman to take the time to meet me …
International travel … I traveled the world and I took it completely for granted.
“all companies send their staff around the world and put them up in 5 star hotels??”
childlike expectations….
I expected my boss to take my calls … and I called whenever I wanted.
I expected my boss to reply to my emails and I hammered him with emails whenever I wanted — often suggesting to him on how to do his job.
I was probably one of the top talents in the company, and (arrogantly) I thought I knew everything.
Upon reflection, being the best sales man allowed me to get promoted to GM quickly …. get a nice salary, as well as rewarded with office override, bonus commissions etc.
In one year, my basic salary was increased by more than 300%
But I just expected this…
I just expected to have my salary raised…
I just expected to receive a bonus for doing my job very well.
I just expected…
With my success and large pay checks I became “unmanageable” … I thought I knew more than my multi-millionaire Chairman.
After all, I was very talented…
I was great at closing deals … training young kids to sell … building teams…
But the truth: I was a fucking nobody.
I became difficult to manage.
I became super arrogant.
I spoke disrespecfully, to the Chairman on the phone and via email.
Many people reading this entry can change the roles in this blog –from the old Scott and Marcus– to you and your current boss — whether that boss is at naseba or not.
No matter how good you might be in your role at your company – do not fall in the trap of believing you are more important than you really are.
I am proud of what we are achieving at naseba … but there is NO WAY I would have developed/learned/matured if I had not first reflected and ultimately, changed.
I was not disloyal to Marcus in setting up naseba.
I was disloyal to Marcus by becoming a “super bitch” when I worked for him and thinking I was someone more important than I really was.