Positively Notorious

In a recent continuing legal education conference, I sat listening to a lecture that would impact my area of practice very little. I no longer work in the court room on a regular basis and the topic of cross-examination really held little interest for me.

Yet, I sat dutifully and listened. The presenter, a seasoned trial lawyer, was what I expected him to be. Smooth. Great communicator. An accomplished story teller. So, even though I told myself that I had little motivation for listening, I couldn’t help myself. Thinking of preparation and strategy in working with a witness, I found myself recapturing the excitement of law school and my few years as a commercial litigator. In practice, most of my work with witnesses were in depositions. But it was an exciting part of my job.

I also found myself thinking of great attorneys I’ve known and remembering things that I had learned from them. One particular person rose to the top of those memories. I couldn’t help but think about my association with him. I realized that I had never really seen him in the court room or in deposition. I did share office space with him — sort of. He flew into Abilene every Thursday night and occupied the office next to mine on Fridays (when he wasn’t in trial). Yet, I knew he was a great lawyer — by reputation and by the way he handled himself in daily life.

He was greatly feared by large insurance companies, railroads, and other major businesses — and their lawyers. Not because of his domineering style in the courtroom, but because of his intellect and the fact that he had a knack of getting everyone in a room to listen and, to some degree, like him.

I was startled from my memories as the presenter in this particular course summed up his points by telling the story of a famous cross-examination in the famous case of Exxon v. Lloyd’s of London. As he set the scene, I thought, “How interesting! The lawyer in the case was Don Bowen, my hero and friend.”

Suddenly, I became anxious. What if, I thought, Don’s performance in the cross-examination was an example of bad technique? Our presenter had just revealed one of Abraham Lincoln’s blunders on cross. Would Don be similarly maligned?

As the story unfolded, the audience was swept into a wonderful dialog of how a kind, yet brilliant lawyer, gently led an opposing party through testimony that persuaded the jury.

Don Bowen passed away several years ago. I’m sure there were times he made mistakes. I’m aware of some of his personal failings that occurred long before I came to know him. I remember a few times when he disagreed with me on some things. I don’t remember the details of those times, though. The details are blurred by the way he treated me. With respect.

Outstanding experience. To hear a stranger talk about a common friend. And to hear the same theme in his description of a man that I would use. That a person can be strong and commanding while treating those around him with respect.

We should all be so positively notorious.

Opportunity

Sometimes, opportunity presents itself dramatically. It rears its majestic head and invites us to take hold. We relish the experience. We have no doubts and we move forward with confidence.

But most times, opportunity peeks out at us, wide-eyed and tentative, from just around the corner. And even when it steps out for a few seconds and signals its promise, it may suddenly duck down and run for cover.

And, when that happens, a lot of us shrug and think, “Well, that opportunity wasn’t meant to be.” We continue where we were. Perhaps just as well off, but never really knowing what the opportunity might have meant to our lives.

I’ve got an opportunity around the corner. I’ve exchanged a few greetings and it’s seemed pretty shy. Today, I’m walking around the corner to meet it.

I don’t think that we have the time to greet every opportunity that comes our way. Yet, I would hope that all of us would pause long enough to meet some and explore the possibilities.

Conservatively Speaking

As I entered the office this morning, one of my colleagues pointed out that his internet connection was not working. He’s relatively new and works out of the part of the office that lacks wired connections. So, I assumed that the problem was the wireless transmitter.

Crawling over boxes in our storage room, I soon determined that the wireless network appeared to be operational. I then plugged in my laptop, found that the network itself was operational and then tested the wireless network. I, too, could not connect.

As we continued to puzzle over this technological void, others arrived for work. Over a twenty minute period, we received a variety of reports on the network. No one could access the wireless and the wired connections were up and down with no explanation or reason. Eventually a call was placed to our technicians. Verification was made — our network was officially down. This was not merely a problem with our satellite location.

My colleague left with his laptop under his arm and headed to a nearby coffee shop and free internet. The rest of us meandered through the office suite, bemoaning the fact that no internet was available. Then unexpectedly, my connection re-opened. When I reported this to my co-workers, machines were re-booted. Strangely, two computers were connected and two were not.

Another call was made to the technicians. “No, we told you the network is down.”

“Then why are two of our computers connected and the other two aren’t?”

“Oh,” the beleaguered tech sighed, “actually, we know that some computers are connecting and some aren’t. We just don’t know why.”

I was glad that one of our kinder, gentler people was on that call. I would have been insisting on why we were being told something that obviously wasn’t accurate. Instead of passing on the news that some of us could conduct business as usual, the universal message was, “Don’t even bother trying.”

I suppose it was easier to speak conservatively than it was to try and explain. Yet trust is built on understanding. And a relationship of trust is worth investing in an explanation.

Am I making too big a deal about this? Most certainly.

Conservatively speaking.

Teamwork

A lot of what we do where I work is help people deal with conflict. Most often these folks are or have been working together. Sometimes they are in daily contact. Other times they are simply partners in a short term project. On occasions they are volunteers working on a cause. And sometime, they’re just friends or family members.

Wherever people are together, you have a breeding ground for conflict. And much of it is healthy. Conflict helps us set boundaries in relationships. It tells us when something isn’t working.

I’m blessed. My regular, day-to-day relationships are filled with people who are skilled in dealing with conflict. It doesn’t stop conflict from happening. But, most of the time, the conflict comes and goes as a natural part of living. We bristle a little, we steam a bit, we laugh a lot, and we learn. We’re a team.

Yet, a good part of my idle thought turns toward people who choose not to be team players. They use conflict as a battle ground or they choose to ignore it. These are the individuals who push into my prayer life. I see their faces when I fight feelings of anger and hopelessness.

I have to remember that despite my personal struggle, we’re all members of the team. And they really must act that way. Or, more correctly, I really must act that way.

Long Term Gain

This month, my son, Jeremy, and I began our third year of business together. With the patience of a few vendors and a merciful lender, we have made it through what many experts say is the most difficult period for small businesses.

We made all of the textbook mistakes for small business. We undoubtedly will continue to make some of those mistakes. Jeremy is really talented in production and gifted in customer service. He is overworked and stretched. On the other hand, I am inexperienced in running a small business. I am a decent janitor, though.

Small business is stressful in these early years. Frankly, the odds-makers would tell you that we’re still not a good bet. We have weathered the worst, but tough times are still ahead.

I woke up at 2:30 this morning thinking about this little enterprise, our customers, what needs to be done in the next few days, and wishing I was asleep. Then thoughts about my “regular” job crowded in. So at 4 a.m., I made my way to my study, paid some bills and thought about my life.

I’m blessed. I have a wonderful family — not perfect, just wonderful. I have my health. My career is in high gear and I’m surrounded by unbelievably gifted and kind co-workers.

And, I’m in business “on the side” with Jeremy.

And while I may never realize the riches I had hoped this venture might bring, I will always recognize the long term gain of doing something that springs from hope and love.