Become a Better You

OK, I’m just gonna put this out there, I’m a Ford guy. Ford Mustang is the best American muscle car ever. I mean, Carrol Shelby, come on! Ask me about doing 125 mph in my 1995 Mustang GT sometime. Yes, I know I’m a Risk Manager, but don’t I have to take the risks to understand them and know how to manage them?! Sheesh.

But that’s not what I want to talk about today. I want to talk about CHEVY today. You can be whatever car owner you want, but I sincerely hope you all have a little CHEVY in you as well.

What is CHEVY?

Funny you should ask. CHEVY is an acronym I literally made up for this blog, but if you let it digest a little after reading on, I think you’ll see how it can have a big impact for you both personally and professionally. It stands for:

Compassion, Honesty, Empathy, Vulnerability, You

Compassion & Helping Others

In a cynical and sarcastic world, when was the last time you showed compassion to someone who cut you off on the way to work (this one is a personal struggle)? Maybe they were on the way to the hospital, but we didn’t know.

Compassion is defined as being sympathetic of others’ distress and wanting to help.

My kids have helped me learn compassion. My 17-year-old daughter, who’s every action is an emotional reaction, has me wanting to say, “OH COME ON, REALLY CHICKEN LITTLE!” but on the outside, I simply ask, “What can I do to help? Let’s figure this out, so you’re not riding this emotional roller coaster all day.”

Honesty Is the Best Policy

Honestly, what more could we say about honesty? I have to be honest, this one should be self-explanatory and easy for everyone. I’m being honest when I say that honesty is the best policy, period.

But I will tell you, another word comes to mind when I hear the word honesty — integrity. If you can master Radical Candor (tactfully of course) with your clients, members, and coworkers, I promise they won’t hold it against you. And they won’t forget that you didn’t just tell them what they wanted to hear, but rather, what they needed to hear. Even if sometimes that means you don’t “make the sale.” Your clients, members, and coworkers will never forget, and you will build a type of loyal relationship that will last when you build your relationships on honesty and integrity.

Empathy as a Practiced Habit

Empathy is another one that is hard for many people. Not because they don’t care or don’t have a heart, but because empathy is an action or a habit that if we don’t develop and master, it’s not the first place we go.

Empathy refers to the action of understanding; the ability to relate to another person’s pain, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another — almost as if one has experienced that pain themselves. Work on showing empathy and see how your relationships, both personal and professional, grow.

Vulnerability Is a Strength

Vulnerability is weakness, and Cobra Kai’s never show weakness! NO MERCY! OK, there’s my reference to the greatest decade ever, the 80s. I do love the reboot on Netflix though.

So that initial statement about vulnerability is obviously false. In fact, I will always argue that being vulnerable or showing vulnerability is actually a strength. It takes guts to be vulnerable in any situation, whether it’s internally with my ICS coworkers or externally with my captive members.

There are many levels of vulnerability. I implore you to start small, and start with those closest to you. Open up a little bit and see how much stronger your relationships get. Do that with your coworkers, your ICS captive members, and even your prospects, and see how freeing it is to be human. Everyone has struggles — many of the same struggles. It’s OK to not be OK and show it.

You

All of this leads to you — a vulnerable, comfortable, confident, compassionate, empathetic, honestly raw, you.

I’ve been on a bit of a journey myself recently… you know, the one where you find your passion and what makes you happy. Am I an expert? Well, no, but I have learned it’s not selfish to focus on and work on you. After all, the best you is the best you for the world.

I encourage you to see how being more compassionate, more honest with yourself and others, showing more empathy, being vulnerable, and being you on the inside and out can increase the quality of your relationships and your quality of life. I encourage you to read some books, pick up a journal, reignite your hobbies, and hug your loved ones. Be kind. Be you.

You and your relationships will grow in ways you never thought possible. I genuinely believe I’m a better dad, better friend, better coworker, better risk manager, and better person since becoming a CHEVY person.

Hit me up, I’d love to share more of my own examples, experiences, and growth as well as share some book titles. Mostly, I’d love to hear how you’re becoming a CHEVY person too.