My journey continues.

On April 4, 2019, I posted an article about my career journey. Today my journey continues in a different and more focused direction.

Loree and I announced recently that we have ceased operations of our company, Selbst Consulting Group. That being said we are both now actively looking for jobs but, we don’t want just any job. In our next positions we want and need to make a difference.

Last week, I was given a great gift to meet with an individual who offered to help but, there was a catch. The catch was that there was a 90-minute sit down meeting followed by homework. This homework had 2 parts. Part one was to document my perfect job situation and part 2 was to ask people who know me one question. This question had to be answered with total honestly and no BS.

I was completely up for this challenge for a couple of reasons. First, and the most important, it was time to soul search to really know what I want to do in this next chapter of my career. Secondly, I need to get real with myself about what I am great at doing. To let you know, honestly, this assignment has taken a lot of thought and self-reflection, but I did it. Let me take you through my processes.

As I was thinking about this, I started writing. I was writing about what I have done for work but then it hit me. The reader should get to know me and not just a body for a job but who I am as a person, my humanity and humility. Not the person I was in the past who wrote, I was chasing the money, but who I am I now. It’s about the person I have matured into being over the past few years.

This has taken a lot of thought and introspection. So, let me start with telling you about me, Stuart Selbst, the man, the person and what drives me. I will talk about what I like to do, followed by the right work environment, type of company, location and job title. Finally, I will tell you what type of leader I am able to work for and follow and then what others think I am the best in the world at doing.

Before reading further, please take 3 minutes click the YouTube link and watch the video to learn about me from me.

How does one define who they are? For me that is easy, I am a husband, a son (and son-in-law), a brother (and brother-in-law) an uncle (and a great and a great-great uncle too). Family to me is everything. My wife Loree is a special person. She is one of those people that once you get to know her, something in you changes. You feel like a better person. I know that in the 12 years I have had the privilege to be her husband, I have become a better person.

I am driven by two things, the love of my family and passion to serve others. I have a deep belief of people before profits and helping my fellow man. It may sound corny and “old fashioned” but it has worked for me in the past and hopefully it will work for me again in the future.

I have a work ethic that doesn’t quit, I get this from my grandfather. You could say that I am a workaholic and some may say that sounds like a disease or a problem. It is only a problem if you don’t love what you do. I love working, because my work has always been about helping people. I am passionate about helping people, so it is never work. Some people may think this is bullshit but, I strongly disagree because I have bullshitted a lot of people in the past so I know what that’s all about. However, as I am getting older I am working on the legacy I can leave to this world. I also want to set an example to my nieces and nephews about hard work, being ethical, having integrity and helping your neighbor.

Now that you know a little bit about me and what drives me, let’s get into this and talk about my perfect job situation.

There are so many things I like to do but I have narrowed it down to 2 things that I love and at which I am the best. Those two are Sales and Business Operations.

When looking at a sales role, I am not a good fit for being confined to a desk making 100 cold calls a day. I am also not that entry level sales trainee who needs to be micromanaged. When it comes to the actual sales role, I am the person who thrives working with C-Level executives, my peers, and being able to show the benefit and ROI of the product or service to the client’s organization. Another area of sales for which I am a perfect fit is Sales Operations. This is because I possess the ability to lead, train and motivate the sales team all while keeping each and everyone accountable to KPIs and metrics.

I can’t work for a company who sells or offers a product that I do not believe in. I have done that before and it didn’t work out well for me. Integrity in the sale is very important to me. If I wouldn’t sell it to my mother or wife, then how could I sell it to someone else?

I am the best in the world at discovering ways to provide the complete solution to resolve an ongoing issue. When selling a product or service, I know within a few minutes of meeting with the prospect, usually the C-Level executive, if what I have is right for them and how it will benefit their organization in achieving a Return on Investment. I am fantastic at explaining it to them in a way they can understand the solution right away.

Now let’s move over to operations. Operations casts such a wide net over any business. I am the best in the world at getting things done when others are unable. I have no problem digging deep to find a solution that is a benefit for everyone, especially the client. I believe that there is always more than one way to get something done. In business, thinking outside of the box is crucial for success. Experience and drive matter.

Here is just one example of how I have thought out of the box in the past:

I was in my early 20’s working for a company in the inside side sales department, when a client called to order a product that was normally in stock. However, it just so happened that we were out of stock this time. I took it upon myself to make a few phone calls to vendors to get the product. The vendors made arrangements for me to source it from a competitor at the same price we normally paid. We were able to get the client what they needed and made them happy, as well as made a nice profit on the order.

Even at a young age and early in my career I knew that having the resources and relationships to make things happen is a gift that I possess. Knowing this about myself makes me an invaluable asset to any organization.

I am also the best in the world at executing on a leader’s vision. I am the person that all CEOs look to have on their team. The CEO has a vision on what they want to get done but typically can’t or hasn’t articulated it to the team. I am the person who can read through the crap and document that vision clearly and make it a reality. Also, I am the best implementor of process to achieve the greater good for the organization and client. I have a “6th sense” for knowing what is going to happen. A sort of knowing where the “puck is going to be” rather than where it is now. Think, Radar O’Reilly from the 70’s TV show M*A*S*H*.

Let me now tell you what I don’t like about “corporate” jobs. I don’t like harsh, gray, dingy, corporate type environments. I believe in and respect a certain amount of structure. However, I will never thrive or perform well in a company that has the “you must do it this way because we have always done it this way” mentality.

I prefer an environment that allows outside of the box thinking and autonomy to be creative and entrepreneurial to benefit the good of the organization. I do best when I am able to work as part of team so that I can get things done. I need to have a feeling of purpose. I need to be part of something bigger than myself and contribute to the larger picture.

Industry doesn’t matter to me! That’s right, the industry has no bearing on if I am going to be successful with the organization or not. I have worked in the technology, manufacturing and financial industries. I have consulted in retail, legal, manufacturing, healthcare and technology. None of this really matters to me or probably to you either. The one thing that is most important to me is the company culture from the top down.

The right company for me has got to meet most of the following criteria:

a.    Environmentally conscious

b.    Forward thinking

c.     Community aware

d.    Philanthropic

e.    Work hard, play hard attitude

f.     Engaged leadership that cares about the well-being and success of the team

Part of finding the right position with the right company is location. How much of my life do I want to give to the windshield? How far do I want to commute to work each day? I live in Mesa, AZ on Main St just east of Gilbert Road. Near my home is the Light Rail station. That being said, I have no problem going to downtown Phoenix for work. I am also interested in working in Tempe, Chandler and Scottsdale. My preference is to have a commute that is no more than 30 minutes (with traffic) or 15 miles from my home. If we are being real with one another, Loree and I have also discussed the possibility of relocation. If we were to relocate, we need to be on the west coast to be close to family. The locations that are on our list would be, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas and Denver. If we are within a 2 to 3-hour flight back to Phoenix, that will be acceptable.

I don’t care what title is on my business card or if I even have a business card. I can be called the janitor as long as I am able to make a significant contribution to the organization and service the client. But, if I need a job title, we can discuss it when I am hired.

I am a leader but sometimes leaders also need to follow. I have no problem following or working for someone, but that person needs to have certain qualities for us to be successful together.

The qualities I look for in a leader or a boss are:           

1.    Accountability

2.    Communication

3.    Collaboration

4.    Engagement

5.    Honesty

6.    Passion

7.    Empathy

8.    Transparency

9.    Patience

If the person that I am reporting to has these, or at least most of these qualities, we will not only get along but be extremely successful working together.

In the beginning of this post, I said that there were 2 parts to this assignment. The second part was to ask a question of people who know me that will never kiss my ass or BS me. The question is, “what, in your opinion, I am the best in the world at doing or being?” Below are some of the responses I received.

Andrew Kolikoff says, “You are an incredibly LOYAL human being. And, great at being a great friend.” 

Megan Porth says, “You are really great at two things: (1) conveying passion and sincerity in everything you do; and (2) connecting people to each other.”

Rob Young says, “Once you make a connection with someone, you genuinely care about the outcome.  That connection can be to a person (obviously) or an organization. Once that connection is made, you are a fierce advocate and develop a vision of what those possibilities can be.”

Todd Wahl says, “You understand how to package, price & present products and services especially technology related products and services. I also believe you have unmatched expertise in the leveraging technology in business operations to ensure not only a guaranteed outcome (effective) but the fastest results possible (efficient). Every business regardless if they are in technology or not needs to have someone like you that has business experience and technology expertise. You are the best in the world at bridging the gap between technology and business.”

Brion Crum says, “ Stuart, from the time that I have known you, I Believe that you are very honest to the point of being brutally honest. People need that hard truth. Also, you are very passionate about truly helping others but only when they are truly interested in being helped. Otherwise it's all a waste of time for both parties.” 

I am so grateful for those people who took the time to answer this question and for everyone else who continues to reach out in support. I do not ask for much, but I am going to ask for something from you today. If you know a C-level executive who is able to utilize someone with my skills in their company, please make an introduction or even better, forward them this article. You will not only be giving me the gift of a potential job, but you will be offering a bigger gift to the company that you are trying to help.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

All the best in success,

Stu