Extreme crises require extreme advice.
That’s why I flew to New Orleans in 1996 to get counsel from a Fortune 500 CEO about a scary problem.
Ultimately, the problem was mitigated because of a tip from my father-in-law, E. L. “Chick” Williamson who was Chairman and CEO of the Louisiana Land and Exploration Company (LL&E).
I use this tip over and over to survive catastrophes.
You can too.
Advice #1: Threats never have to be setbacks
Let’s face it. Any traumatic interruption is an attack.
It’s an attack on your peace-of-mind.
Doesn’t matter if you are running a business or your life.
A 1996 audit of my business was going just fine until I was surprised by an issue in one of our offices in another city.
I didn’t expect this and I needed a big solution.
Of course, I erred on the side of urgency rather than complacency which is a good thing when you need to save your hiney.
So, I flew to my father-in-law’s house in New Orleans.
I needed emergency treatment from the best strategist ever.
Advice #2: Stepping back is the first step forward
E. L. “Chick” Williamson loved the drama of business.
He liked to be in the ring when a fight for principle was at stake and he loved mentoring young and old entreprenurs alike.
When I arrived, freaked out, his approach was to slow me down.
“Not so fast,” said Chick.
Chick wanted me to step back and see a bigger picture.
So, he takes me to the bar and he shows me how to mix an old-fashioned.
As he demonstrates a sugar-base not to sweet, but just right, I’m thinkin, “I can’t believe we’re doing this now!”
Chick believed in a key principle of problem solving.
Step back before you lean in.
In other words, the great reward with any problem is to respond and not react as responding is a deliberate pace.
Chick leads me to the large elegant living room and we sit and sip our old-fashioneds.
“OK, go ahead.”
So, I unload faster than a cheetah pounces on a limping Harvey Weinstein.
Chick listens steadily and then replies.
“That’s a two drink problem.” E.L. “Chick” Williamson
Chick didn’t drink much, so I knew I was in trouble when he led me back to the bar.
This time, he insists I mix the old-fashioned while he critiques.
“Bring the fruit to the top.’
“Now, that’s a New Orleans classic,” he says.
Back to the living room.
“OK. Proceed.”
I finish the details of my problem, and Chick leans forward with a gleam in his eye and tells me what I need to do.
Advice #3: Get a big gorilla
“You need to add a big gorilla into the fight. That gorilla is your sponsoring company.” E. L. “Chick” Williamson
“OK! This makes sense!”
Move the fight from me to the big gorilla and let the bigger guys go at it.
In my case, the gorilla was the Chubb Corporation.
The force of the audit had been squarely at my local office rather than the home office.
Chick’s advice was simple, but nevertheless profound.
“Shift your foe’s attention to the big gorilla and let the gorilla take the lead.” E. L. “Chick” Williamson
Whatever crises you face, involve the big gorilla ASAP!
Make the problem a fight between your gorilla and theirs.
One phone call to Chubb the next day woke up a giant on my behalf.
A two-drink day
I shared that story at Chick’s memorial service in 2003.
Hundreds attended the reception at the Williamson home.
When the doorbell rang, I answered and one of Chick’s longtime friends looked me in the eye and said…
“Steve, this is a two drink day.”
What’s your favorite lesson from a two drink day?
I loved Uncle Chick and all his wisdom, given with love and humor! Thanks, Steve!
I’m amazed at how many lives he touched and helped during and after his tenure at LL&E.
Love it!!
Thank you Andy!
Outstanding Steve. Thanks, great inspiring blog.
It was a traumatic moment turned to triumph sparked by your dad.