What Did You Expect?

In the early 90’s, there was increasing economic noise about the country slipping into recession. At the time, Mel Karmazin was CEO of CBS. There was a great deal of conversation about how business, especially the advertising business, was going to suffer in the months ahead. At an annual manager’s meeting, Karmazin informed the entire CBS’s management team that, “If there is a recession, we will not participate, Period!” There was a recession. CBS did not participate. The company continued to grow.

Declarative statements can be extremely powerful. They announce intent, limit options, and bring clarity and focus. Sometimes it simply takes determination and force of will to bring about a desired result. It is a universal concept that our expectations bring about results. We don’t always get what we want, but we always get what we expect. Sometimes we are surprised, but usually we can nod our heads and in honesty say, “Things have gone about the way I expected.”

Questioning of personal expectation, takes a significant amount of courage. “What do I truly expect?” is step one. Step two is having the courage to honestly take step one.

Thoreau once wrote, “We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aid, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn.”

Good Dawning!