As Brad drove up to meet me at Starbucks on an early Friday morning in Irvine, California, I was filled with genuine excitement. Brad Mugg, a client and dear friend, is someone I immensely admire and respect for a multitude of reasons. Life had interrupted the frequency of our interactions, and today would be the first time we had seen each other in years. I was stoked. I had been invited to speak to his team of professional sales and service associates, and today would be a Level 10 Experience for everyone in attendance.
As we greeted each other in the parking lot, it was as if no time had elapsed at all. Genuine excitement was in the air. Brad is one of the great leaders I have had the honor of working with during my career. He is everything a leader should be in every way: integrity beyond reproach, the energy of 100 motivated men, childlike enthusiasm consistently displayed, trains his people and focuses on helping others reach their goals and dreams. He is a true set-on-fire, goal-seeking, dream-reaching giant of a man.
1990
Brad and I met 15 years ago in Chicago where he led a large automobile dealership. The day we met, I knew he was a very special leader. Some people have their energy level turned up to an unusual level, and they have this extraordinary and different viewpoint of what's possible. Brad was on a purpose-based mission to do something special with his life by assisting others on their journey to success. A committed husband and father of three, a man who lives his life with integrity and pure intention, Brad Mugg was uniquely special, and I was inspired by the opportunity to educate his teams.
"The mark of a man is what they do for the benefit of others without expectation of personal gain." ~ George W. Cummings, Sr.
Humbling Experience
As we arrived at the Norm Reeves Irvine Auto Plaza, we were both filled with enthusiasm and energy. The first thing that happened was amazing. One of Brad's leaders had actually beat Brad to the punch in ordering a Level 10 license plate for his automobile. We met in the parking lot, and it was truly humbling to hear what the Level 10 approach to life had meant to this man. It's nice to see first-hand that what you do truly matters to other people.
Thought Starter
"You've been given the innate power to shape your life...but you cannot just speak change, you have to LIVE change. Intent paired with action builds the bridge to success. You can't just want it; you have to do it, live it...BE it! Success isn't something you have, it's something you DO!"
~ Steve Maraboli
"Wow" Experience
As we walked through the facility, I saw representations of my life's work in full display. My creed was featured in their monthly newsletter. My sales processes, Winning Words and The 9-Square Grid, were visible in many ways. They truly ran their business based on the Paul Cummings method of service-based selling. All I could think was, "I wish everyone who works so hard on behalf of our customers every day could witness what I am seeing first hand."
"It All Matters."
Two Young Men
Brad asked me to spend some time with two special young men, his sons Cooper and Quincy. I enjoyed my engaging discussion with them regarding their goals and true aspirations. It's obvious the old saying, "The apple didn't fall far from the tree," is true in their case. There is something uplifting about being around young people who are goal-directed and focused on chasing down meaningful dreams. It was an honor that Brad would ask me to provide advice and counsel to his sons.
Some People Talk a Good Game
Brad told his entire team during my introduction that I had inspired him and changed his life 15 years ago. He told a story about how my 9-Square Grid process had helped an automotive colleague of his build a $50,000,000 net worth. Although I appreciated the kind words, the brutal truth is some people talk a good game but do nothing. On the other hand, men like Brad Mugg walk their talk and get richly rewarded as a result.
