Get the Trucks out of the Garage

On a recent morning there were several dedicated community leaders that came together to work on the future direction of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. The issues on the table were large and complex. The working session took place in a meeting room at a local agency called the Judson Center.

While the broad community issues were being discussed, you could hear through the partition a group of young children --- who happen to be autistic --- singing a song together. For those familiar with Children's music -- it sounded like Raffi. The teachers of the group were helping make the first day of being at the Center a safe and secure one for each child.

At United Way we work with partners like the Judson Center to ensure progress is made with vulnerable populations. We also work with the wider community to ensure that cooperation and coordination are taking place to maximize efforts and resources.

At that moment in the Judson Center, I was reminded of our Board Chair's --- Tony Earley---- comment at a recent Board meeting. We had just wrapped up covering a wide range of issues. Tony reminded everyone, we need to stay focused on the larger picture while not getting to far from the knitting. He gave the analogy of that as the leader of a power company they must work on new sources of energy, but when the winter storm comes, he also needs to make sure the 'trucks get out of the garage."

The work of community isn't an either/or. It is an AND. We need to make sure the children right next to us are safe, secure and growing. We also must make sure we are doing everything possible to steward the resources and time of community to make the greatest impact. These aren't mutually exclusive. Rather, it requires us to work on the overarching issues while staying close to the reality of today. Or in Tony Earley's words --- "get those trucks out of the garage."

National Award to Ron Gettlefinger: Brennan's Speech

These are the comments that I gave at the UAW Constitutional Convention on Thursday June 15, 2006.

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Thank you. It's an honor to be here to present one of United Way's highest honors--the Joseph A. Beirne Community Services Award.

United Way nationally has honored 35 individuals with this award since 1977.

The award is named for Joseph A. Beirne who, among other things, was president of the Communication Workers of America and the first chairman of the AFL-CIO.

Joseph Beirne was also the first Labor representative to serve as Chair of the Board of Governors at United Way of America.

Today, the United Way of America's Joseph A. Beirne Community Services Award goes to Ron Gettlefinger, President of the UAW.

Ron's involvement with United Way and the community-at-large goes back thirty years. Ron is currently a member of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan's Board of Directors and served as Chair of the 2004 Torch Drive Campaign. Ron is the highest ranking labor leader to lead the United Way campaign in the United States. In 2004, through his leadership, the campaign exceeded its goal of $64.5 million --despite the difficult economy that Southeastern Michigan is facing.

Beyond United Way, Ron has served as the Michigan chair of the March of Dimes Walk America for the past 2 years --- raising over $3 million dollars.

But if you asked me to describe Ron, this is what I would tell you after working with him in community for the past two years.

Ron won't take a meeting @ 8:00 am when you can meet at 6:00 am instead--that is to ensure that time isn't taken away from work of the UAW membership.

Ron won't just show up for a media interview on the day 40 wheel chair ramps are being built. Rather, he'll go build the ramps for the day and let the media come see the UAW membership at work in the neighborhoods.

Ron won't throw out the first pitch at the Detroit Tiger's game. Instead, he'll help a disabled child to the mound so she could have that thrill.

Ron won't ever seek out the head table, but will always find the table where UAW membership is sitting.

And I learned on the campaign trail-- he won't take "no" for an answer when "yes"
is still a possibility.

Ron won't accept an individual award unless one is absolutely clear --- that he receives recognition on behalf of the good works of all UAW members.

Ron, you do what you say and say what you mean.

You work to ensure that justice resides in community and that community does what is just.

You don't tolerate accomodation when it is particapation that is needed.

Ron, on behalf of the 1,400 United Ways across the country -- I am proud to present to you and the entire membership of UAW --- THE JOSEPH A. BEIRNE COMMUNITY SERVICES AWARD

The Penske Effect

Three days before Super Bowl XL, I was walking across Woodward Avenue just as the Motown Winter Blast was getting ready to launch in the heart of Downtown Detroit. As I scanned the vibrancy of activity, I noticed a commanding presence walking down the middle of Woodward--- looking with a hawkeye---- pointing out to those with him the loose ends that needed to be buttoned up: a garbage bag just sitting there waiting for attention, a side street not fully blocked off, a cable not covered or simply a piece of paper drifting along without purpose. The man in the red, white and blue Super Bowl XL coat directing others was Roger Penske.

When I was in college, I distinctly remember learning about the Hawthorne Effect: an experiment conducted by Harvard Business School professor Elton Mayo at the Hawthorne Plant of the Western Electric Company in Cicero, Illinois. Mayo and his team measured performance between two working groups; one a control group with a normal level of lighting --- the other had their lighting elevated. The final conclusions were that individual and group behaviors may be altered because they knew someone was paying attention --- someone was watching. Because of that sixth sense, this group -- the well lit one--- consistently outperformed the control group.

When I saw Roger Penske that day, with the city shining and our performance at an all time high --- I thought of how Roger created a "Hawthorne Effect" for the region. Someone was watching. Someone was paying attention. Hence, our expectations of ourselves and our performance improved. Hence, our version of Hawthorne became the Penske Effect.

There are stories now of individuals getting phone calls from Roger Penske at all hours of the day and night prior to Super Bowl XL to get something corrected. Trash on an exit ramp into the city needed to get picked up. Equipment was needed to paint light posts or over graffiti. There was always the sense for those involved that someone--in this case Roger Penske-- was paying attention to not just the big things, but to the very details that mattered. Performance mattered. High expectations were set. All were accountable.

We all recognize that getting ready for an event like the Super Bowl is one thing. Living that discipline every day is another. Like the household pulling it together for a graduation party is very different than keeping the house just so when guest aren't due in the next hour.

However, duplicating the Penske Effect is not the responsibility of one citizen among 4 plus million residents. Rather, it is our collective responsibility. Progress won't rest with just one Mayor, County Executive, corporate leader, civic executive or local resident; though they each carry an important leadership accountability. When a region's sense that no one really is watching or paying attention, our everyday normal may not be putting our personal best effort forward. When we think the problem or responsibility for progress rests out there or over there, or even with another person, then that in fact is usually the problem.

The Penske Effect shows us we can get the house ready when company is coming. The real work begins now to set the expectation level at the same height for ourselves. Company might not be coming, but we all ought to expect for ourselves the same type of performance as what occurred during Super Bowl XL.

In my estimation, the recent announcement by the Downtown Development Authority that Roger Penske has agreed to chair the organization and is going to focus on CLEAN is brilliant. Why? Focus, focus, focus. There are a thousand things that need attention, but the recent decision by Roger Penske demonstrates the need to start with a baseline of expectation and work from there. Focus on something that can get accomplished and build upon that. There was great debate among civic leaders to look at larger and wider projects for Roger Penske's next engagement. The Summer Olympics for example. From my lens, let's do the right, smart things well. In this case --- SMALL IS BIG. Then, and only then, will we be in the position to build upon those strengths for larger more complicated projects.

The question ought not be "What is Roger going to do for the City or Region?" Rather, what are the vital few things we as a region can get focused around and make progress. There is the beginning of significant work taking place in the region by key civic organizations such as Detroit Renaissance, Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, New Detroit, Convention and Visitors Bureau and United Way for Southeastern Michigan to focus and align efforts. Key areas will begin to emerge that will call upon all of us to work together in the region in new ways.

The work ahead isn't about writing the next chapter of the old story, but rather for us to begin to write the new story. Maybe as Roger Penske would say, "Southeastern Michigan, start your engines." Let us begin. To learn more about how you can put your voice or how you can get involved in community go to United Way's web site at uwsem.org.

Civic Leadership - Big 3 & UAW

Last week was an important week for us at United Way. Bill Ford, Jr. (CEO of Ford Motor Company), Thomas Lasorda (CEO of Chrysler), Richard Wagner (CEO of General Motors) and Ron Gettlefinger (President of UAW) all were on my calendar last week. The topic of discussion was the 2006 United Way campaign and the issues facing Southeastern Michigan. Much is being written about those four men as our region goes through its economic shift. There probably aren't four CEO's in the country under greater scrutiny and criticism. I came away from those four meetings with a perspective that isn't always told.

I can't speak to running an automotive company or an international union. But I can speak to the sense of commitment to purpose, community and progress. I have met with hundreds of heads of companies or organizations over the past 20 years and I know when the words are real. I can tell you that those four, each very different, carried an authentic voice of understanding, support and concern for the region.

Each person last week (Ford, Wagner, Lasorda and Gettlefinger) gave the meeting and topic time and focus. Each had questions of how to strengthen support. There was a genuine concern for the time and place that this region finds itself. There was an understanding that there is some very difficult work in front of us and that support and cooperation were going to be requirements. There was a call from each to keep working at finding new ways to work in helping the region make an impact on the issues it cares most about. Each individual found ways to not only to link the organizational support, but there own personal time, networks and resources.

The leaders of the auto industry face complex and painful decisions which often cast the leaders in an uncaring light. My experience with these four individuals over the past two years tells me that there is a deep concern for people, community and a sustainable future. The actions of how each of them work to support progress of the region may not always get told, but one can be sure that they are active and engaged in making our community stronger.

Non-profit sectors are leadership sectors

From the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac policy conference:

The regions in the country that are making the most progress are ones that are giving, "fusion to the economic sector (private), social sector (nonprofit) and government (public sector)," says Neal Peirce, chairman of Citistates. The traditional model of let's get all the CEO's of companies in the room to make decisions is no longer the sustainable, or most powerful path concludes Peirce.

In my estimation, the greatest progress is made when the THREE SECTORS find a common point of intersection, and move aggressively towards it. Each sector brings something to the party. Super Bowl XL was a three sector collaboration. Campus Martius was a three sector collaboration. And so on...

One change that I hear this year from the podium is that progress in the region will require not just public and private partnerships, but rather, it will require public/private/nonprofit partnerships.

We heard that clearly from Edsel Ford. He said we can no longer just plan, but rather, we must have business, government and key civic institutions working in new ways towards common outcomes.

The nonprofit community is not a recipient sector. Rather, it brings immense intellectual capital, on the ground talent and leadership that is a necessary ingredient for progress.

Imagine the voice and leadership of region-wide initiatives absent of universities, hospitals, cultural institutions, chambers and the many social service organizations. Not only do they represent a huge employment base, but they represent a powerful leadership network that can be a key to the region's progress.

Click here to read what other Mackinac bloggers are writing.

The Obits

From the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac policy conference:

"I read the region's Obits today," Richard Seline, CEO of New Economy Strategies declared from the stage at the Mackinac conference. As he said that, he held up the business sections from our hometown newspapers.

He has been studying the region, and one of his conclusions, after being asked why would a company stay in Southeastern Michigan, "why wouldn't a company not only stay in Southeastern Michigan, but come to it."

Richards point is, this region has an abundance of assets and fantastic work taking place --- but it is often the story not frequently told. Moreover, we aren't finding the ways to build critical mass in telling that story.

This 'underground story' is one I see as I look at the region. In many ways, we undersell our strengths and over communicate our weaknesses.

Just like how Super Bowl XL reintroduced the region's residents to Detroit --- the time might be right for us all to reintroduce ourselves to the assets of the region. We must creating an Asset Index of sorts. Might Crain's work with other civic/business/government organizations to create our own Southeastern Michigan Asset Web Portal? An on-line orientation --- through the lens of possibility, assets and strengths. One that has an open source capability for all to participate in. All will be needed. All are welcome.

Power of Ideas

From the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac policy conference:

It doesn't matter what forum one is in here at Mackinac; a common theme that comes through is the immense strength of IDEAS.

You hear it given names of the knowledge economy, conceptual economy, new age economy, etc. Whether it is Mary Sue Coleman, President of the University of Michigan, or Eleanor Josaitis of Focus Hope, they all are clear that the advances in our community will come when we take the power of ideas and translate them into new ways of working to solve complex issues, to develop new products and services, and to capture the imagination (and ultimately the involvement) of others.

One of the key themes coming from the conference is that those powerful ideas reside in Southeastern Michigan. Lifting them up, telling that new story and putting them into action is our next frontier.

Pick the Low Hanging Fruit

From the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac policy conference:

When Neal Peirce, Chairman of The Citistates Group, presented about how other regions of the country/world make progress, he related the story of how Chicago has made progress.

Chicago and the surrounding metro area consistently pick the "low hanging fruit". That is, Mayor Daly, other politicians, business, and non-profits identify what is the low hanging fruit that they all can agree on ---- then go and get that accomplished.

Over time, trust and partnerships were formed that allowed the region to take on greater and more complex issues. That is KEY. Doing the work together, building on each success leads to greater trust. Trust -- the essential ingredient to progress.

When I talk with individuals here and back home, a phrase I often hear is, 'there is so much opportunity'. That is, there is a great deal of 'low hanging fruit' and we are just now seeing the region finding ways to consistently pick it.

Campus Martius, MLB All Star Game, Super Bowl XL, Detroit Riverfront, United Way's 211, Wayne County Health Authority...

The question becomes: Can we transfer that ability to get 'base hits' into a long term skill/capacity to take on the many complex issues facing the region?

I think the answer is yes.

China and Our Community

From the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac policy conference:

Jack Perkowski, Chairman and CEO of ASIMCO Technologies, spoke today about his personal journey in establishing a company in China over a decade ago. He had never set foot in China prior to his decision to embark on his second career after 20 years on Wall Street. Today, he operates one of the most successful western owned companies in China.

Among the many things he shared, there was a perspective that I thought might be helpful for all of us to keep in mind as we look to navigate our choppy waters in southeastern Michigan.

He said there are two rules in China: ONE -- Everything is possible.

TWO -- Everything is difficult.

There is a sense of possibility. Yes, we can do it. But, expect it to be difficult. As southeastern Michigan works in new way across borders and cultures, those two rules might be worthwhile to keep front and center. Believe a new story can be written. Believe it to be possible. And expect that work to be difficult. If a country the size and complexity of China can find new paths to a different future, might we believe our region can as well?

UPS by Horse

From the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac policy conference:

I know UPS through a couple of perspectives. Like you, the company you can trust to get your package to a location on time. Dependable. Professional. Always prompt.

I also know of UPS as one of the very best community citizens in the United States. I see it in how they help with not just United Way, but with many organizations and communities. They don't just donate time, they commit time and talent to improve community.

As I walked from the dock to the hotel on the island, I smiled as I saw a UPS employee, dressed in the traditional brown uniform, snapping a horse forward with a trailer in tow with its packages to be delivered by the end of the day. It might be the only place in America that a UPS package is delivered by horse.

I thought it would make a great commercial. UPS doing what it had to in order to honor its commitment. But when I saw the UPS driver (rider?), I also thought about the commitment of an institution not only to its customers, but to its community. No matter where that may be.

The Old English D

From the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac policy conference:

Like all things in life, there are a vital few individuals who make things happen. One person who has played a key role for the Makinac conference and the chamber is Cindy Paske.

Cindy Pasky, CEO of Strategic Staffing Solutions Inc, is serving as the chair of the board for the Detroit Regional Chamber. After a year of service, she will complete her final two days in that role here at Mackinac Island. I have seen her dashing between activities and meetings, always with energy and enthusiasm. I am often struck at the commitment of individuals like Cindy--- a deep conviction to make this city and region better...stronger. And like most things in life, there is always a story behind that commitment.

For example, go to the web site of Cindy's company (www.strategicstaff.com) and take a look at the logo. For the longtime Detroiters, do you know notice anything familiar? When Cindy was a young girl growing up in Detroit, her father took her to the opening day of the Tigers every year. I would imagine she would describe it as some of her most cherished memories. When it came time to launch her very own company based in the City of Detroit, she chose the old English font of the Tigers and the color to match the seats at Tiger stadium.

So when I see Cindy leading in community, helping make this event, this region stronger, I think about someone who cares deeply about the people who live and work in the Southeastern Michigan. She expresses it in big and small ways. Started and keeps her company -- now an international one -- headquartered in Detroit. She works hard at growing her company while committing time to local non-profits that strengthen the region. Simply, she doesn't just observe, rather, she fully engages and participates.

When someone suggested she should update the company logo, she just politely said no. That logo means something; it stands for something. And I would imagine her father would find great delight in seeing the girl he took to the games leading the region to a better place. From my view here at Mackinac and back home in southeastern Michigan, we are all fortunate to have her presence and leadership.

Bloggers give us their take on Mackinac proceedings

Not going to the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac policy conference? Crain’s Detroit Business has recruited some of the best and brightest attendees to write blogs from the island, including Michael Brennan, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

Click here to find out more about the conference and to learn more about the other bloggers.