Last Place? Doesn’t Matter.

As the debate rages on about the PASS election I want to share my thoughts about being a candidate that was eliminated and the fact that scores were released to the public.

First I want to thank everyone who has supported me both publicly and privately throughout the election process.  I had support and advice from many members of the community and it is appreciated and I hope to continue working with you.

This year’s election process is the first where the applicants’ scores and applications have been released to the public which I believe is the right thing to do.  Here are the links to the scores:

• Average Application & Interview Scores & NomCom Vote – the first set of scores on this page are the application scores and at the bottom of the page are the interview scores along with the results of the NomCom vote.
• Per-criteria breakdown of the applications (PDF)
• Per-criteria breakdown of the interviews (PDF)

Honestly, it stinks to see my scores at or near the bottom.  Obviously being one of two interviewees to not be recommended, I knew I didn’t have high scores or a bunch of votes, but it would have been nice to have had a yes vote.  In the not too distant past, I would have been crushed by these results, but today I can say that I see this as an opportunity for professional growth.  These scores are guidance by seven intelligent and experienced professionals about areas where I can become a better leader.  How many people can say that they have that opportunity?

I’m a Bible believing Christian and try to live by the wisdom in the Bible.  Here are a couple of verses I read BEFORE the results were known:

“If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.”  Proverbs 15:31 NLT

“Valid criticism is as treasured by the one who heeds it as jewelry made from finest gold”  Proverbs 25:12 NLT

I think the scoring can be used constructively and is valid and I’d like to “at home among the wise” so I’m listening and trying to heed it.

So, in accordance with this attitude, I have reached out to members of the NomCom for advice about what I can do to improve my scores and make it through the next time (if there is one).  If you are a member of the NomCom and I did not contact you, feel free to contact me if you have anything you’d like to tell me.

When I consider who the other applicants were, I feel a bit like an Olympic athlete who trains hard and wants to win, but also realizes that it is an honor to be a part of the Olympics.  Two years ago, no one knew who I was and I had no desire to be a leader.  Now I’m disappointed because I didn’t make the cut to have a chance to be in a formal leadership position.  Fortunately as Seth Godin said in Tribes, (paraphrased by me) leadership isn’t about position, it’s about passion.  I didn’t get the position this year, but I still have the passion.  So I won’t be retreating, I’ll be advancing.