To Begin, An Explanation...

Recently I re-connected with my old partner-in-crime from AT&T. Back in the day, we patrolled the mean streets of Indiana, from Richmond to Terre Haute, looking for opportunities to offer up what we called “Strong Chili”.

Strong Chili, as my friend reminded me this week, was our catch phrase for any sort of powerful conversation, memorable event, or cut-to-the-chase sort of remark. The recipe for the rather strange metaphor was: If you were cooking an idea, you should offer “Strong Chili” – something memorable, and perhaps a little spicy. We believed the sweet illusion that we were the master chefs in the kitchen of our own destiny (hmm…what is “hyperbole”?). Marching through Indiana, we were not making foie gras or lobster bisque – but we did create some metaphorical Strong Chili on more than one occasion.

We tried to create memorable events in our work with customers, with our peers, and with each other – that was what we called “Strong Chili”. After all, would you be interested in weak chili? Perhaps a steaming bowl of …lame chili? Would you choose a piping hot cup, or a bowl, of Jackson County Fair ninth-place chili? No, of course not. Even if you don’t really like chili, if you are on the fence, please confirm or deny your opinion only after you have had some Strong Chili.

The greatest service we can do for one another is to be clear in our communication, in our intentions, and in our willingness to serve. This blog is my attempt to reflect upon these ideas, in the area of personal leadership, effective communications and personal branding. In other words, what I think of as “Strong Chili”.