Yes, this IS brain surgery!

A blog is a useful thing, not only because we can "air out" our thoughts, but also share unique experiences, even difficult ones. I believe that when we go through challenging times, we can use them to grow. Stress is often the mother of change.

This year is my tenth anniversary of major brain surgery. In the spring of 1998, I developed a pineal region (base of the brain) cyst. I was in intensive care for three weeks, having three major surgeries. They entered my head five different places to remove the benign cyst, and to insert, first a temporary, then a permanent shunt.

My recovery was a huge surprise, and rather devastating. I had to relearn not only much of the mental processes (expected), but many of the physical ones as well (not expected). Walking was difficult and stairs were initially out of the question. I couldn't even stand on one leg! It was amazing to me then how trauma to the brain could affect me physically.

I was blesssed with incredibly terrific doctors & nurses, people at work, friends and family. I recovered fully, but it took a full year to get back to normal physically. Mentally, it took 3 to 6 months.

As I look back, this was a major wake up call that I choose to basically ignore. After all, I was successful, had a good life, and was in the process of turning around the sales & marketing in my company. The surgery was just another obstacle that I would overcome. And yes, I did overcome it, but it would have been nice to do it with an extra dose of humility. Instead, I became all the more confident (or arrogant if you prefer).

I suspect most of you reading this are intelligent, driven, and successful business people. So am I. What I have come to learn, however, is that we only get better when we give much of the credit to others. We need to thank our maker for the talents we use, our team for supporting us, and our families for loving us.

What kind of a leader are you? Who receives the credit for the "win"? What will your children say about you when they're grown?