By Tom Gibson, CEO, MCI USA 

I’m writing this brief trip down memory lane on December 1st, an anniversary date second only to my wedding anniversary in terms of personal meaning. It was 32-years ago today, December 1, 1989, that I entered my sparingly furnished downtown Washington DC office that launched a dream. My family and friends thought me crazy, leaving a secure, well-paying position with a large trade association I’d co-founded to launch an entrepreneurial venture I’d named Association Management Bureau (AMB). Indeed, it was crazy … crazy smart because now, 32 years later, this leap of faith has enriched my life and livelihood in unimaginable ways.   

Over the succeeding years, AMB morphed into Coulter Companies, giving us a more robust platform under which to diversify and grow. In 2015, we become a key chapter in MCI’s global expansion story, further unlocking new opportunity … and new adventure.   

To this day, my chief responsibility is to strategically look forward … but on this day each year, I reflect on this history to again consider what I’ve learned. I’ll share in summary form of what I consider to be the most universally true of these learnings, in a Top 10 format, some of which I’ve written about before and all of which my closest colleagues (and increasingly, those who take part in the Tuesday’s With Tom small group virtual lunch series) have heard me say.   

10. If you do what you say, excuses are unnecessary.
9. Agency life is rarely easy but never boring.
8. Great colleagues enrich every aspect of our life.
7. People smell bullshit; they feel authenticity.
6. If you climb down the ladder to fight, win or lose, you always lose.
5. Bad news early; good news late.
4. In the race between intelligence and wisdom, wisdom wins.
3. Don’t just leave dreaming for when you sleep.
2. Crystallize your life’s defining moments and understand their impact.
1. Extraordinary things in our lives most often happen on the periphery so maintain a wide field of vision.

And one bonus observation: The rule is golden for good reason.   

These are simple learnings and rules I work hard to follow and help define my Why. Likewise, I encourage you to take time over the coming holiday break to enjoy and celebrate all that’s good and positive in your life while setting aside time to reflect in ways that enable you to revel your best self.   

Wishing for you a happy and safe holiday and I look forward to seeing all of you (hopefully in person) in the New Year.