In 1994, just after graduating from college, I was asked to address a crisis situation. The two-year catalog was due in 12 months; the prior 16 months hadn't seen enough progress and the person responsible was let go. Because I had taken on extra tasks learning DBase to bring needed reporting functionality to one of our systems I was approached to see what I could do. I took the job and immediately found out the truth: there was no usable work done on the catalog.

Over the next 10 months I led a team of five people. I personally created a data entry program in DBase to allow team members to enter all product information. Additionally I created a FoxPro program to read all the data and generate catalog content and new author and category indexes. I worked with graphics teams and others on color inserts and with photographers to image and digitally archive all products for future catalogs (a huge step at that time). The net result: the catalog was completed on time, under budget, with thinner quality paper allowing for more content in half the size saving on shipping and other costs.

Since that time and throughout my career I have done what is necessary to get the job done. That is the bottom line. No matter how many teams or projects I have led, how much technical experience I have, or how much drive and passion I have to succeed, without the right attitude and willingness to make things happen, it's all pointless. And whether it's reading every book on skills or leadership I can get my hands on, creating sites like this one, starting and running my own business, or partnering with others, the evidence to that attitude is powerful and undeniable: I will get things done.