The O'Leary Factor

From the time that I was old enough to participate in organized sports, I've had the privilege of having been around the best players of my generation. Today many of us are far removed from being those players and organized sports. With the boom of social media, we've reconnected in recent years. However, in the quiet moments of life, there are some who have found themselves struggling with identifying with others in society that don't work or play hard like our old teammates.

I've had this conversation my friend/business partner David as we talk about what it takes to build a good team. I believe we both agree that it's one of the most challenging tasks of life and entrepreneurship. Fortunately for me, I've had tremendous influences around my entire life. Most of which have helped me identify great talent and great people.

Several months ago on a flight to New Orleans, I met what I believed to be another great talent. He stood about 6 foot 7 inches, a former college basketball player and current entrepreneur. Naturally with us both being tall, we sat in the seats with the most leg room. Little did I know that I was sitting beside one of my teammates from a different generation.

His name was Dan O'Leary, twenty years my senior, he and I seemed to share like views on our paths of success. Serving as the President & CEO of EDGEN MURRAY, a company that specializes in the world's greatest steels. Mr. O'Leary appears to have found the formula that holds most great companies together. Honesty and sincerity. He and I chatted for the better of an hour or so, but it seemed like two days. It felt like I was taking a Master's course in "Common Sense Business Development". Needless to say, everything that he taught me with his thirty plus years in business, increased my learning curve by ten.

So for those of you that aspire to be successful business owners, keep your eyes and ears open. There's an "O'Leary Factor" right in front of you. Ironically, Mr. O'Leary was returning from the Master's in Augusta, Georgia. Augusta is the place where my journey began as a professional football player.

Best wishes to all of you that read this post.

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