Shift The Narrative — Story of An Unsung Hero
I recently completed my book SIMPLE written by Barry L. Cross on corporate innovation, highlighting the importance of killing complexity for a lean and agile organization. There are several fascinating true stories in the book. He posted the last story on the last page of the book about Russell Redenbaugh, the author of the book “Shift the Narrative”. I want to share Russell’s story today.
Russell was born on 14 July 1945 in Salt Lake, Utah. After completing his high school diploma, he studied Banking, Finance, Economics and graduated first in his class from the University of Utah. From there, he applied to various MBA programs but was denied by the likes of Harvard and Stanford. He did accept the rejection and decided to apply to at third best university — Wharton School. He flew to Philadelphia and meet in person with the administration and was accepted. Two years later, he graduated sixth in the class two years.
After graduation, he applied to many places for jobs and had forty-nine job interviews, but did not get a single offer. Cooke & Bieler, a small investment consulting company in Philadelphia, eventually hired him as an analyst. By the early 1970s, he was a partner at the firm and by 1980, he was its Chief Investment Officer. He served the company for more than 3 decades (1969–2000) and In between, he served as Commissioner with U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (1990–2006). He was also the CEO and Chairman of a software company in Silicon Valley— Action Technologies. He also started his own management and investment advisory firm — Karios Capital Partners.
At the age of 50, his personal trainer introduced him to Brazilian jiu-jitsu (martial art). He got interested in jiu-jitsu and started his training with many of the masters of the sports. Eventually, he decided to compete in the World jiu-jitsu championship in Brazil and won three world championships in 2003, 2004, and 2005 in his weight category, and silver medal in 2004 and 2005 in the unlimited weight category. He earned a red stripe designation in 2015, which is above the black belt. Russell is currently running his own philanthropy -The Russell G. Redenbaugh Foundation.
It is such an inspiring story. One important part of Russell’s life, however, I missed. During his teenage years, he got inspired by the message of President Kennedy’s declaration that “We will put a man on the moon and bring him back alive in a decade”. He was passionate about building model rockets and decided to build a solid-state rocket during summer break. Sadly, the fuel was kindled and the rocket exploded, taking a few fingers away. At the age of 17, he lost his first eye and ultimately both eyes. Blind for life, he was declared.
Yeah, without his eyesight, he accomplished all in life, but in competition with sighted opponents. When doctors declared that he will be blind for life. He made a declaration, what will he not be? He decided that he would not be dependent on anyone and would not accept this as his fate. He would take action and pursue his dreams without any hesitation. At the time of admission, the dean of The Wharton School told him, “You’re admitted, and if you can’t make it here, you will have to leave.” At every stage, nothing prevents him from fulfilling his dream and making a new statement.
I would like to end this section by quoting these words “You know Russell, whenever I think I’m up against something too hard in life, I think of you.”
Russell shared the life lessons that helped him cope with all obstacles in his life. He shared his key learning in the book — Shift the Narrative. Some of the important lessons from his book are:
- After the accident, he set his own SMART (specific, measurable, actionable, results-oriented, timely) goals. You should remain focused on your SMART goals and should not let your narrative hold them back. Create a narrative that takes you where you want to go?
- He stressed that narratives are the stories we tell ourselves. We are using them to identify with whom we wish to connect because the deepest human need is belonging. Russell shared the valuable lessons to teach the value of money at an early age.
- He challenges the principle of Diversification. Diversification is what you do when you don’t know what to do.
- Our creativity and imagination can help us to achieve success. Russell mentioned that if you can’t first imagine something as a possibility for your life then it’s unlikely it will ever happen.
- Action always improves the mood. We feel bad and restless when we don’t take any action.
- Russell highlighted that an improved mood can open possibilities for new actions. However, the mood at both extremes, positive and negative, clearly clouds judgment.
- I loved his words about Declaration. A powerful declaration helps to define clear action and also close the possibilities that are not consistent. A powerful declaration should be made public, should be specific, and realized through actions with measurable results. He emphasized the importance of sticking to one idea. The world rewards the person who sticks with a single idea and pursues it relentlessly.
- To be successful, one should develop the habit to say NO. It is in our human nature to say “yes” repeatedly until we are finally completely overcommitted.
- Promises are powerful and allow us to coordinate our actions with others. It is very important to adopt “Promise strategies” — Listen for promises and be aware of making promises in all conversations.
- It is important to find a mentor in life. However, it is easy to find good mentors than mentees. There is a shortage of good mentees, one who is ready to surrender.
- He highlighted the core difference between “Maxi-max Strategy” (maximize your maximum return) compared to “Mini-max strategy” (minimize your maximum regret). Prepare for a bad outcome and hope it doesn’t happen.
I strongly recommend reading his book.
Quotes from Russell
Purgatory is a profoundly frustrating place to live. I don’t recommend it at all if you can avoid it.
Action always produces a better mood. It’s inaction and inactivity that are painful. Moving from inaction to action always improves your mood.
Disabled is disabled for many who don’t see a difference.
Many people drift in their stories without resisting or asking questions.
Declarations fueled by action are the tools needed to shape anyone's life narrative.
A declaration always opens and closes possibilities. If your declaration is to be independent, the possibility of goofing off at the beach all year s inconsistent and therefore ruled out.
When Plan A does not work out, keep going because there are twenty-five other letters in the alphabet.
When the odds are against you and obstacles being thrown from many directions, having strong, clear declarations is what makes giving up on your narrative shift.
The universe tends to oppose bold declarations; the bolder they are, the more powerful the obstacles thrown in our path.
You teach that which you most need to learn. The best way to learn something is to teach it to someone who has no idea what you are talking about.
Success takes a decade, failure can happen sooner. Success often requires overcoming your natural instincts, fears, reactions, and prejudices.
We learn more from our failures than from our victories.Shifting your narrative requires a willingness to be wrong.
Moving against your emotions is also what is required to be a successful investor.
Shifting your narrative means writing a story of what can and can not exist. You can be the author of your narrative.
Life will be better once you assume that you cause everything that happens to you.
When you create declarations that define what is forbidden, requried or allowed, you are painting a picture of what is acceptable and what is not.
Successful people are excellent at closing possbilities. That’s the nature of choice — when you choose one, it eliminates others.
A promise is a commitment between two people who undertand what a promise is.
