Guest Blog - Manny Martinez

This weeks guest blogger is Manny Martinez! A bit about Manny:

During a 30-year military Air Force career, Manny developed leaders and grew organizations to reach their highest potential, a passion he continues today as President of Relentless Leadership LLC – Crestcom. In this Interview, Andy and Manny talk about their leadership mistakes, and how to learn from them! 

Arthritis, My Leadership Mentor

“Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turned out.” -- Legendary basketball coach John Wooden. 

Eight years ago I was 40 years old, a successful senior leader in the U.S. Air Force, and in the best physical shape of my life. Crossfit king. Half-marathon runner. Weight room regular. 

Things turned out differently one morning, though. Like an earthquake suddenly splitting a mountain, my neck, back and shoulders unexpectedly began to hurt. The throbbing and soreness continued unabated for two months. 

Arthritis, my new friend, arrived like a diva stealing a Broadway show.

Corroding three vertebrae in my neck, arthritis insidiously affected each and every aspect of my life. When I sat too long...pain. Exercised too strenuously...pain. Placed undue pressure on my shoulders...pain. Worse yet, my arthritis flare ups tended to occur during work. I was a 23-year military leader in chronic pain...pitiful. 

You must understand: most servicemembers mask their illnesses. Any sign of physical weakness may spell career disaster: being passed over for leadership opportunities; cherished promotion chances diminished; doctors, medical review panels, and military commanders--not you--control your military destiny. 

After two years of putting up with pain at work...I decided to take a stand.

Standing up, rather than sitting down, mitigated my arthritis discomfort. At the time, I worked in an organization comprised of 60 military and civilian employees. We sat among modular furniture, cubicle country if you will. Since I felt little or no pain standing up, and mostly felt pain while sitting down, what could I change at work to relieve the anguish? How could I stand more and sit less?

I boldly reconfigured my textured walls, plastic partitions and particle board surfaces and created a primitive stand-up desk. 

This was 2013, mind you. Stand-up desks were not the rave they are today. I took a stand, literally, among 60 office people, by working on my feet 8 hours a day.

Initially my coworkers mocked me. “What the bleep did you do?” or, “There’s Manny, he’s a stand-up kinda guy”. Over time, however, the teasing and laughter stopped. Later, little by little, a few privately asked me, “Can you show me what you did? You see I have this pain…” while describing their chronic ailments, most shamefully, like whispering sins at confession. 

“Let me give you a tour!” I’d exclaim. 

“When you came into the office, I was already standing up. How professional is that?” 

“Do you feel the after lunchtime lull? Well, if you’re standing up you don’t get sleepy after your midday meal”

“Instead of standing up for 10 minutes since I’ve been sitting for 3 hours, I flipped it--let me sit for 10 minutes since I’ve been standing for 3 hours”

Soon I began helping colleagues reconfigure their desks and work spaces.

A wacky idea, a ridiculous notion, an opportunity for a cheap punchline quickly became an inspiring office sensation. We found common ground with our feet on the floor. Proud, energized, and upright at our desks, we grew into an unofficial arthritis support group. 

OK. What does arthritis have in common with leadership? Actually, A LOT!

Arthritis taught me three valuable leadership lessons: 

1. Leaders must be flexible and adaptable. 

I had to reinvent myself. It took effort to learn what worked for me physically. I wasn’t giving up fitness because I suffered from arthritis, but I couldn’t continue the old, painful workout routines. Half marathons? No...but...frequent 3-mile runs? Yes. Heavy plates in the weight room? No...but...fast paced workouts, lighter weights, and more reps? Yes. At the job I stood up whenever possible, as early in the day as possible, for as long as possible. I reserved sitting exclusively for executive meetings and office visits. 

In the same way, leaders stay relevant by adapting to current conditions and remaining flexible in organizational environments. Good leaders are mindful that the systems, tools, and techniques which worked yesterday may be stale, tired, and outdated today.  

2. Leaders face ridicule, especially when introducing new ideas. 

Leaders will be mocked. It comes with the territory.

Being the only one standing in cubicle country meant receiving cruel judgement, awkward stares, and sarcastic sneers. It takes a strong belief, focused perseverance and empathetic understanding to be respected and understood. In my case, I had to continue standing, day after day, with the belief that, in time, people would understand me. Though I knew I wouldn’t win everyone over (that is part of leadership, too), eventually most colleagues respected my idea. Many of them took the next step and believed my stand-up solution could benefit them as well.

3. Faking strength is not a hallmark of Leadership. 

It’s in sharing one’s vulnerability where leaders display real strength. Nobody’s perfect. Why pretend you’ve got your life together when the reality is, we all experience challenges from time to time? 

Had I pretended I didn’t have arthritis, I would have missed the opportunity to grow as a leader and positively influence my colleagues’ lives.

Arthritis allowed me to develop both the compassion and empathy required in leadership. As a leader, I needed to connect with my peers, subordinates and superiors just as much, if not more, than they needed to connect with me. I found true, transforming, personal connection in vulnerability.

Leaders struggle with physical illnesses. Leaders grapple with personal problems. Leaders even make mistakes. After all, leaders are human beings. Employees relate, emulate, and gravitate towards leaders who humbly express their humanity. 

Eight years later, thank God I still have arthritis. 

Once again, I’m in the best shape of my life. A different shape, yes, but better. And the 60 office coworkers? A year after my stand-up cubicle idea, my colleagues asked management to purchase adjustable stand-up desk platforms. Twenty people, one-third of the team, began using stand-up desks! The team became happier, healthier and more productive. 

Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out.