Mark Albion - Making a Life, Making a Living: Reclaiming Your Purpose and Passion in Business and in Life

MAKING A LIFE, MAKING A LIVING. Copyright 2000 by Mark S. Albion and Wordworks, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

Warner Books

Hachette Book Group

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New York, NY 10017

A hardcover edition of this book was published in 2000 by Warner Books.

Visit our website at www.HachetteBookGroup.com.

ISBN: 978-0-446-93061-1

First eBook Edition: June 2000

To Amanda,
who has taught me
about compassion for others,

and

Nicolette,
who has taught me
about passion and enthusiasm.

The world is full of willing people,
some willing to work, the rest willing to let them.

ROBERT FROST

For my twenty-first birthday, family friends took me to Switzerland on a ski vacation. It was my first trip to Europe, and I was not disappointed.

The skiing was great. One sun-drenched day, older brother Paul and I skied into Italy. A local bus picked us up to take us back to the lifts so we could return to Switzerland. The bus never made it.

The driver stopped the bus in the middle of the road, got out, and sat down outside a tavern for a drink of wine. We were told that he felt it is too beautiful a day to drive a bus. It is a day to enjoy the sun and the air, the sky and the mountains, the life all around us.

The passengers got off the bus, rocked it from side to side, and tipped it over, leaving it in the middle of the street. Paul and I got our skis and walked the several miles back to the lift. It was a wonderful hike, a special daytime we would never have shared if not for that bus drivers crazy priorities.

That day I was told of an old Italian expression: Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back into the same box. Its an expression I have never forgotten.

I would like to acknowledge that bus driver. His attitude toward life as an expression of joyous love is one we can easily lose sight of in our busyness. His inspiration led me to backpack around the world the next year and try to write my first book. It only took another twenty-seven years for that book to be published!

I am interested in why the apple falls.
The company wants me to catch it and make applesauce.

H. J. SHAW

Helen Rees gave me the opportunity to do this book. She talked with Larry Kirshbaum, president of Warner Books, who was willing to give us an advance without one word written. He then brought us executive editor Rick Wolff, who instantly understood what this book was about. He has been a true compass for me when I lose my way.

Helen then introduced me to Donna Carpenter, chief executive officer of Wordworks, Inc. Donna brought in Martha Lawler to manage the project and Maurice Coyle to help structure my thinking. It was a mysterious process for this novice, but Donna made sense out of my ramblings, put poetry into my phrases. James Joyces wife once challenged him,Why dont you write books people can read? Clearly he didnt have Donna Carpenter.

This book would not have been possible without the chapter subjectsmy personal heroes. They opened their private lives to help us learn more about ourselves.

In particular, Judy George and Mike Barr have personally mentored me through this stage of my middlessence.They continue to dedicate their energy to my success. Elliot Hoffman has made me face lifes biggest questions. Nick Gleason represents what our young, best, and brightest can do. And what can I say about Leni Joyce, my mother? Its wonderful to be forty-eight years old and still have someone who truly worries about you every day.

If men can run the world, why cant they stop
wearing neckties? How intelligent is it to start the day
by tying a little noose around your neck?

LINDA ELLERBEE

All of this work really began with my introduction in 1989 to the Social Venture Network (SVN) by Geralyn White-Dreyfous. That organization and its spin-offs today span the globe. They exist in large part because of the efforts of Josh Mailman.

Josh has given his time and resources to create and sustain these organizations at critical times. I believe he has done as much as anyone of my generation to promote socially responsible business around the world.

Others in SVN have inspired me. Most notable is my good friend Jerry Gord, who has challenged every belief I have felt sure of and usually argued me into the ground. Bob Dunn has displayed the energy that ultimately led to developing one of our most successful organizations, Businesses for Social Responsibility. And Doris Cadoux, Arno and Evelyn Jaffe, Walter Link, and Rena Shulsky have been special friends in times of doubt and need.

One of SVNs offspring, Students for Responsible Business (SRB), connected me with young people who reignited my passion for business and service. In particular, Ron Gerrans has supported me in many ways, first as an MBA candidate at Wharton, today as an adviser on the world of his generation. I am glad to see my good friend Peter Patch now involved with SRB.

My grandfathers a little forgetful, but he likes to give me
advice. One day, he took me aside and left me there.

RON RICHARDS

Grandparents Nathan and Anne Cohen taught me about values and community responsibility. Most important, they taught me about love and how it feels to be completely loved.

My wife, Joy, is her namesake for those lucky enough to know her. For over twenty years she has allowed me the space and given the support I need to be, as my father once said of my nature,predictably unpredictable.

It is true that the observation Your manuscript is both good and original, but the parts that are good are not original, and the parts that are original are not good came from Samuel Johnson. But it could have come from my close and trusted friend Deb Imershein.

Deb began this journey with me in 1997 (or did it start in college in 1972?), with unexpected results. We went our separate ways after a yearfor the better, as we each needed to find our own path. She continues to be my guiding light, a mirror for my soul, and a blessing to all she touches.

Two Brazilian women of petite size but powerful carriage have had an impact without knowing. Eva Passos, who helps maintain the livability of our home, told me during one of my days of despair, Dont worry. This will all work out. You do good things for people. It will come back to you.

Cousin Sara Klabin has connected me to a branch of my family I learned of only in my twenties and to a legacy that reaffirms my values and beliefs.

Life may have no meaning. Or, even worse,
it may have a meaning of which I disapprove.

ASHLEIGH BRILLIANT

As I mention in chapter 3, I feel particularly blessed to have met Rabbi Henry and Barbara Zoob. They have created an inclusive community at Temple Beth David that has brought new meaning and joy into my familys life. The members of our Saturday morning Bible study group have inspired much of my writing the past four years.

Each Saturday my friends and I question the lessons of the teachings, accepting nothing at face value. Jon Stewart said it well:Thou shall not kill. Thou shall not commit adultery. Dont eat pork. Im sorry, what was that last one? Dont eat pork. God has spoken. Is that the word of God, or is that the pigs trying to outsmart everybody?

On one thing we do agree: Gods grace is everywhere. I have often thought that if Id been born in another country or another time, I might still be a business school professornot allowed to leave something I was pretty good at to try to find my way. I am thankful for that divine opportunity.