W. Brett Wilson - Redefining Success

REDEFINING

SUCCESS

REDEFINING

SUCCESS

STILL MAKING MISTAKES

W. BRETT WILSON

PORTFOLIO PENGUIN

an imprint of Penguin Canada

Published by the Penguin Group

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Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

First published 2012

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (RRD)

Copyright W. Brett Wilson, 2012

Jacket photographs Jason Stang, 2012

Interior photographs and associated text Cynthia Robinson and Aritha van Herk, respectively

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

Manufactured in the U.S.A.

LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION

Wilson, W. Brett, 1957

Redefining success : still making mistakes / W. Brett Wilson.

ISBN 978-0-670-06694-0

1. Success in business. 2. Work-life balance. 3. Quality of life.

4. Wilson, W. Brett, 1957. 5. Investment bankersCanadaBiography.

6. BusinessmenCanadaBiography. I. Title.

HF5386.W54 2012 650.1 C2012-905854-8

Visit the Penguin Canada website at www.penguin.ca

Special and corporate bulk purchase rates available; please see www.penguin.ca/corporatesales or call 1-800-810-3104, ext. 2477.

For my family

Contents

Thank You

Every book requires inspiration.

My key inspiration came first from those people on the roller coaster of my life journey, from my wonderful family, amazing personal friends and great business partners, to my loyal and dedicated staff. My second level of inspiration comes from a couple of dogs yup, dogswhose unconditional love and acceptance some days carried and inspired me more than they could ever know.

I thank those around me for patientlymostlytolerating my idiosyncrasies, enduring my habits and encouraging my dreams. I offer gratitude to each of Joni, Barb, Keith, Jeffrey, Robin, Emily and Jill for their respective and very different roles in bringing this book to reality. And to Hilaryme and two amazing pooches are most appreciative of all that you have done and do for us.

Not everyone important to me is named or mentioned in this book, nor can they be: space simply doesnt permit. But, that said, I am grateful to each of you for the role you have taken in influencing the course of my unique life.

You know who you are.

Thank you.

W. Brett Wilson

PS: Dad, I love you.

PPS: Mom, I miss you.

Foreword

by Joni Avram

Not many people of Bretts stature or profile are so strikingly honest or open about their mistakes. Even fewer would write a book disclosing so many of them.

As one who has worked with Brett for many years, I know that part of his magic is his willingness to lay it all out there. As Ive watched the ups and downs of his life from the sidelines, and helped him to grow in prominence on the national stage, I know that, more than anything, people connect with his humanity. While not everyone loves him, few would argue about the size of his heart. Its what motivates him to reveal things others would rather hide. And its what makes him one of the most influential people of our time.

You Have Two Minutes, Go!

I was first introduced to Brett through a mutual friend in late 2006. At the time, he was just becoming known for his philanthropic work. His name barely showed up on a Google search. I tried for months to get a meeting with him. I began to realize he really wanted me to just politely go away. Instead, I bought a ticket to one of his public events. All the way there, I tried talking myself out of such a bold move. Hes going to think Im stalking him! But I decided I had nothing to lose. I saw him walk in, gave him some time to settle in and then caught him alone when he ordered a Coke at the bar. I tapped him on the shoulder and introduced myself. He remembered me and while, gracious, he wasted no time. Okay, he said, you have two minutes.

Go! Nervous, I pulled my thoughts together and made my pitch about supporting his philanthropic work. I passed that quick test, but it was another month before the follow-up meeting at his FirstEnergy office. That meeting was also brief but he hired me that day. It was the beginning of one of the most inspirational journeys of my life.

Random Acts of Kindness

Ive now worked with Brett for more than five years. The concept behind Bretts serial philanthropy is simple: its about engaging others in the process of making the world better. Like Scrooge, who learned how to celebrate Christmas after years of miserliness, Brett seized the chance to encourage others to find significance (and happiness) within success after years of devoting the majority of his time to his business affairs.

There arent many philanthropists who would take the time to organize sixty friends on a late December night to help feed the hungry. But he does. Year after year. He visits a local womens shelter every Christmas Day morning to share baking and stories. He gives people a chance to see how easy it is to make a big difference in the lives of others, and he does it right alongside them, pouring coffee and bussing tables. Thats just one of the ways he plants seeds of inspiration in the hearts of others, and encourages them to follow his lead.

Tornadoes and Trailer Parks

For all the community work he does in private (which goes without notice) another side of Bretts philanthropy has been very public. I have sometimes joked that Brett is attracted to publicity the way tornadoes are attracted to trailer parks, but his enhanced profile has been strategic. Its one of the ways we have chosen to lever his social investments. As a hands-on philanthropist, he has not hesitated to show leadership. As Bretts fame has grown, so has his impact. Just ask any non-profit what its like to have Brett advance their cause and theyll tell you its like winning the lottery.

Some of what I most admire about Bretts work is what goes on behind the scenes. In addition to profile for the cause, Brett gives leaders in the non-profit space guidance on effective event design and marketing, challenges them to think beyond their current assumptions, and even makes his team available to support their efforts and enhance their effectiveness. Guests at his personal events often include war veterans, and the women and children living in shelters to escape abuse. The fact that Brett quietly includes them in his personal celebrations is another example of his generous heart. Bretts focus on people in every part of his life really is fundamental to his new definition of success.