
Emery Kertesz III. June 10, 1956-January 29, 2021
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This is the fifth (and last) part in a series about my late partner, Emery Kertesz. He died on January 29, 2021 at the all-too-young age of 64.
Because he lived with a chronic disease, Emery knew his prognosis was uncertain and he was likely to die prematurely.
He was passionately devoted to his wife, Sheila, and his two sons, Austin and Joe. For the past 10 years, we discussed our succession plan. About a year ago, I asked him how confident he was that our business could survive his death.
His response was: “100%”
What’s the difference?
Emery was conscious of his mortality and planned for it. What’s the difference between his situation and the rest of us?
We know we are going to die. None of us know when.
Emery used his disease to meticulously prepare a succession plan. What’s our excuse if we don’t do the same?
Emery had a number of sayings (which I call “Emeryisms”) that guided his approach to succession planning and his management style
Emeryisms: Contingency planning
Interacting with Emery was like playing three-dimensional chess. He was always many steps ahead of you.
If you have two, you have one,
if you have one, you have none
Emery’s back-up plans had back-ups. We powered through the Great Recession and the pandemic because we were debt-free and light on our feet. He used to say, “We are a canoe. Our competitors are aircraft carriers. Who do you think can pivot faster?”
In investing terms, Emery didn’t believe in “concentration risk.”
We have many distribution channels.
We have many suppliers.
We have many customers.
No one aspect of our business is dependent on any one company or source.
Emeryisms: management style
Here are some Emeryisms that guided his management style.
If you can’t get out of it, get into it.
Emery had little tolerance for whining and bemoaning your fate. If we were stuck with a situation from which we couldn’t extricate, he focused on making the best of it.
Attitude is altitude
I’ve never known anyone with a more positive attitude than Emery. He was driven to succeed. He regarded obstacles as challenges to be overcome. He wasn’t consumed with self-doubt.
We may have to go over the mountain, around
the mountain, or through the mountain,
but we will get to the other side of the mountain.
Emery focused his energy on “getting to the other side of the mountain,” no matter what it took. His military background served him well. He would always tell me, “Failure to fulfill the mission is not an option.”
In a similar vein, he was fond of saying, “If you find yourself lost and wandering in nothingness without hope, destination or purpose, just keep taking the next step and eventually you will find yourself somewhere new beyond the horizon.”
A great leader shows and doesn’t tell
Emery played his cards close to his chest. He set an example. We all followed. He never bragged or even mentioned his achievements. He didn’t have to. They spoke loudly for him.
No matter how bad it gets, remember that
there is always someone who
has it worse. If you can find them,
and lend them a hand, both of
your burdens will get lighter.
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Emery had a tough exterior. You didn’t want to get on his bad side. He was a physically imposing figure. He told me that, before his illness, he “had the fat content of a brick.”
His tough-guy demeanor masked a kindness and decency that was inspiring. He never met anyone he didn’t want to help. His many acts of compassion were often done anonymously, which is consistent with his self-deprecating character.
Emery’s sons are running our business, along with our talented, devoted employees, and doing a great job. They tell me they have trained their whole life for this moment.
And they were trained by the best.
Dan trains executives and employees in the lessons based on the research of his latest book, Ask: How to Relate to Anyone. His online video course, Ask: Increase Your Sales. Deepen Your Relationships, is in production.
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