Be Your Best

What is the President of DEE, Todd Gifford doing with George Foreman, 2-Time Heavy Weight World Champion?

Todd Gifford, President of DEE, with George Foreman

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting George Foreman recently, first known as 2-Time World Heavy Weight Boxing Champion, but also well known to many for his Lean-Meaning Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine — that virtually every household has at least one of.  Many do not know that George is the oldest man to become Heavy Weight Champion of the World at age 45, and was an Olympic Gold Medalist in Boxing.  It was a great honor to be around him, as well as hear him speak.  Most think of George Foreman as a “Boxing Champion” or “the guy who promotes his fat-reducing grills” or the “the famous guy who named all of his sons ‘George’” — but I will tell you that George is a very special individual that I picked up a number of important lessons from, and that everyone can learn from.  George’s story is a good one to look at, as he was truly a self-made success coming from very humble beginnings.  The big over-riding thing that strikes you about George Foreman, besides the fact that his hands are 3 times that size of mine, is that he oozes positive energy.  The moment you are in his presence and then hear him start talking to you immediately makes you smile and feel positive.  This is something he is very conscious about and has always been — he loves people.  George said that his family was so poor growing up, that they couldn’t even afford the “o” and the “r” — they were just “Po”.  It is well known that he named all 5 of his sons “George”, but what is not well known is why.  Here is what he said about it: “Have you heard of Mohammed Ali, Ken Norton, Joe Frazier, and Evander Holyfield?  If you had all these guys punching you in the head, how many names could you remember?”  George espoused a number of important principles that have guided him to his success and fame.  He strongly feels that you have to believe that every step you take is right at that time — don’t be scared, be hungry.  He also said ‘listen to old people, they know” and “when you give your best, you cannot be beaten.” But, one of the really big points he mentioned that I felt was very important to me, my family, our employees, and my friends was: “you may not be the fastest person, the smartest person, or the prettiest person, but you can always be the nicest person.”  This is a pretty profound principle George mentioned if you think about it.  How nice and likeable you are is 100% completely within your control on a daily basis.  And how big of an impact on your career and life can this point have?  I also thought it was interesting when asked what his most proud achievement was in his life thus far, George said “my 25 years of marriage.”  George Foreman has accomplished some amazing things, but a common thread in all the ingredients of his success are fundamental things we can all do every day.

Take Care, Todd

Todd Gifford
President
DEE Electronics