We’re using the “being good isn’t always easy” wordplay for the 2017 Drunk Unkles industry fundraiser theme, but it’s a theme that rings true in business and personal lives as well – and for more than a few reasons. (It is, of course, also the second verse of a tune played by the Drunk Unkles, but it’s more importantly a metaphor for how we should look at work and life.)
In the song, “being good isn’t always easy” ends with “no matter how hard I try,” which is fitting for us as professionals as well. Even when you try hard, being good is difficult in this industry. Being good to each other, in business, technically, health-wise – they’re all “good,” but not easy to practice.
Years ago, I could argue that nearly anyone could have success if they were technically competent. Today, that has all changed. Change happens so fast; we face so many business challenges that being good may not even be enough. We all have to try harder than ever before to survive.
In everyday life, we face temptations: taking shortcuts, reducing training, breaking promises, not developing or educating our employees, sticking with bad habits, being okay with a poor work ethic, following short-term thinking over best practices, etc.
Every day we face conflicts; we have to fight past the “easy” to get to the “good.” For example, it can be time-consuming to wade through pools of applications, schedule and conduct interviews, call references, administer tests for technical proficiency, and have internal discussions about who the best candidates are for your organization. You’re busy, your team is busy, and an open position means that work isn’t getting done – it’s tempting to cut out the important stuff and just get a body in the building to do the work. But that can lead to problems later.
When preparing bids, it can be tempting to just choose to provide a different product as opposed to what you had originally planned to provide – for the exact same dollar amount. But substituting products “as equal” is a big risk during the submittal phase if you’re not sure whether the product will be approved.
I’ve gotten to know the members of the Drunk Unkles – believe me, they are the “good” Unks. They may want us to believe that they’re badass, hard-core rockers, but they are kind and generous, very professional and hardworking, and have raised more than $1 million dollars for the NSCA Education Foundation. There’s a lot more “halo” than “horns” with this band – no matter what they tell you (and no matter what this year’s Drunk Unkles logo looks like).
Being a good integration industry professional isn’t easy. It takes hard work, paying your dues, practicing and overcoming failures, and learning from mistakes. But “being good” always comes with big payoffs and rewards.
P.S. We hope to see you on June 14 as the Drunk Unkles kick off InfoComm at B.B. King’s Blues Club in Orlando. Get your tickets now! -Chuck Wilson, NSCA Executive Director