Being a Hero
February 28th, 2008
A few months ago, I was interviewed for a book to be published by Wiley. Due out next month, Online Marketing Heroes is a collection of interviews with 25 search industry professionals. The book features some very sharp minds, and I am truly honored to have been included amongst such an illustrious group. I had a fantastic time doing the interview, and have an entire chapter devoted to my experience in running online businesses. If you are so inclined, I’d encourage you to grab a copy.
Yesterday, one of the interviewees, Lee Odden, was good enough to ask a handful of us for a recap of our interviews so that he could help to spread word of the book’s launch. As is often the case, one person’s good news is another’s excuse to lash out. After Lee’s post a comment rolled in on what a lame and self-congratulatory group we are. Sheesh - get a grip. We were all individually approached to provide an interview for a book on online marketing. I don’t think anybody was paid (I wasn’t), and we all spent time to try to provide interested parties with insight into marketing online. And we didn’t pick the name of the book…
But for the record - I am a hero. But not because Wiley claims I am. I’m a hero to my daughter when I sit down and help her with her science homework, or when I try to calm her down after an argument with her friend. I’m a hero to my son at t-ball practice, or when I teach him to use his words and not his hands. I’m a hero in my community when I volunteer or go out of my way to help a neighbor. I’m a hero at my organization when I set a good example or steer my people down the proper path.
Lastly, I’m a hero because I celebrate other’s accomplishments and successes, not hate them for it.
