We all know Coronas as that delightful Mexican beer that goes down an absolute treat on a hot day, especially with a little bit of lime in the top. They are standard in Mexico, kind of like a VB or XXXX, but here they are considered a “top shelf” beer.
Late last year I was given the opportunity to come down to Ray White NSW in Sydney and find out what would be involved in the role of Chief Auctioneer. I have since decided to take up this opportunity and I’m living in Sydney and loving it but on this trip I was just getting the lay of the land and talking to people.
One day I was on an office visit with the CEO of Ray White Corporate NSW, Stephen Nell. It was late afternoon, about 5:30, and the Principal offered us a beer and we of course accepted. Three beers were put on the table – a Carlton Cold, a Tooheys New and a Corona. I was given the option to pick first and straight away I picked the Corona as it is my favourite beer and was the best on offer by far. The CEO was amazed and pointed out, not in a rude way, how times had changed and that there is no respecting your elders. He said that if the situation had been reversed he never would have picked the Corona.
I thought about this for a millisecond and took a very quick sip of the Corona so neither Stephen nor the Principal could have it.
Now, the whole point to this story is that as a generation, we do respect our elders a great deal. We know that we can learn a lot from them. However, this does not mean we are going to let them have our favourite beer or stop us speaking up when we think something is wrong. Although they have the experience, we can often offer a fresh perspective on things and we should never underestimate the value of that.
In my opinion I think it is really important to know exactly what it is you want in business and life and if you go for it you will be amazed how many times you will get it. At the end of the day I know what it is I want and where I am going and, when a choice of beers is in front of me, I will always take the Corona.
February 16, 2010
Sammy, you’re making me thirsty. Mate, opportunites will normally only present themselves once & sometimes you have to be prepared to do things that may appear selfish or make you unpopular.
Stay focussed, because whilst you’re achieving your goals there will be other times where you can shout them all Coronas.
February 17, 2010
Interesting perspective. I can see both sides of this issue. On one hand, you want to take exactly what you want when you want it because opportunity may not come knocking twice. On the other hand, respect shown to elders can lead to other, greater opportunities.
February 17, 2010
Sammy, to ‘know what you want’ is the hardest part. If it’s beer, that’s an easy one but as life or generational question, that’s a tough one.
February 17, 2010
Interesting article Sammy. On one hand I thought go for it, but then I stopped for a moment and thought how much your article reminded me of the young bull & the old bull story.
Whilst you may have had a small win in the negotiation now, sometimes it’s better to make small concessions along the way which builds deposits in people’s emotional bank accounts & as Chanelle says, “can lead to other, greater opportunities.”
I encourage you to go after what you want, but give in to small concessions from time to time and you will find that the people who can help you achieve your goals (especially mentors & role models) will go out of their way to help you.
December 16, 2010
The upstart, grabby, me-first attitude of the GenY is epitomised by this article.
A generation of takers. What exactly do you contribute to society ?
Gen Y have no class, no respect, no people skills and no humility or tact.
Did you also chew gum while you took the beer ? I suppose on your way to the meeting you cut a dozen people off in the traffic and didn’t offer a wave to say thanks either.
Hopefully the next GenZ will balance out the shortcomings of the Gen-Y nothing-generation Yers that came before them.
I am a Gen X and I was happy to earn my stripes in the business world and I got a long way by respecting people that had earned theirs before me.
I wouldn’t take the beer. You reap what you sow. People don’t forget things like that and these things have a funny way of getting you back. You get the beer, but you lose the respect.
You just don’t get it.
April 10, 2013
I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again