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What’s Next by Craig Fuller

January 8, 2020 by Craig Fuller Leave a Comment

Beginning a new decade seems like the right time for serious reflection. And, over this holiday period just passed I did a good deal of reflection. For those on the planet over several decades, the perspective can be more than a little mind expanding regarding the path taken.

In my case:

1950 – It all started in 1950 and I arrived on February 16, 1951

1960 – Happily, one of a family of four living in Arcadia, California…soon to move to Walnut Creek, California

1970 – Into my freshman year at UCLA moving from a major in psychology to a major in political science

1980 – Engaged in a presidential transition after the election of Ronald Reagan as President which took me to the White House for eight years

1990 – Outside of government, enjoying the second year of the George H.W. Bush administration having served four years as his chief of staff while he was vice president and seeking the presidency; and, I entered my second year as the president of a wonderful public affairs firm in Washington, D.C.

2000 – Just beginning my tenure as the president of a large health care related association in Washington, D.C…..and, the initial version of FIRST MONDAY is launched

2010 – Entering my second year as the president of the world’s largest general aviation association based in Frederick, Maryland…flying 400 hours a year in all types of aircraft

2020 – Living with Maggie, my Weimaraner, on Trippe Creek in Easton, Maryland

So, during the holidays, what I reflected on most was the blessing of health and happiness after leading an interesting and fulfilling life up until now. And, like a lot of friends, I asked, “…what’s next.”

When looking at the mosaic of decades, I must confess that at the beginning of each I could never have forecast where I’d be ten years later. That in and of itself is a bit daunting when pondering the “what’s next” question. Still, a worthy inquiry I think, but it must be tempered by the knowledge that the effort relates more to focusing on a direction than on predicting a point upon which one will land in ten years’ time.

There certainly is a freedom as this decade begins quite unlike anything in my past, or at least if feels that way. Blessed with resources and great friends, the options are many.

As I reflected on this question of what comes next, two words became central to my thoughts: discovery and connection.

Discovering something is beyond just an experience. And, if you are fortunate, the “that which is discovered” becomes core to living your life for some extended period of time, if not throughout your life.

I discovered at a very early age that I loved being near water. Living in Southern California, the Pacific Ocean drew me early on as a young swimmer, as crew on a sailboat, as a scuba diver trained at UCLA and this attraction continues to this day.

On a family vacation while in high school, I discovered the thrill of flying in a small airplane. Today, I have a logbook describing nearly 6,000 hours of flying that includes piloting business jets to back country flying in two-seat aircraft. And, my interest in the promotion of aviation continues with business involvements involving flight simulators and the development of electric powered training aircraft.

While at UCLA, I came to appreciate art. I also developed an interest in history. Today, I find myself engaged in both on the Eastern Shore of Maryland serving on the boards of the Academy Art Museum and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

I also delight in photography and discovered a strong interest in photographing waterfowl here on the Eastern Shore as well as images from trips throughout the world. While government and business have taken me to well over sixty countries around the world, I now have a chance to really spend time in the places that are new as well as returning to places I desire to discover more thoroughly.

Clearly, one directional theme for the decade ahead of me is discovery!

As suggested, though, discovery is associated with the other concept I thought about, that of connection. Up until the later part of last year, I would have thought this meant a focus more on connecting with my brother in California and great friends now spread around the country. And, it most certainly does mean that. However, probably the best possible connection occurs with someone with whom you desire to share discoveries. And, in my case, the opportunity for such a connection is by far the best discovery at year’s end. Unexpected and wonderful and very much in the making, a connection with someone equally interested in sharing discoveries makes the beginning of a new decade look pretty exciting.

We will see what comes next, and with any luck at all, future commentaries will share a bit more about the discoveries ahead.

The best to one and all in this new year! May your discoveries and your connections be exciting and meaningful!

Craig Fuller served four years in the White House as assistant to President Reagan for Cabinet Affairs, followed by four years as chief of staff to Vice President George H.W. Bush. Having been engaged in five presidential campaigns and run public affairs firms and associations in Washington, D.C., he now resides on the Eastern Shore.

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It’s All About Skill, Not Will by Craig Fuller

December 2, 2019 by Craig Fuller Leave a Comment

The recent interview in the Spy with Dr. Stuart Ablon hit me as more than just a little insightful. So, I dug deeper with Dr. Ablon’s book, CHANGEABLE: How Collaborative Problem Solving Changes Lives at Home, at School, and at Work.

My first reaction to his interview caused me to wonder, “…how have so many been so wrong about discipline for such a long time?”

The suggestion in Dr. Ablon’s work is that research is actually clear when it comes to how to improve behavior, but mostly ignored, took me back to work I did a decade ago around flight training. It was difficult back then to comprehend a fact that 80% of people who became student pilots failed to complete the instruction necessary to become private pilots. Using Dr. Ablon’s language, how could thousands of people who possessed the will to fly, fail to learn the skills necessary to become a pilot?

The research we did at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) almost a decade ago is still relied upon to improve the flight training experience. The research revealed more than 40 factors that contribute to a successful flight training experience leading an individual to become a private pilot. The facts and the factors were clear. It was remarkable how so many simply elected to ignore them.

Truth is, finding subject matter experts who with experience and research challenge conventional thinking has always infatuated me. And, the more I watched Dr. Ablon’s video presentations and then read his book, the more I accepted a concept that, while I’ve embraced it most of my life, I’d never really thought about how broadly the collaborative problem solving approach could be applied.

The title tells the path that Dr. Ablon has traveled. His work started with so-called problem children. Young people with behavioral problems challenge parents and schools. And, the stakes are high because far too many troubled youth pose much larger problems as adults. So, what if the approach to discipline by a high percentage of parents, teachers, employers, prison guards and even health professionals is, well, wrong? And, by wrong I mean parents and professionals are adopting strategies that research and reality suggest will not work at any age or stage of an individual’s development.

What if, as Dr. Ablon suggests, young people do not lack the will to behave in acceptable ways, rather they lack the skills to cope with the situations in front of them? And, if it’s a matter of learning the skills – as in flying – can we get better at teaching the skills necessary for a successful and fulfilling life?

The more the reader follows the path Dr. Ablon and his team have been on, the more accepting – indeed, believing – you become that decades of experience and thousands of examples point the way to a better approach. And, you learn that what works for troubled youth, works for adults. Turns out, if you have issues at any age with flexibility, frustration and problem solving, then you need skills to improve interaction with others. In fact, refining skills in these areas even works for healthy well-adjusted people who want to get even better at resolving issues in life.

Consider the basic premise: there are only three plans, says Dr. Ablon, for resolving a conflict or issue. Plan A involves imposing one’s will on another. Plan C involves electing to let the person with whom you are in conflict “have it their way.” In neither of these approaches are both parties satisfied, thus any real progress is limited if it even exists. In between is Plan B where the parties elect to solve the problem collaboratively.

While it is straightforward to explain, it takes skills to effectively advance the collaborative approach. The parties need to listen. They need to empathize, and both sides need to have their views on the table for consideration through an open dialogue.

Dr. Ablon describes the process in detail in various settings. He shares the views of the skeptics (e.g. it is too soft; it takes too much time; if I give an inch they will take a mile). In every case where the skeptics give collaborative problem solving a chance, they see outcomes that change their view. And, it is all about positive outcomes which is where the results shared are so powerful. Years of experience with thousands of individuals from kids to cops to business leaders suggest that utilizing the collaborative problem-solving approach gets people much further.

I commend the book to anyone who thinks it is possible they might confront a challenge of any kind with another individual….I think I can guarantee that you will think differently about just how you approach the situation. And, if you think more collaboratively, you will likely be more successful.

To order this book please go here. Available from Amazon.

Talk Aspirations This Thanksgiving by Craig Fuller

November 18, 2019 by Craig Fuller Leave a Comment

Soon, family and friends gather for one of our most cherished rituals, Thanksgiving. Based on the gathering of early settlers and Native Americans who worked together to just survive, our modern-day Thanksgiving moments offer a unique time to reflect in the company of people about whom we care the most.

Rather than burn up too much adrenaline on the politics of the day, consider something causing you to dig a little deeper and learn a little more about family and loved ones. Ask others about their aspirations and let them ask you about yours. You can include everyone at your gathering no matter how close you may be or the age of a person. We all carry around aspirations, but how often do we have the opportunity to talk about them or hear the aspirations of those we care about?

And, rather than limit the discussions to a single sitting, use the holiday period to pop the “aspirations question” spontaneously to let a friend or family member ponder the question and state yet another aspiration. A friend and I tried this over the course of a weekend, and it was remarkable how much you can learn about yourself and a friend.

When you look at definitions, you find that aspirations are what an individual would like to attain in their life….and, they can be short-term or long-term.

The nice part about taking time to think about aspirations is that you can cover a lot of ground. Think about where you want to travel. Consider who you want to spend more time with. What interests or hobbies do you want to concentrate more time on? Is there a new experience you seek? What kind of person do you really want to be? The list goes on and on.

The point, take some time to really focus on your own aspirations and share aspirations honestly with those you care most about this holiday season.

If you want to take one more step, write them down. Put the list in an envelope and open it a year from now. I’m betting you will have realized more than a few of your aspirations and wouldn’t that be worth spending time next year focusing on aspirations for a new decade!

Celebrating the Makers by Craig Fuller

September 27, 2019 by Craig Fuller Leave a Comment

Serving as the chairman of the Academy Art Museum’s annual Craft Show for the past two years has been an honor and a pleasure. In so many ways over the next few days we will be telling the community what we are doing during the full 3-day Craft Show starting Friday, October 11th.

I’d like to take a moment and, from my perspective, tell you why we are doing it.

All of us on the Craft Show team share a passion for art and a true appreciation for those making the work presented to a few thousand people attending the Craft Show. We selected this year’s theme, Celebrating the Makers, as an expression of our respect for the seventy artists bringing their unique art forms to our community. We hold this annual event (for the 22nd time) to support the makers of these unique expressions of art so they may be recognized, appreciated and, indeed, have their work purchased by members our community.

Our three-day opportunity is in every sense an opportunity for the makers and members of the community to come together. It is an opportunity to appreciate the fine work and skills of the makers. And, it is an opportunity to support the wonderful artists chosen to be part of our show.

It is also true that we build a meaningful event in an effort to build support for the Academy Art Museum as it pursues its mission over the course of the next year.

A very important part of the mission relates to education. And, increasingly I’ve come to appreciate that this, too, is a vital aspect of the Craft Show. As people attend over the three days they realize that individuals of all ages have found a way to pursue a passion. Their work, their craft and the artistic designs they pursue serve as models to young and old alike that there is a path for those who wish to dedicate themselves to art and craft.

We have tried to do more than just create a theme, “Celebrating the Makers.” We are now approaching 200,000 views of our Craft Show Facebook page where we share the stories of the makers coming to the Show. And, through podcasts, we allow the artists themselves to tell their stories and why they look forward to being in Easton for the Craft Show. Every podcast causes those of us working on the Craft Show to redouble our efforts as the artists’ messages are so personal and touching.

So, these are some of the reasons why we do what we do.

We all hope you will join the effort to Celebrate the Makers by visiting the 22nd Annual Academy Art Museum Craft Show – October 11-13, 2019. See you at the Museum and the Waterfowl Building during the Show.

Important Links:

For more on the Craft Show go here

To select podcasts go here

Follow the Craft Show on Facebook — @AAMCraftShow

Tickets for the Craft Show and Preview Event go here

For sponsorship information — https://www.academycraftshow.com/sponsors

The Presidential Campaign As Reality TV? Wrong! By Craig Fuller

September 16, 2019 by Craig Fuller 1 Comment

Time was when running for President of the United States came after years of public service, building a national base and racking up life experience that could credibly suggest an individual was prepared to serve the nation in a complicated world if elected. Watching most of a 3-hour debate last week and hearing the commentary before and after show, makes me think we’ve managed to turn one of the most important elements of a democracy into a reality TV event in search of television audiences. And, there are real consequences!

My sensibilities about this come from the good fortune of having had a direct engagement in five presidential campaigns; two of which I was involved in running. Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Pete Wilson all spent years in public life. They operated in the world of elected office and had executive branch experience. They dealt extensively with domestic and foreign policy. And, they traveled the country for years building their national political base and they traveled the world building understanding and relationships with foreign leaders. All this before ever announcing an ambition to seek the presidency.

In these efforts, the individuals who would become presidential candidates gained a better understanding of the country; and, citizens in early and important primary states gained an understanding of those who were “testing the waters.” Now, it seems there are no “waters.” Simply announcing gives an individual media attention. Professional fundraisers turn that into cash. The cash pays for advertising — a one-way form of communications where a candidate cannot listen. With enough cash and enough advertising airtime, polling begins to register some “movement.” That generates news…especially cable news. Soon, someone is rising in the eyes of the media.

The big break comes not for a surprising victory in Iowa (Bush, 1980) or a crushing win in New Hampshire (Reagan, 1980). No, the big break comes by getting time on the stage of a nationally televised debate. Even more, once scheduled to participate, commentators surmise one’s chances. The pundits explain what someone “has to do.” And, after the televised event, commentators share their instant view of how people did. Who had a better opening statement. Who got the best shot at the front runner is determined. I even heard this past weekend a critique of who had the funniest line of the debate (Booker: “…my answer is no…and, to translate that into Spanish, no.”)

Now, you can’t really criticize a person for entering the contest as it is presently configured. But, it used to be a voyage taken by an experienced and well-known statesman like individual. Today, it goes to those who crave television time and can raise the funds to meet the rather low threshold for the right to be on the show.

It’s argued that second tier candidates know they cannot win. However, many do win in their own way. Suddenly, we have people who in virtually every case expand their reputation well beyond anything they have previously enjoyed because of media exposure. Even if the probability of Oval Office success is remote, they might land in the cabinet. Or, maybe even on the ticket. They increase their possibility for success in seeking a higher office than the one they hold, if they even hold one. And, then there is always the possibility that from defeat will come a highly charged career as a pundit….always interesting to see how many people who having failed to win an election suddenly have such pithy views about what it takes to get elected.

I think we’ve broken the process so necessary to a presidential quest. The early televised debates for the many who seek exposure has had the effect of turning this important process away from building personal experience and a following into a televised reality show of sorts. And, my experience suggests that the skills necessary to perform in a televised debate do not perfectly align with what it takes to be a successful chief executive of the nation.

Of course, knowing something is broken and fixing it are very different things. I would like to think that there could be some agreement not to have these early televised debates. Let the field compete inside the key early primary states with the four or five leading candidates sharing local stages where issues can really be discussed – another big thing with me. Imagine telling someone that you would really like to hear their views on a matter of mutual interest and then letting them know you’ve allocated one minute and fifteen seconds for them to share their thoughts.

Trouble is, there are too many forces driving the early debates. Fundraisers want their candidates to get the airtime. Candidates want to increase their television exposure. The media wants and needs content, so these shows are passed off as news events where the political journalists share time in the chairs as the panelists in the debates.

In the end, voters really will make the decisions. And, if the early debates really meant much in determining who would be elected, there would be a list of former presidents very different than what history offers. However, the trend is disturbing. Mastering the early media show “primary process” brings attention and contributions. To the extent we allow the media show to replace real engagement over years of service to our citizens, we put ourselves at risk of lowering the threshold to reach the highest public office in the land. And, wouldn’t that be a shame.

The Flip Side of Honesty

September 4, 2019 by Craig Fuller Leave a Comment

A while ago, a good friend became the victim of deception. It involved a work situation. Everyone involved knew each other. I came to know the facts but was troubled and puzzled about how relationships were put at risk when a few people decided not to speak truthfully about leaked information and contact with a journalist. So, I dug deeper to understand deception.

I guess the good news is that we humans are hardwired to believe what we are being told. If it was otherwise, we would exist in an even more hostile environment.

The bad news is that deception has reached near epidemic proportions according to the experts. And, the workplace is one of the hotbeds of deception. In fact, most tend to be more honest with strangers than those with whom they work and live.

Research suggests that many of us encounter nearly 200 lies a day…yes, a day.

How is that possible you say. Well, here are some of the statistics that got my attention:

One in four Americans believes it’s okay to lie to an insurer.
One-third of all resumes contain false information.
One in five employees says he/she is aware of fraud in their workplace.
More than three-quarters of lies go undetected.
Deception costs businesses $944 billion per year.

All this from the book, LIESPOTTING, by Pamela Myer.

So, deception is well beyond the big news stories of politicians misrepresenting the truth or people stealing millions through investment fraud. It is all around us. Oh, and consider this: it’s not like a person is either a deceiver or a truth teller. We all engage in deception from time to time.

And, why?

Figuring out what motivates deception really is the first step in rebuilding trust. And, having a group of people – or maybe just one other person – where trust is an absolute given brings all kinds of advantages.

The research considers how to define a lie. The definition offered: A message knowingly transmitted to another person with the intent to foster false beliefs or conclusions and without prior notification of purpose.

But, they go further to actually define the nine primary reasons people engage in a deception:

To obtain a reward not otherwise easily available;

To gain an advantage over another person or situation;

To create a positive impression / win admiration;
To exercise power over others by controlling information;
To avoid being punished or avoid embarrassment;
To protect another person;
To protect yourself from harm;
To get out of an awkward situation;
To maintain privacy.

Recognize these? I do.

And, recognizing “motive” is the first step in liespotting. It turns out that in the process of deceiving, people actually do things that the experts refer to as a “tell.” And, learning to spot tells has tangible benefits whether you are negotiating a business deal or just coping with everyday situations in life.

I will leave the lessons in liespotting to the experts in the book. I’ve also included a video from a Ted Talk by the author, Pamela Meyer, which is both entertaining and educational. And, there are many other experts with books and videos about how to spot deception.

My point is this, deception has real consequences. If the experts are correct that, while it has always existed, today we have a virtual deception epidemic; then, we should all work to slow if not reverse something so corrosive to discourse.

There are some clues into how we might go about this task. And, they go to the heart of the problem.

It turns out that when people are face to face about 80% of communication occurs through non-verbal forms of communications. A full 65% has to do with body language.

So, when we flash text messages and emails to communicate to someone right down the hall, we are stripping away for the sender and the receiver the very vital elements of effective communication….the 80% that’s non-verbal. Now, if you want to deceive, this is a real advantage. But, if you really want to better understand someone and effectively discourage deception, get into a face to face situation.

Throughout the human experience, relationships were built on face to face communication. Only recently has virtual communication overwhelmed conversation face to face. While it is not feasible to end our virtual dependence, just don’t let it be the sole method of communication between people that matter at work or at home.

We clearly need added balance. Today, more than 210 billion email messages are sent in a single day. And, to put that in perspective, it means more messages are sent virtually every day than the amount of paper-based mail sent in an entire year.

The experts suggest that while we compose our messages using words carefully, words only make up about 7% of the communication equation. Perhaps there is no better explanation for why miscommunication occurs so frequently.

When you look up the definition of “miscommunication,” you find it means “a failure to communicate adequately.”

That definition provides an appropriate place to conclude. Let’s all strive to communicate adequately. Why would we not? At least if our intention is not to deceive. And, that’s the truth!

For more: Pamela Myer’s Ted Talk on Liespotting and a link to her book.

Those Dog Days of Summer… by Craig Fuller

August 17, 2019 by Craig Fuller Leave a Comment

So, I worried a little about the Dog Days of Summer. I really enjoy summer, and I am more than a little attached to my Weimaraner, Maggie. My concern came from the notion of wanting neither of us to become lethargic with the summer heat. Thus, we committed – Maggie and me – not to let the heat get to us. We would stay active!

We try to start our day with breakfast on the screened porch. With a cooler morning temperature, we enjoy watching the Osprey fish as well as the watermen working away on Trippe Creek. No better way to plan the activities of the day.

Boating has become a favorite activity. My initial worry about Maggie relaxing on the Ranger Tug proved unnecessary as she adapted quickly this summer. She remains as attentive as any crew one could have; however, she has become a bit aggressive recently about claiming the captain’s chair! Applying full power is her specialty.

Then, there is a new alternative this summer, an RV. Having traveled a bit with me in a camper as a very young puppy, Maggie has taken to camping…well, camping with air conditioning. As this commentary is being composed, we sit in a beautiful nearby state park. I’m writing. She is sleeping. She’ll be ready to roll out of here tomorrow…

So, staying busy during the Dog Days of Summer deserves a reward…

While relaxing with the “reward,” I sought an appropriate quote to wrap up this piece. That’s when I discovered something that I have yet to reveal to Maggie. The Dog Days of Summer have nothing to do with dogs!

Turns out, it’s all about the dog star, Sirius, and its position in the night sky.

According to experts at the National Geographic, “…to the Greeks and Romans, the ‘dog days’ occurred around the day when Sirius appeared to rise just before the sun, in late July. They referred to these days as the hottest time of the year, a period that could bring fever, or even catastrophe.”

So, imagine that. Well, it’s time for our night time walk and maybe, just maybe, we’ll see the dog star in the sky tonight or tomorrow. Here’s to Sirius, the star! (Just don’t tell Maggie.)

Enduring Friendship by Craig Fuller

August 5, 2019 by Craig Fuller Leave a Comment

The dictionary tells us that to endure means that “something continues to exist without any loss in quality or importance.”

This past month, with the loss of a loved one, I learned a great deal about enduring friendship.

Craig and Karen Fuller

During the month of Karen’s passing, her memorial service and the reception that followed, I was reminded so often in notes and conversations about Karen’s lifelong success in building enduring friendships. From the neighbor she met at age 2, through high school, college and all the activities that followed, enduring friendships formed.

While I have always enjoyed strong professional relationships and many friends, the number of enduring friendships, if I am honest, is a small fraction of the number Karen formed. It was astounding to embrace the joy of remembering long ago moments and shared experiences that found expression all month long…in fact, the power of enduring friendships was expressed during the past few months visits, calls and messages.

Time was when we didn’t move through life so fast. When the town was a community where the townspeople knew each other and shared experiences together. We find ourselves more worldly while also more dispersed. Staying in touch is easier electronically, but schedules test our ability to sit and enjoy moments face to face.

For many, the professional relationships and even friendships fall away over the years. But, for the enduring friendships – and here’s the lesson – time and distance are of no consequence. With Karen’s enduring friendships there was no loss in quality or importance.

During this past month as we celebrated Karen’s life, whether people came across the country (as some did by car) or from next door, the expressions of friendship formed decades ago or only months earlier were heart-warming, deep and sustaining.

A friend offered a poignant perspective on all of this as I explained the task of looking at decades old documents that mean little today; in fact, many I never knew we had. The point was made that at the time they seemed so important, which is why they were saved; but, what has truly lasted and what was really so important then and now are the friendships around those shared experiences.

Important lessons…and going forward, I intend to work harder at building enduring friendships and be far less concerned about records of past acts. With more years behind me than ahead of me, the lesson of the enduring friends comes at no better time.

Memories Are Meant to be Shared by Craig Fuller

July 3, 2019 by Craig Fuller 3 Comments

Those of us who have this periodic opportunity to share something of ourselves with readers of the Spy in our commentaries reveal, when we are at our best, insights about what moves us, concerns us and commands our focus.

Karen and Craig Fuller

Because of a moving message from a former colleague who read my last piece about the AOPA 80th anniversary in Frederick, Maryland, I worked for a couple weeks organizing my thoughts around memories. I’ve focused a fair amount on memories over the past few months and so that was to be the topic of my column.

Then things changed. During the past few days my sole focus has been on memories of Karen and our 38 year journey together. For, as the first of July arrived, so, too, did Karen’s final days.After seeing two close friends last Friday, Karen has been at home here on Trippe Creek in a peaceful and comfortable sleep.

Over preceding months, our friends have shared memories and photographs from the past and I marveled at how these memories energized and cheered Karen and me!

The path we have been on that began with mild cognitive impairment a few years ago, moved to dementia and about 2 months ago the process accelerated. While Karen could not be as active as she had been, the pleasure from conversations by phone and in person or from emails I’d read her helped keep her going and keep her smiling.

Karen has just about come to the end of the path she’s on. However, among the many lasting lessons she provided to me over our 38 years together is that memories are meant for sharing.

Let someone know what you remember most about a pleasant adventure. You will feel better. And, I guarantee your friend will feel better.

Given the complications and details consuming my time, my column was cut short. However, my path going forward will most certainly include regular commentary in the Spy.

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