Lynn Baber… for love of God and horses

Regardless of whether a relationship is marital, parental, spiritual, commercial, a friendship, or with a beloved animal – the one requirement of relationship success is that of being personal.

Last night we watched the new TV series, Undercover Boss. The boss was Bill Carstanjen, Chief Operating Officer of Churchill Dows, Inc.. Mr. C spent 10 days as “Billy” doing ‘entry level’ jobs as a trainer’s assistant, part of the cleaning crew, assistant to a jockey valet, and observing a gal who worked on both the backside (stable areas) and the front side (public areas.)

"Billy on the Backside"

The grizzled Billy was an attractive character

The somewhat scruffy “Billy” came across as warm, personal, and approachable, despite his admitted inability to actually be useful at any of his jobs. My husband and I wondered if Mr. C had actually ever done anything… except get a law degree and a cushy office job? Without more information we can’t answer that question. This is TV after all, and the producers may be responsible for presenting this COO in an unflattering way.

Back to the really big chair…

Following show formula, Mr. C summoned the people who supervised him while he was undercover to the big office to reveal his true identity. Footage of each person riding alone in a limo was evidence that “Billy” didn’t share lessons learned with Mr. C. The camera revealed individuals who were uncomfortable, and even fearful, of what was to come.

How is this evidence of being personal and relational? Was this just a set-up for the interviews about to take place? Maybe it was done this way to make for good TV. It doesn’t matter the reason, these warm, completely human and vulnerable people were made to feel like fish out of water waiting for the filet knife to show up. And, each jumped up when escape was offered after the meet.

Having authentic character

One would hope that Bill would have an authenticity of character that shines through whether he is clean shaven or not, and whether in the stable or the boardroom. The saddest part of the show for me was the very end. During the meeting in the big office, Bill promised the valet that a race named after his late daughter would run on opening day. This was a very personal matter to the valet. So, what’s my problem?

At the big reveal to all the folks, Bill stood on the stage showing footage of his experience and promising to be more personal. The camera then cut to a moment between Bill and the valet who asked, “Are you still going to name a race after my daughter?”

Behaviors make promises we believe in, not words

Perhaps I’m being too hard on Mr. C. He sure seemed a nice guy when he was undercover. He realized his management style had been impersonal and recognized a connection to the corporation’s bottom line. Business is personal. Let’s hope Billy visits the backside regularly. Success arrives when he can visit the barns and the cleaning crews without having to go undercover, and still be accepted at his word.

Any relationship you have will grow or regress based upon the personal aspects of it. Customers part with hard earned money for personal reasons. The horse we choose to feed and spend time with is one who responds to us personally. How much depends on us.

Teachers who care for each student personally work wonders with limited budgets. Money doesn’t buy ‘personal’ – it can only be purchased by time, love, and commitment.

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Here’s a link to Mr. Carstanjen’s version of his experience on Undercover Boss.

Undercover Boss Churchill Downs