It’s hard to believe that Stephen Hopson Interviews has only been in existence for about 2 1/2  months; yet we’ve already interviewed people of varying backgrounds ranging from a lady who once hitchhiked across America, a young man who admitted to wanting to kill himself (but thought the better of it), an influential self development blogger who was extremely shy and reserved most of his life and a guy who calls himself a monk because he actually lives like one. 

Next week (and the week after that) we have Howard Putnam, former CEO of Southwest Airlines.  Then we have Karen Putz, the most famous deaf mom who blogged about the Shake n’ Shake fiasco that blew up into a huge PR crisis for a faceless corporation whose apathetic manager didn’t want to serve her and her kids a couple of milkshakes over the fact that she couldn’t use the drive-in speaker to order!

Both interviews are fascinating in their own right.

And today we have Phil Gerbyshak, who owns one of the most recognizable brand names in the blogging world.  If you haven’t had a chance to see the first interview from last week, may I suggest you take a moment to familiarize yourself with this great guy and then come back here. 

Ok, Phil, let’s do it! 

10. Tell me about the dark side of Phil Gerbyshak

I am not always a happy guy. In fact, sometimes I am downright sad. On those days I’m not at 125%, I curl up by myself and reach out to those closest to me to help me make it great! I don’t go to work on those days, for I don’t want to infect my team with my attitude virus. I stay home, and I only talk to those who care most deeply for me.

Stephen’s Response:  I know this wasn’t an easy answer for you Phil.  But kudos to you for answering it because it makes you more human.  All of us have a dark side but we’re afraid that if we shed light on it, then people will think less of us.  I think the opposite is actually true - what happens is that it magically bridges any pre-existing gap that may exist between people  - they see that despite your success, you’re human, just like every one else and they feel a sense of kinship as a result.  You become more real to them and that, I think is the key to anyone’s success.  People want real people, not fakers!  Bravo Phil !!

 11.  At Adversity University, I often talk about the value of changing our perceptions in order to deal with adversity.  How have you dealt with adversity in your life?  Give us specific examples of adversity and what you did to overcome them.

Gosh Stephen, where do I begin? I’ve been overcoming adversity my entire life. I was born and raised in a town of 996 people where the only people who made any money were the folks who owned their own business or who worked at the school in town. This was before Wal-Mart and telecommuting, so I realized right away that would be a HUGE obstacle to overcome in my life, so I joined the Navy to see the world. 

While I was in the Navy, I encountered a LOT of negativity. In the military, the best don’t always rise to the top; sometimes you just have to stick around a long time and you’ll get promoted ahead of a rising star. Of course, my attitude was atrocious, but the fogey factor (old geezers who get promoted in spite of their lack of passion or talent) was very evident to me. 

Another case of adversity is my parents lack of value on education. My step-father dropped out of school when he was 12 years old, and he always worked with his hands, and he expected my brothers and I to as well. For those who know me, I am NOT good with my hands, and am not very mechanically inclined. Match that with no patience for myself to learn mechanical stuff and a step-father who was threatened by a much more confident and much more intelligent child than he expected, and you have the makings of a disaster.  

Thankfully my mom enjoyed reading, and she instilled a passion for reading in me that is still unquenchable! 

Stephen’s response:  This reminds me of an article that was written by one of the earlier interviewees, Shaun Boyd, who wrote a fascinating account of his experience in working with the local government where everyone was apathetic.  People were promoted not because of merit, but because of their ability to play politics and perform “special favors.”  In Shaun’s case, he dealt with people who goofed off on the job and got away with it.  Sounds like you saw the same things while serving in the military. 

 12.  What would you say was the defining moment that forever changed the course of your life?  For example, was it someone who made an impact on you or was it a spiritual revelation?

The day I got my drivers license, when I was 16 years old, I got in a car accident. Not a minor one, but a HUGE one. I was doing 140 miles per hour (when I last looked down, it could have been more), and the car flipped on top of me 2 times while I was trying to brake on a gravel road. I was tossed about 100 feet and I flew through the air like Superman, landing on my right leg and rolling another 50 feet before I came to a sudden stop.

I broke my shoulder in 12 places, my right leg in 6, put a cornstalk through my arm, split my head open, ruptured my left tricep, and spent an entire summer in a wheelchair. My 16 year old summer, in a wheelchair, while all my friends were playing sports, chasing girls, and growing up without me.

I quickly learned humility, patience, and respect, as well as a quiet confidence that no matter what I did in my life, I would never be this close to death again by my own hands. And since then, I have been much more cautious with my driving and my thinking, for I am a mere mortal and not invincible like I thought May 22^nd 1990 the day I got my driver’s license.

Stephen’s Response:  I sat through this one with my mouth agape.  Both hands were clenched to the arm rests of my chair because I felt as if I were in the car with you!  What a horrific and humiliating experience that had to have been.  There you were, in your wheelchair, while your friends gleefully romped around, having a glorious time.  Wow, what a titillating story! 

13.  What 3 books, blogs and/or mentors have influenced you and why? 

My favorite book is Jim Collins Good to Great. and it’s at the core of my being. Jim starts his book with “Good is the enemy of great!” That’s how I live my life, and I think of that frequently when I think about what I am doing and why.

My favorite mentor is my grandmother, Cleo Murphy. My grandma believed in me even when I didn’t, and reminded me that I could change the world if I would help enough people. Grandma never made more than $18,000 per year, and still managed to send Christmas and birthday cards for over 100 people in her family each year, and got her grandchildren presents or sent them money every year until they were 18. If ever there was a model of giver’s gain, Grandma Murphy was it.

3 blogs that influence my thinking are Seth Godin, for he is the king of all that is marketing, Scott Ginsberg, for he is the king of all that is communication and approachability, and Rosa Say, for she is my dear friend and has helped me become a better manager, a better person, and a better writer through her amazing writing and her willingness to help me out one-on-one whenever I need it. Thank you Seth, Scott and Rosa for all you’ve shared with me to help me be a better person, a better blogger, and a better communicator.

Stephen’s Response:  This reminded me of my own Grandma and all the little old ladies (or big old ladies in my case) who care deeply about others and possess all the characteristics of an Archangel.  Where ever you are Grandma Murphy is, may you shine among the best!

14.  Name the top 5 articles from Make it Great! that you believe readers at Adversity University would benefit from.

•  The Power of Positive Thinking (Stephen shared this before, but I think this is my best article ever) 
• Love is all You Need
• A Positive Attitude - A CURE for what ails you
• Share the Light
• Loving You for Who You Are

Stephen’s Response:  I’ve read all of them but I have to agree that the “Power of Positive Thinking” will be a timeless classic at Make it GREAT!  It contained the powerful “I think I can, I know I Can” mantra.  Sort of like “The Little Engine That Could.”  It very much reminded me of my own experiences as a kid.  Anyone who has the opportunity to hear it will be impacted significantly.

15.  What do you hope God will have to say to you when you arrive at  the Pearly Gates?

Here’s what I hope God will say when I meet Him: “Phil, you played full out every day, you loved people that didn’t love you back, and you never kept score with anyone or anything. Good and faithful servant, thank you for your work! Now come on in and enjoy the party!”

Stephen’s Response:  This made my eyes brim with tears because I could just imagine God saying to you, with a booming voice, “NOW COME ON IN AND ENJOY THE PARTY!”  Who wouldn’t want to hear that at the Pearly Gates?  

16.  Being deaf, I am always curious to know which sounds other people love and hate to hear.  Tell us a sound you absolutely adore and a sound you detest.

I love to hear the sound of rushing water in a river or waterfall. That energy is just incredible!

I hate to hear people chew close to my head. Something about it just bugs me.

Stephen’s Response:  Imagine being in my shoes and lip-reading someone whose mouth is full.  Now, that’s GROSS!

17.  We all have our likes and dislikes.  What would you say turns you on and what turns you off?  Give the first answer that comes to your  mind without censoring or editing it.

What turns me on? Great music always gets my blood flowing. Music makes my heart sing!

What turns me off? People who are bad communicators and don’t care enough to improve their skills. If you can’t communicate with me, it makes it VERY hard to communicate with you.

Stephen’s Response:  Amen to the communication aspects of it.  Without it, what do we have?  Thanks for reminding us of the importance of communication, Phil.

18.  What is your favorite word?  Least favorite?

Great is my favorite, of course.

Least favorite would have to be fine…or nice. Those words are so mediocre, I just despise them.

19.  What’s next for Phil Gerbyshak?

I’m working on a few books, one about customer service, one about leadership, and one about interviewing that should come out in the next 18-24 months. I’ll also be quitting my corporate job and transitioning to a full-time speaker, training, and brand guru in the same time frame.

I also will be finally getting Phil Gerbyshak.com off the ground by March 31, 2008, complete with all my podcasts, video clips of me speaking, customer service and branding articles, and MUCH more!

Stephen’s Response:  I absolutely cannot wait for the launch of your new site.  I will promote the heck out of it for you.  Just ask me and I’ll be there for you!

19.  And finally but not least, where can we find out more about you?

First, please do check out Make It Great! I write most days there, I interview great people, I have awesome guest Bloggers like Stephen share their insights, and I share as much as I can with you every day.

Secondly, check out Slacker Manager. Slacker Manager is a blog I co-author with David Zinger, again lots of guest posts, and all the best that is management and productivity.

Lastly, please visit Joyful Jubilant Learning. In March, we’re celebrating A Love Affair With Books, where we have 31 days of book reviews from folks from all over the blogosphere. Our focus is on lifelong learning, something we ALL can do, no matter our station in life.

Turning to the audience:

Well, did you enjoy this interview?  What part impacted you the most?  Let’s open the floor for discussion in the comments.  Be sure to make “value-added” comments - that means extending the conversation into deeper terrain, leading to the sharing of your thought-provoking ideas and beliefs.

Let’s give Phil a round of applause for coming to Adversity University and spending quality time with us.  I really enjoyed having Phil here! 

Finally, don’t forget we have Howard Putnam, former CEO of Southwest, next week.  

Until the next time we speak, have a good one. 

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