I’ve had a very interesting personal journey with money, position and power.
I was in 7^th grade when I got caught stealing money from the student council store.  It was a humiliating and embarrassing situation.
I got fired from a job in my early twenties for trying to manipulate a situation to gain a better position.  I will never forget the utter despair I felt when that happened.
And, I failed miserably when I attempted to grab more power in a job situation that involved a war of wills with some very smart and strong people.  I had no idea how out of my league I was. Goodness, it was bad!
These were dramatic moments in my life.
And, at the time, I was convinced that each action I took was the right thing to do – that I had a good reason and that the payoff for that action would be well worth it.
I had no idea how wrong I was.
It is only now, later in life, that I am beginning to get a glimpse into what was playing in my head and my heart that caused me to do such stupid, damaging and hurtful things. It is also now, later in life, that I am learning that those experiences were wonderful life gifts to me – precious object lessons I would not have acquired any other way.
I will describe these situations in more detail in the next few posts and tell you how they apply to the world you and I both live in now – the world of major gifts.
But for now, I want you to join me in doing some personal reflecting surrounding these topics. That is why I am setting up this series of posts in this way.
You see, everyone involved in major gifts will eventually come face to face with wondering if they are paid enough, if they are in the right position and if they have enough power to operate as they want.  The questions might sound like this:

• What amount of money do I need to make?
• What position do I have to have?
• And how much power is necessary for me to be happy?

I’m addressing these topics for several reasons.  First of all, many people have asked us what we think about them.  Secondly, there are good practical answers to each question that, when implemented, will make a major gift program more successful.  And finally, we see a lot of confusion surrounding each one of them – confusion that we would like to clear up.
Jeff and I have been pretty clear that, in our opinion, this thing we call major gifts is a mystical and spiritual activity. This confluence of donors, MGO’s and causes, embodied in organizations, forms a perfect mix of human resources, kindness and generosity that address the most important needs on our planet.
But so much more happens than just money changing hands and services delivered.
That’s why we keep saying that an MGO job is not a job.  It’s a cause.  And that reality requires a whole different way of thinking and acting.
And if that is true, how should we think about money, position and power in our jobs?  They are, after all, important!  I know that, believe me.  And I will not skirt around the practical issues of each of the topics as I discuss them in the next three posts.
But before we start that conversation, I would like you to be part of the process by considering your own reflections on these three very important elements of your job: money, position and power.
If you are motivated to walk with me on these topics, then please make a list, either in your mind or on paper, about what truly brings you happiness and fulfillment.  Just processing this one thought, over the next few days, will help you interact in a more informed way with what I will be sharing in the next three posts.
There is no doubt that we all need to make money.  I have no qualms about having energy and desire related to occupying the right position.  And, I know for a fact that one must have a certain measure of power and authority to be effective in major gifts.
But how does all of this very personal material fit into your major gift job?  That’s what we’ll talk about in the next few days.  For now, just process the question: what brings me happiness and fulfillment?
Thanks.
Richard