Right People, Right Places

When I was a kid, I was always in awe of how my parents built their businesses. One thing I remember them saying all the time is that it's so important to put the right people in the right place and then let them do their job, because that is the most effective way to accomplish what needs to be done.

With that in mind, as Taylor’s friends, we care about her, encourage her, and support her in finding the strength she needs to deal with some of the tough things she has been going through. I am a huge believer in asking for help if it's needed, and I really wanted her to know that it's courageous to admit when you are struggling.

There is pride in standing up for what you believe in, though. That's why I fought Paul and my security team on wanting to go to the Sacramento Kings game, and I wanted to sit where I would normally sit. At the time, my family was in the middle of a really agonizing business decision -- and that was whether or not we were going to have to move our basketball team from Sacramento or not. It was the last game of the season, and feasibly the last game we would play in Sacramento, so it was very important to me that I be there -- not only for the fans, but for myself. I wanted to face the music, so to speak. I wanted to show my face and not hide from the hurt that might be directed my way by fans who had been amazing supporters of this team for so long. I'm not someone who can be placed in an ivory tower -– that's not how I was raised. My father shook the hands of all of his customers -- he listened to their praises and valued their complaints. There was no way in he-double hockey sticks that I was going to slink in and out of that arena. I'm not going to break if an angry fan needs to vent at me. These are fans who have stood by our team good and bad, and if they needed to release some frustration, well -- I honesty respected their right to be heard.

I get that Paul was trying to protect me, and I appreciate that, believe me. But there are times when I have to be able to make a decision on one of my businesses and not be second-guessed. That was my frustration at the time.

With regards to Kim’s late arrival, I like to deal in concrete facts, and that's why I wasn't jumping on any assumptions about why she was late. Besides, I was obviously stressed for a million other reasons that afternoon!

Thanks for all the lovely blog comments on my last post. I'm always so touched by how supportive all of you are, and it honestly means the world to me. Come talk to me during the week on Twitter, too! You can find me at @AdrienneMaloof.

XOXO,

Adrienne