Respecting the Unexpected

Learning New Tricks

“We’re doing twice the work we used to do and getting paid the same.”

“This new machine’s not as good as what we had before.”

Are these common refrains from your work environment? Although we’re all no doubt busy, I tend to find that the underlying issues have more to do with technological frustration and change more than most other factors.

Consider the first statement, which essentially addresses the “do more with less” argument. It is entirely true that nearly all of us are and are required to be more productive than we were 20 or even 10 years ago. Yet, look at the tools that are now at our disposal. Computer speeds are faster than ever. A single cell phone has more capability than the early computers that helped us land on the moon. Groceries and other goods are delivered to our doorsteps often within a day or even hours of ordering. Scientists developed an immunization for a threatening and sometimes deadly virus in less than a year, far exceeding our expected standards.

So yes, most of us are doing more than we used to do, yet with the aid of technology. If we are still where we were in 2001, we have simply not kept up.

Still, learning how to Zoom, text, or even email can be uncomfortable propositions for many. The reward for first tackling the challenge and then succeeding at it can be immensely rewarding.

In my work in college football, basketball, baseball, and softball for ESPN I provide statistical data and observations to the “on air” broadcasters during the course of a telecast. Basically the job description summary is to share information during an event that will enrich the production and allow the announcers to come across as even more informed and up to date than they already are.

Although sports has slowly made a return during Covid, the broadcasts are different. For one, there may or may not be fans in attendance. Further, the on air talent may not even be present, announcing from a room or basement in their home or some other venue. The same goes for me: out of the events I have been assigned and worked thus far in 2021 all have been from my home office in Florida.

I recall my very first remote production a few months back. Admittedly not as technically proficient as I would like to be, I was overwhelmed at how I was going to adapt, produce quality information, and communicate it effectively. From that experience, I developed a step-by-step formula that not only worked for me, but that I believe can apply to many of the challenges any of us face to make them seem not so intimidating. If I may share:

1. First of all be grateful that the powers that be have demonstrated the confidence in your abilities to entrust you with the responsibility. They may very well see or know some things that are not so readily apparent to you.

2. The long-time question and adage of “how do you eat an elephant?, “one bite at a time,” is very helpful. Break the project down into smaller increments.

3. Seek advice next from those who may have some experience with the same or a similar challenge.

4. Begin tackling the undertaking from the perspective of what you do know. For me that translates to studying game notes and statistics from a variety of websites and transferring that information into the format and tools with which I have most familiarity.

5. Next, tackle the technology options that are most comfortable. For me that is Zoom. In my instance it also meant acquiring two laptops to begin with—one for the live game broadcast and another in which to communicate notes specifically to on air talent.

6. A third laptop was then to be added to the equation in order to receive “live” or current statistical information.

7. Assure that internet connectivity is strong and that there is reliable back up, such as a cell phone “hot spot” in order to remedy a communications void.

8. Speaking of the cell phone, it plays a role in continuing to serve as a communication device, however, through an app that allows the ability to talk to the announcers and production truck, much like a headset at an on site event.

9. Finally take a deep breath, say a prayer, have a good show, and feel gratified that you did it.

Resourcefulness feels good. These sophisticated times of ours also provide a reminder that none of us are ever too old to learn new things. It is good for me to get a taste of obstacles similar to those I task to my coaching clients.

What is the new challenge that you’re going to take on?

The Seed Sower

Respecting the Unexpected Power

& Fury of Nature

July 15, 2025

In the developed world, many of us take water for granted. True, we are impacted by droughts and shortages, especially in more arid regions, but for the most part when we turn on a faucet, we can quench our thirst and wash our hands, or for that matter our entire bodies.

We are surrounded by water. It comprises 71% of the earth. It is inescapable: the composition of the average adult is 55-60% water.

Water can be peaceful, refreshing, magnetic. It is a primary attraction for commerce and recreation. What would many of our resort areas be without it?

We must respect it.

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to cycle across Northern Georgia through always rolling and sometimes quite steep terrain. Some of the views during that journey were breathtaking and enjoyable when not being slowed to nearly a standstill by an incline of 12, 13%, or even more!

A side benefit of the excursion was a short detour to Toccoa Falls near the South Carolina border. A renewing moment marked by a cooling mist was much welcomed on a day that had grown quite warm by mid-morning.

Beautiful, as it were, I was not aware of some of the history of this landmark.

Early on the morning of November 6, 1977 several factors led to the failure of an upstream dam, including heavy rain. Toccoa Falls College is adjacent to this feature. That morning the gentle stream into which the falls empty was suddenly and unexpectedly converted into a raging current. College buildings and housing lay in the pathway of newly forged waterways.

Property destruction in the aftermath was significant. Even worse, the catastrophe claimed 39 lives. Former Georgia Governor and then President Carter responded quickly to the tragedy, laying the groundwork for the creation of a committee on dam safety and a robust approach that led to the inspection of over 9,000 dams throughout the US.

Recently on the morning of this past July 4th, a storm system centered itself in the Texas Hill Country, just west of Kerrville, Texas. Forecasters had earlier issued watches for a weather development.

This area is distinguished by rugged hillsides marked by limestone outcroppings, carved out over time by springs, streams, and rivers. Higher in elevation than the larger metropolitan areas to the east such as Austin and San Antonio, the Hill Country offers cooling waters and a bit more moderate temperatures, somewhat offsetting the “blast furnace” that can be Texas in the summertime.

The idyllic setting has encouraged thriving resort, retreat, and camping industries with literally thousands descending upon the area annually.

We now have a clearer picture of the aftermath. In just Kerr County alone greater than 100 people have perished. Even more than that number have been declared missing having yet to be located or identified. Heroes have arisen: Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ruskan helped retrieve 165 victims from the flood waters. Others have sought to point fingers or cast blame.

Lives of survivors will forever be changed.

It is with both appreciation and respect for the beauty and forces of nature, that the power of water is impactful.

I lived in Kerrville for 12 years between 1986 and 1998. Again, it was early in the morning hours of July 17, 1987 that I was aroused from a sound sleep and requested to serve as part of a response team: torrential rains had caused the Guadalupe River to overflow its banks. Summer campers downstream from Kerrville were reportedly threatened. One of my roles at that time with the City of Kerrville was to serve as the area’s Public Information Officer in the event of an emergency. I accepted the role on the premise, that mass incidents “rarely occur.”

By daybreak it had been confirmed that a bus full of kids attempting to escape their camp for higher ground had been swept downstream. A few made it to a safe shore. The others were carried by the waters, 43 in all. Thirty-three were rescued from trees and the water. Ten did not survive.

The recent episode dredged up memories from that day thirty-eight years ago. For one, there was an unmistakable smell, almost an unforgettable combination of chemicals and decaying fish. The professionalism of members of the swift water rescue team, primarily staffed by firefighters and their singleness of purpose selflessly geared towards rescue was remarkable. The emergence of people, seemingly out of the “woodwork,” who appeared on scene prepared to assist. I recall somewhat inadequately responding to local and national media, requesting assistance in utilizing their helicopters to comb the river seeking survivors.

Almost instinctively, the training and preparedness of emergency service workers in bringing order and assuredness to chaos was noteworthy then as I am sure it remains to be now.

Going forward, we will all of course pray for those most touched by this tragedy. Beyond that I would trust that intelligent and thinking people can come together and identify common solutions to help mitigate the potential for similar catastrophes in the future. Few of us are ever fully out of harm’s way when it comes to natural phenomenon: what lessons can be learned? Finally, I pray that corporately as a society we will work towards long-term strategies that will honor our fragile ecosystems, respecting the power of nature and investing in what is required to bequeath a livable and healthy planet for those who follow us.

The Seed Sower

WAR WIN ABOVE REPLACEMENT

Kirk McCarley, The Seed Sower Coach

Planting seeds of confidence . . .

Respecting the Unexpected Power

& Fury of Nature

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WAR WIN ABOVE REPLACEMENT

Kirk McCarley, The Seed Sower Coach

314-677-8779