The test of a true man…authority.  Authority is an amazing, addictive, sometimes overwhelming thing. It can also be a test of a person’s true character. Authority welded in the right manner can produce the best in men. It can change the world and make amazing things happen. Companies have been built, lives changed. Power used in the wrong manner can destroy. This is where ones character comes into play. Such authority without character, without a true moral compass, can bring down a company and destroy the lives of many in its wake.  It is important for anyone in a true position of authority, to seek and be an example of strength, authority and true character. To live their lives and weld the power and authority bestowed upon them with same high standards they expect others around them to follow.  It is also important to understand the impact of every decision they make and be strong enough in their convictions to hold themselves and others around them accountable for their every action.   The test of a person in a position of authority is simple; Be an example of true character and honor. Respect those around you and their lives, and run your business and your life in a way that others around you will wholeheartedly respect and willfully follow.

Authority can be given but respect and trust are earned. All these things are necessary to be successful and increase the success of those around you.

Bruce

“To whom much is given, much is required” Luke 12:48

Greeting readers, please allow me to formally introduce myself to you all.  My name is Bruce Booker and I have been with this organization for almost a decade.  I have worked in many capacities for Lake Truck Lines, Inc.  I bring over 20 years experience in the oil and gas as well as the transportation field.

First, I send out a kind word of thanks and gratitude to all those that have pushed and supported me throughout the years. Today I embark on the next level of my career as Chief Operating Officer of Lake Truck Lines, Inc.

The scripture says, “To whom much is given, much is required.”  This opportunity is a blessing and I will require of myself nothing less than the hard work and dedication this position deserves. I challenge you, the reader, to require nothing less than excellence from me as well as yourself.  I look forward to working with all of you as we travel on this continued path of success.

Bruce Booker

A man there was and they called him mad, the more he gave, the more he had. -John Bunyan

To a logical thinker like me, I read that and “Yeah Riiiiiiight.” But the other side of my brain sees that it is absolutely true. A very wise man Bill Ferguson, once taught me “If you put your focus on yourself, your life is guaranteed to be full of crap, if you put your focus on others your life will be beautiful.” I have heard some true words in life, but truer words have never been spoken. Thanks Bill for the many lessons you have taught me.

Now speaking of wise men, I need to give you an update. Effective immediately, I will no longer be writing Blogs for Lake Truck Lines. The three of you that keep up with the blog, I am sure will be heart broken.

There is a much larger picture being painted right now and in fact the canvas is about 63 years and 3 months old. I am hanging it up in the running of the company. Nah, I’m not dying or retiring, something bigger than that is taking place.

For the first time, Lake Truck Lines, Inc. has hired a Chief Operating Officer (COO). I will still be President, but I felt that it was time for Lake to be run by a professional instead of a 30 year rookie like me.

With this, I announce the hiring of Mr. Bruce Booker as COO. Bruce has been our Houston Manager for the past 18 months and prior to that, proved his mettle by running the nightmare known as the Pennsylvania Experience. He will introduce himself to you three readers next week when he gives his first blog.

So, the lesson of the day is “The more you give, the more you Have”…..Hmmmm, I can work with that.

Today I will be just a tad selfish. The more I gave to the Company and to its employee partner family, I was rewarded tenfold. But that’s the easy part. Anyone can say “One Invested, Ten Returned”. But what happens when it’s “One Invested……..Nothing,” “One Invested…..Nothing?” Well what happens is that you change your paradigm.

You change seeing what you “Have.” “The More You Give, changes the More You Have.” It ain’t always apples to apples Baby. Sometimes it’s apples to oranges and sometimes it’s even apples to lumps of coal. My point is your rewards are everywhere around you and I mean everywhere. Sometimes, you don’t need the apple; you need the orange because you have a sore throat. Sometimes you need the lump of coal to keep you warm on a cold night. Maybe you gave an apple and all you got in return was a rock. Maybe you needed some recreation time…..and you skipped the rock on a lake…and it made you happy.

My point in all of this is do not give with the end in mind! Give just to give!

After thirty years, I have just started truly giving to the company.

Now to those of you concerned about reading my words of wisdom, you can find me at the website for Lake Oilfield Services at www.lakeoilfieldservices.com starting next week.

Thank you all for 3 decades of heartaches, blessing, challenges and achievements. Thanks to the Universe for determining whether I needed an apple, or an orange, or coal, or a rock. I will continue to give my all for my company and its many partners and employees.

God Bless and Good Night

Douglas Cain