The Invisible Mentor

Archive for January 12th, 2010

Your Invisible Mentor: Michael McCleary

Company: Live Unconditional

Website: http://www.mikemccleary.com/

I conduct these interviews as much for myself as I do for you. I learn so much from these highly accomplished individuals. I was moved by portions of Michael’s interview and I am sure you will too. The interviewees are usually asked the same questions.  I liked his response to how mentors influenced his life “What most people don’t realize is that they have mentors around them all the time and they probably don’t realize it.  Our friends, family, employers, co-workers, writers, God.  They are all there influencing us every day, in ways we often don’t understand or grasp.”

What are your thoughts?

Avil Beckford: Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Michael McCleary: I tell extraordinary stories for a living.  It’s the best career I’ve ever had.  What do I mean by telling stories? Well I own a video production/new media/web company about 2 hours north of Detroit, MI. Recently, I also had the opportunity to finish my first feature length documentary, An Anything But Ordinary Journey, with my business partner Casey Turner in October of 2009. I spent over 4 years on the project, interviewing people across the US and Canada on the meaning of success.  So whether it’s making films, or serving clients through our business, it’s all about sharing extraordinary stories with the world and that is extremely satisfying.

Avil Beckford: What’s a typical day like for you?

Michael McCleary: That’s a good question. It really varies and that’s what I love about what I do. Some days I’m on the road filming a project or meeting with current or future clients. Other days it is making sure everything is being taken care of in the office or spending time brainstorming and editing projects with Casey. I’m also primarily responsible for graphic design and web design in our company so that may also keep me in the office. Everything we do however is custom designed for our clients, and we ensure that their brand shows through, the benefit for me is I get out of the office a lot to film, photograph, etc. I also do my best to take time to workout regularly and of course there is always family time.

Avil Beckford: How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?

Michael McCleary: I find projects I love to do. I’m fascinated by different people, thoughts, locations and industries, so this career is perfect for me. Things are always different and on the move and that is something that keeps me motivated. The recent completion of this film has also provided an additional level of motivation. I’ve seen and talked with people who have had a life changing experience after watching our film. They are now taking a more proactive role in shaping the life they want.  How can you not be motivated to know that what you are doing is making people’s lives better?

Avil Beckford: If you had to start over from scratch, knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?

Michael McCleary: There are some things I would do differently, but on the other hand, my life experiences have made me who I am today.  That may sound like a cop-out, but it’s true.  If I had to pick a few “somethings” that I would give advice for others to do or do differently, I’d recommend taking school more seriously.  I did fine in university, but was by no means the top of my class.  I was always active in various clubs and organizations.  I sometimes let schoolwork slip and I realize how important that is now, simply learning the discipline to create good work habits early.

Avil Beckford: What’s the most important business (or other) discovery you’ve made in the past year?

Michael McCleary: I’m good enough and have something unique to share with the world.  I’ve always looked at other companies and been somewhat envious.  I’ve also looked at other individuals the same way.  I’d look at myself and have a bit of a complex on whether I looked good enough, or was smart enough, or wise enough.  I realize now I have a fascinating story, and a unique set of skills that many people would kill for.  I know I can hang with the big boys now, and that was the biggest thing I had to realize.

Avil Beckford: What’s one of the biggest advances in your industry over the past five years?

Michael McCleary: Digital technology for not only recording video/film, but also editing and storage.  Technology has come so far that it has evened the playing field much more in regards to the quality of an image you can capture compared to those with much more expensive equipment.  It has put pressure on the income you can generate from clients because anyone with decent equipment is out there promising the world.  Can they necessarily deliver it, no.  This also places an additional burden of proof on producers that we can offer something unique for our clients, and a much more experienced understanding of their needs.

Avil Beckford: What are the three threats to your business, your success, and how are you handling them?

Michael McCleary: As I noted before, 1. The introduction of quality cameras at near consumer prices.  2. Powerful video editing software is now available for virtually any computer that can allow any consumer to create powerful videos.  3. The downturn in the US and particularly the Michigan economy has also made finding new projects more difficult.  What we have found with problems 1 and 2 is to demonstrate the quality we bring to a project and also to demonstrate to potential clients that making their own video that will get consumers to buy their product is not all that easy.  We’ve attacked our third problem by diversifying and doing more projects outside of Michigan in Canada, Florida and others.

Avil Beckford: What’s unique about the service that you provide?

Michael McCleary: We take the time to understand our client, their needs, mission and their branding. By doing that, all of our web, graphic design and video work looks professional and like them.  It exudes their organization.  We don’t just make a video for a video’s sake, but to share their extraordinary story.  All companies have a story, and that’s what clients want to know.

In regards to our recent foray into filmmaking and mine into speaking, we have a unique vision of success.  Instead of interviewing people that most everyone knows, I chose unknown people, like your neighbors, who also have fascinating, compelling, extraordinary stories and outlooks on life to share.  Through the creation of our company and this film, I’ve come to realize success is much more than the tangible value we often assign to it.

Avil Beckford: What do you observe most people in your field doing badly that you think you do well?

Michael McCleary: Getting a message across and making it stick.  In our industry I often find people will spend a lot of money for a video that doesn’t tell the viewer anything related to the message they were trying to send, or doesn’t encourage consumers why they should purchase the product or service.  It’s one thing to make a flashy, pretty, even artistic video, it’s another to create something that is effective and encourages a buying decision.

Avil Beckford: Describe a major business (or other) challenge you had and how you resolved it.

Michael McCleary: When I got into this industry I didn’t have the experience or funding to do things the right way on my own.  So I found others who had that experience and were open to finding unique ways to partner.  I’ve found that if you really want to do something but don’t have a lot of your needs (whether that is money, experience, etc.), I encourage others to do it anyway.  Take meaningful steps towards what it is you want to accomplish and resources will show up in strange ways.  But you have to take daily steps of faith and persevere even when times look impossible.

Avil Beckford: What lessons did you learn in the process?

Michael McCleary: I’ve learned success is much more than your bank account or big things.  Success is the little things we get right every day.  It’s about following through and finishing what you start.  It’s about relationships and time with loved ones.  It’s about finding that happy place inside each one of us, a place where you know that if you checked out of this life tomorrow, you are proud of what you have accomplished so far.

Avil Beckford: Tell me about your big break and who gave you.

Michael McCleary: I’ve had a lot of big breaks.  There are three that stick out to me.  My first was in 9th grade my coach selecting me for the 9th grade basketball team.  I was probably the least talented or skilled of anyone who tried out, but I worked harder than all of them.  I’d never made a team before, I’d always been cut, but I had persevered, every summer shooting baskets all summer long and going to camps.  When I finally made that team, it showed me that hard work really was rewarded.  I’ve never forgotten that.

The second had to be meeting my mentor Kandee G during the interview process for my film.  She gave me my first opportunity to work in the speaking business and an inside understanding of the industry I never could have without her help.

The Third was our first video client, Cooperative Elevator Company.  They took a chance on a new company and a pair of kids in their 20’s to create a high quality video with a decent budget who had little in regards to a portfolio.  I’ll always be thankful to them for believing in us.

Avil Beckford: Describe one of your biggest failures. What lessons did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?

Michael McCleary: I pissed off and lost a pretty important client.  I over committed and took on a part of the project I even knew at the time I shouldn’t.  But I always love to tell a client we can do anything, and we virtually always deliver.  This time wasn’t the case, and I blew future jobs from the company.  I learned never to over-promise, and more importantly, keep to areas of the project you know best.  There is nothing wrong with stretching and doing something you don’t always do, but of all things, don’t over-promise in an area that is not your strong suit.

Avil Beckford: What has been your biggest disappointment in your life – and what are you doing to prevent its reoccurrence?

Michael McCleary: I really try not to get overly disappointed and just live life’s dance.  There certainly times I do get disappointed and when I do, I like to take time to analyze where I made a mistake and how not to do it again.  Then I let it go, life’s not worth getting an ulcer over, we have too many blessings in our lives.  Even if it’s just to be thankful for breathing, that means we are alive and have an opportunity to make future days better.

Avil Beckford: What’s one of the toughest decisions you’ve had to make and how did it impact your life?

Michael McCleary: The decision to quit the corporate merry-go-round.  I was very unhappy with my life because I felt my life had little meaning and purpose.  I knew I wasn’t doing what I was supposed to be doing.  On the other hand it was quite scary to give up that guaranteed paycheck every two weeks.  Leaving and starting my own business has been one of the best decisions of my life after I got over my fear.

Avil Beckford: What are three events that helped to shape your life?

Michael McCleary: 1.Getting married and having three kids.  Nothing really prepares you for that.  I’ve been blessed, even when times aren’t always perfect.  2. Starting my company, Beacon Media.  I’ve learned so much from being my own boss and found some of the things I’ve been searching for in life.  3. Taking the time to make this documentary film and sticking with it.  4 years is a long time on one project, but I made a commitment to not start another pet project until this one was done.  That sense of discipline had a profound impact on my life along with everything I learned from the process of interviewing 20 extraordinary individuals. I liked this response about mentors “What most people don’t realize is that they have mentors around them all the time and they probably don’t realize it.  Our friends, family, employers, co-workers, writers, God.  They are all there influencing us every day, in ways we often don’t understand or grasp.

Avil Beckford: What’s an accomplishment that you are proudest of?

Michael McCleary: I could say my children, but I think in the end, right now, I’m proudest of this film.  It really is an expression and culmination of everything I’ve learned so far in my life (including lessons learned from my children).  It has had a positive effect on virtually everyone who has seen it.  Can I ask for anything more?

Avil Beckford: How did mentors influence your life?

Michael McCleary: Immensely.  I’ve learned mentors are one of, if not the most important factor for finding a measure of success in life.  What most people don’t realize is that they have mentors around them all the time and they probably don’t realize it.  Our friends, family, employers, co-workers, writers, God.  They are all there influencing us every day, in ways we often don’t understand or grasp.

Avil Beckford: What’s one core message you received from your mentors?

Michael McCleary: Every day is a valuable gift from God.  If you aren’t doing what brings you joy in your life right now, you better start looking for it.

We are not promised a tomorrow, only a “right now”.  So pursue your dreams and passions now before you don’t wake up one day and it’s too late.

Avil Beckford: Which resources (books, movies, training etc.) did your mentors recommend to you?

Michael McCleary: Some good books I can think of off the bat (in no particular order), How to Win Friends and Influence People, Think and Grow Rich, The Bible, Now Boarding: Next Stop Your Remarkable Life and so many more…

Avil Beckford: As an Invisible Mentor, what is one piece of advice that you would give to readers?

Michael McCleary: Find your passion and purpose.  I believe we were all empowered with a gift to give to the world.  I’d like to emphasize the words gift and give.  When we give of ourselves and our talents freely to others, amazing things occur.  This doesn’t mean what you always do is free, but find ways to give back.  It not only makes you feel good but also those you affect.  When you wrap the concept of giving around what it is you have a passion for, you find moments of joy that are truly amazing and almost unexplainable.  If you don’t feel you have found a purpose or passion, begin that search now!

How can you apply Michael’s interview? Which aspects resonated with you?

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