Marc Patrick began his career as a receptionist, answering and redirecting calls, and now he’s a global brand and marketing leader at Beyond Meat.
So, how did he get here?
In this episode, you’ll hear how Marc’s work ethic and Bamboo Circle played key roles in his career growth, and why he will never stop learning and growing.
Don’t miss this insightful conversation with one of the world’s brightest marketing leaders.
Episode Highlights:
01:19 - Marc’s Water the Bamboo story
03:17 - Owning and taking responsibility for every job
04:33 - How sports played a role in Marc’s work ethic
05:38 - How Marc transferred his work ethic into bigger roles
07:00 - How Marc’s career progressed early on
10:22 - The twists and turns of Marc’s career
12:28 - Marc’s desire for continuous learning
13:58 - Who is in Marc’s Bamboo Circle
16:46 - Why Marc gives back to the community
18:17 - What Marc does at Beyond Meats
20:11 - Marc’s passion in the work he does
21:28 - Proudest moment for Marc
23:32 - Overcoming self-doubt
25:21 - Advice to Marc’s 15-year-old self
27:50 - How Marc stays positive
31:00 - What a winning day looks like for Marc
33:04 - What’s Going Well for Marc
35:33 - Marc’s vision and values
40:05 - What things showed up that could have derailed Marc’s career
Guest at a Glance
Marc Patrick is an experienced brand leader with expertise in driving consumer connection and cultural experiences that create impact and stand the test of time. His career began with a solid foundation at top Advertising Agencies, then quickly evolved into 21 years of great success at Nike, Inc. through passion, creativity, and big results in multiple categories, geographies and business functions across the globe. Now building on my journey in the fast-growing plant-based meat industry and continuing to help move the world forward at Beyond Meat.
Notable Quotes
On Marc’s first job as a receptionist at an ad agency: “I knew that it wouldn't be just about answering phones. It would be leading into something else. And I'll tell you, it was brutal, and it was a grind and it was humbling right out of the gate, but I was going to be the best damn phone answerer, you know, and I was.”
“It starts with your current status. What are you doing today? What are you doing right now? And are you working hard and grinding and getting after it?”
“I think the hard work, sometimes it leads to what those big moments are. Sometimes you don't really know what those big shining moments are, but if you're working hard and you're getting into it, it unfolds, it kind of unlocks what those moments are and even more of those big moments.”
On making a move into a sales role: “And in many ways, the sales role was not necessarily a step forward. It was more of a lateral move, but it gave me a whole nother perspective. I thought I was getting a new perspective in product, and then I got an even greater newer perspective as I went into sales. All of those things were just great at making me a better marketer and making me understand more holistically what I was trying to do.”
On giving back to the community: “I do that because there's nothing more important to me than just being known for how you treat people. I think we can't have enough of that. It's just so rewarding.”
“My role at Beyond Meat is really just to champion of telling the brand story, making sure that the reason why myself and many of the folks at Beyond Meat work there because of the amazing mission of brand has to feed a better future to get that out there. If there's one thing common about my day or every day, it's reminding us internally and then ultimately externally with consumers, why the brand exists and why it's important.”
TRANSCRIPT
Greg Bell: [00:00:00] Hi I'm Greg Bell, and if you haven't done so already, please sign up for my newsletter and blog posts at gregbellspeaks.com. Some great reminders and nuggets there, as you continue to water your bamboo.
[00:00:28] It's so great to have Marc Patrick here. He's the senior vice president of Beyond Meats. And it's just, he's an amazing person, cause I've worked with him at Nike and watched him work with leaders and heard him on podcasts, and I'm so excited to have you on, Marc, to speak to Bamboo Nation.
[00:00:45] Welcome. Say, hello.
[00:00:46] Marc Patrick: [00:00:46] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate it.
[00:00:49] Greg Bell: [00:00:49] It's interesting though, having this sort of time and sort of knowing you a little bit, working with some teams that you had at Nike and that and I've just been so impressed with who you are and how you operate. I want to have you actually dive in a little bit about your career and how you got going, because I know you have an agency background. It's just super interesting to me to see what you've done in your career and the teams and things you've been impacted. But like, take us back, tell us your Water the Bamboo story. How did you get going?
[00:01:22] Marc Patrick: [00:01:22] Oh, my gosh. Yeah. Well, thank you. I appreciate the kind words. It's been great getting to know you over the years as well, and I do appreciate it. So, gosh, taking it back, my career started, it is a kind of a funny story because I did start in advertising at ad agencies, which sounds so glamorous and amazing, but I started out as a receptionist answering telephones at Chiat/Day, which is a great agency, but it was the regional office of Chiat/Day, which was about 30 people, and their account was Nissan pickup trucks. And I got my first job, I got my foot in the door at this fancy agency name, but I literally was answering phones. And it's even funny looking back on that now, because it truly was answering phones, it was a switchboard. You know, no cell phones, none of this stuff. So I'm dating myself, but it's true. And that was it. I had a professor at SMU, she had a great network, she's a great mentor, still to me to this day. And she helped me get this job. And I was excited to get that job because, you know, I knew that it wouldn't be just about answering phones. It would be leading into something else. And I'll tell you, it was brutal, and it was a grind and it was humbling right out of the gate, but I was going to be the best damn phone answerer, you know, and I was.
[00:02:42] Greg Bell: [00:02:42] I just think that like a lot of times people would look at somebody like you, here you are, you know look at your career, I mean, it's just actually it's stunning what you've done in your career, to me. You know, in terms of like global brand marketer, looking at all the things you've done, and if we just looked at you, I never would, in my mind, imagine you being a receptionist at an agency. I mean, it's interesting to think about the humbleness that takes.
[00:03:09] But also I liked what you said about being really good in that role, owning where you are, right? Knowing that you have maybe a bigger vision for yourself. Where did you get that sort of sense of responsibility, where does that come from? And what's the, you know, I look at you, I go, man, that is truly a Bamboo Farmer, but where did you get that?
[00:03:29] Marc Patrick: [00:03:29] Well, I think that comes from childhood. That comes from my parents. That comes from my big sister, just instilling values, you know, of just work hard. You know, nothing comes easy. And I certainly was told that by my family, but I also just witnessed it and saw it and experienced it that hard work pays off.
[00:03:47] And so, it starts, you know, you have ambition and you have goals and everything, but it starts with your current status. What are you doing today? What are you doing right now? And are you working hard and grinding and getting after it in a way that people, as they assess what may hold for your future, it's like, well, let me see, let me check in and what's going on now. And so, that's something that was instilled in me just really early from my family, that value of just hard work. And so that then led me into, okay, well, I better work hard at answering these phones if I want to prove to them that I can do something else.
[00:04:18] And so definitely wanting to stretch myself and show that I could answer the phone so well that I had time to do other extra projects and things, but it really starts with just the current status and being present in the moment and just really working hard and grinding. And I got that from my parents.
[00:04:33] Greg Bell: [00:04:33] So I know this about you. I know you're a former athlete, so I sort of want to throw that out there. And that hard work and grinding there probably showed up there for you, right, in track and field.
[00:04:43] Marc Patrick: [00:04:43] Yes, for sure. For sure. I mean, I think being an athlete that definitely gives you that understanding that hard work pays off and it's the old adage practice makes perfect. And so, yeah, I mean, I was in all kinds of sports growing up and in college, ran track in the heat in Texas, and we knew that, you know, if you worked hard out there, you know, in that heat, it would pay off when the big meets came around. And so that's definitely a big part of me and my, my life and you know, just that ability to work at it, to get to the perfection that you want when the big moment comes around. And so sports definitely played a role.
[00:05:16] Greg Bell: [00:05:16] Yeah. One of the myths that I like to try to dispel in people is that this notion of "overnight success." That was really the premise of Water the Bamboo, right? It takes years and years for this bamboo to grow. And everybody in their right mind wants their bamboo to grow, but man, are you willing to grind when there's nothing going on?
[00:05:38] How have you transferred that sort of skillset in your career to continue to water and nurture where you're headed and what you want to do?
[00:05:46] Marc Patrick: [00:05:46] Wow. Yeah, that is a good one. And I, you know, I think that's something that has played out throughout life, throughout sports and definitely in my careers that, you know, you only have a few, those big moments are far and few between, but it's all the prep, the work that goes on in between to lead up to those big moments. And so that's something that I've definitely carried on. And I think the hard work, sometimes it leads to what those big moments are. Sometimes you don't really know what those big shining moments are, but if you're working hard and you're getting into it, it unfolds, it kind of unlocks what those moments are and even more of those big moments.
[00:06:22] And so you have to do the work in between to get there. And that's, that's played out so many ways, right? I mean, even going back to running track, it's like, wow, didn't know that you were actually now breaking that record, that personal best record. So now you're going to run for his leg on the relay, which wasn't even planned, you know?
[00:06:39] You know, if you weren't doing the work, you wouldn't have gotten that opportunity.
[00:06:43] Greg Bell: [00:06:43] That is so, so gosh, I just, I mean, so many things spark in me and I know that happens when you think about it with the audience and what we listen to. But it's interesting to sort of think about, I mean, I just love that you start with, I was a receptionist and then I grinded, I grinded and boom.
[00:07:00] What happened next, though? Like folks see you, right? They kind of recognize you and you start getting these opportunities. Take us a little bit further in your journey in your career.
[00:07:12] Marc Patrick: [00:07:12] Right. Yeah. So as I was answering phones, connecting people to their lines, I did have time to do more. And so one of the things that I did was just helped my boss write memos. Which she recognized right away. I remember her saying it she's like, you're actually a really good writer. And I was like, I've been known to write a good essay...so here I am right out of college, right. And so, yeah, it was the writing and she started to giving me more and more assignments and projects.
[00:07:40] She was like, you know, Hey, I write this. Suddenly that turned into, Hey, can you put this deck together? You know? And suddenly that turned into, you know, what, I'm going to have you actually come with me to this meeting with our main client. Actually, I'm going to have you actually talk about that point that you wrote about, you know, so it just, it just continued to escalate into more and more responsibility.
[00:08:03] Soon I was shortly thereafter off the switchboard, you know, I was an account coordinator, account executive going to meetings and handling things, and it really started with just writing, communication, letting them know that, you know, I was eager to do more. It's like, Hey, don't worry about the phones I got that covered, but you can give me more projects.
[00:08:21] And so, as they recognized me, I was also just showing my ambition and vocal and asking to do more, letting them know that, Hey, I'm not satisfied with just this. I tend to take on more, and things took off. And I moved on to a few other agencies from there.
[00:08:36] Greg Bell: [00:08:36] That is an amazing story. One of the things I think about, when young people come to me and look for advice, I tell them there's two things you need to be able to do, and that's to be able to write and be able to present.
[00:08:48] Like if you can write and present, I mean, that's a valuable skillset. And it's interesting that you landed on writing with you. It was really interesting when I was in high school, my social studies teacher told me, he says, you're a good writer. You should go to law school. I had no idea what that was. And so sure enough, I went, but the writing part is very, very interesting. That's what sort of got you going, and I imagine it wasn't like this is going to be my ticket in my career. You didn't probably didn't have that in your mind, did you?
[00:09:23] Marc Patrick: [00:09:23] No, I never, never thought about that. I mean, I remember my parents were in different aspects of education throughout my childhood and they always placed a ton of importance on writing. But I never thought that it would lead to anything. And, you know, for sure, I didn't want to be a teacher, you know, there's gotta be something cooler out there, you know, maybe some sport or something.
[00:09:41] I did have, you know, a knack for writing. And I focus on honing in, on my writing skills very early on, and guess that worked out, you know, in college and my first job there.
[00:09:52] Greg Bell: [00:09:52] That's amazing. I could try and go on and on and on about that, because...
[00:09:55] Marc Patrick: [00:09:55] Yeah, writing is so huge.
[00:09:57] Greg Bell: [00:09:57] Yeah, It's so good. I appreciate that. But one of the questions I've been asking guests, and I think this is an important one because the concept of Messy in the Garden, is, you know, I talk about it and Water the Bamboo and that your career and what you do and how you grow it as a leader, isn't necessarily a linear path. It's not just. Even-Steven it's, you know, it's just messy, right?
[00:10:22] Talk a little bit about how you've grown in your career from where you are now to like just the different turns and twists, anything that comes up for you, just to sort of understand you a bit better.
[00:10:33] Marc Patrick: [00:10:33] You hit it on the head. It's definitely not a linear path. It wasn't, for me, it has not been, there've been many twists and turns. You know, in the different roles that I had specifically, especially the years at Nike, as my career progressed at Nike, I continued to be ambitious, you know, wanting to do more, like give me more, give me more, but I could not have foreseen that the things that I did and the types of roles that I had. And I had the foundation in advertising, as you know, I was, you know, advertising, marketing, connecting with consumers and all those things. But while I was in one of my early advertising jobs, there's definitely were twists and turns that pulled me out of my comfort zone, you know, so I ended up working... instead of spending the money, you know, you're responsible for revenue, so I ended up working in footwear where you're actually, you know, building product, creating a line, and being responsible for driving a piece of business. That was very uncomfortable for me. And when I was doing that, that took me even further out of my comfort zone into a role in sales.
[00:11:30] And so. And in many ways, the sales role was not necessarily a step forward. It was more of a lateral move, but it gave me a whole other perspective. I thought I was getting a new perspective in product, and then I got an even greater newer perspective as I went into sales. All of those things were just great at making me a better marketer and making me understand more holistically what I was trying to do in my career path. Those were things that just, I never would've thought that I had to do that or had an opportunity to do those things, but they were beneficial in the end.
[00:12:00] Greg Bell: [00:12:00] Yeah. That's really good to sort of think about what you're talking about is sort of leaving your comfort zone. You know, obviously one of the thoughts we always have around that is like the more comfortable you can be leaving your comfort zone, the more you can sort of take on it and it just seems like even the, sort of you were talking about your parents being educators. I imagine there's a part of you that's a continuous learner. I mean, I think that would be, I just haven't met a Bamboo Farmer that wasn't. So I'm just going to assume that about you.
[00:12:28] Can you talk a little bit about sort of the desire or even the need for continuous learning?
[00:12:34] Marc Patrick: [00:12:34] Oh, gosh, yeah. That one is definitely deeply rooted as you know, and we've talked before, you know, it definitely goes back to my childhood. It goes back to both of my parents. And I think just their focus on wanting to not just learn more, but like curious about people curious about what another person's perspective is open to hearing, and another point of view. They instilled that in me really, really deeply,. You know, like their sense of learning wasn't always just book smart learning, but it was more the curiosity learning and just gaining perspective. You know, my mom was certainly knew that my dad, my dad just loved to argue with people, just poke at things and, you know, it's like picking those arguments.
[00:13:15] And it's funny because my kids now say, you know, you're starting to be (indiscernible) . The classic thing I think that happens and I was like, no, that would never happen to me. And I thought about like, yeah, I guess I kind of am, you know because I'm poking at things, but it's that it is, it is constant learning, constant curiosity, as well as, you know, reading and writing all those things. But learning in that sense.
[00:13:37] Greg Bell: [00:13:37] That's super important. I always say that, you know, they say curiosity killed the cat. You know, I would say information brought it back, right. Because I think that's an interesting sort of thing to think about. Like a lot of the people listening they're learners too, and being eager to learn whether it's through a podcast like this or whatever, reading, those kinds of things are important.
[00:13:58] But one of the questions I have around learning and being influenced, I mean, you mentioned your parents, other folks that have influenced you or mentors that have sort of helped you grow in your career. Kind of like what I like to think about as like your Bamboo Circle, if you will, it's that concept of who do you call, you know, when you need help and who's helped you in your career.
[00:14:17] Talk a little bit about that. If you would.
[00:14:19] Marc Patrick: [00:14:19] Gosh, there definitely is a Bamboo Circle, you know, as you put it of folks, you know, that have played a big role in my life and still do to this day. And I think that, you know, there are folks along the way, certainly, you know, I have a sister that's eight years older than me. She continues to be, she's like my other mom, if you will, hopefully she's not listening. Never, I would never admit that to her, but she certainly plays a role as a mentor in many different ways. But I think along the way, you know, there's a professor that I had that I mentioned, Dr. Kendrick, she's still whether she realizes it or not she probably doesn't realize it, that she's definitely a mentor and played a big role in me. Not only just helping me in my career, but just somebody to talk, to give advice to.
[00:15:00] And then there are various other leaders, that we're not just the managers of me, but folks that I met along the way at Nike, that continued to be mentors to me. You know, everything from, at the highest level, from Trevor Edwards to various bosses and managers, or just folks that I saw in other departments that are mentors to me.
[00:15:17] But, but the other part of my Bamboo Circle, it rounds it out, I think are just peers, just, you know, friends that are just so close that you have those that are kind of like older than you and wiser than you, but then you have those that are alongside of you that you kind of just go through life experiences with, whether I ran track with them or we were just buddies in the same fraternity and we're lifelong friends, you know, who were there when I've experienced loss in my family.
[00:15:42] And they're there, you know, when I, when my kids were born, I mean, all those, those milestones that you have, and they become peers and mentors as well. Cause you know, you kind of share those different experiences. So I'm definitely reflective on this topic a lot now these days, but you go through all the different chapters in life. And so you realize that there's like, there is just, as you said, a circle of people, the ones that she can look to for advice, as well as those that are on a group text every day that you can just laugh about.
[00:16:11] Greg Bell: [00:16:11] Yeah, that's really important because a lot of times I think people think like it's the, you're the singular genius and you do it all by yourself and you can make your career.
[00:16:21] And I haven't met one, I haven't met a bamboo farmer that didn't have, you know, whether it's an older sister or friend or professor, just as you mentioned, to sort of help them sort of continue to grow.
[00:16:34] But one thing I do know about you is you give back, you know, I know you go back to SMU and you give back to your fraternity. You give back. I mean, I think that's an interesting, that's also a theme I'm finding with Bamboo Farmers. Can you talk a little bit more about even your, why? Why do you give back to the community the way you do.
[00:16:51]Marc Patrick: [00:16:51] Yeah, that is important to me. People certainly did that for me. And I think it's, again, something that I learned, it kind of goes hand in hand with the things that, you know, my curiosity and my learning and, you know, it comes also from those that you're helping nurture the people that I'm then mentors for. Because I learned from them as well. And so I think it, you know, we help each other, you know, in many ways. And so, gosh, whenever I go back to SMU or I have an opportunity to speak to young kids or students or dealing with my own children and their friends, or being a coach of the soccer team, the giving back piece, you do find that it is some of the most rewarding.
[00:17:33] I do that because there's nothing more important to me than just being known for how you treat people. You know, I think we can't have enough of that. It's just so rewarding. It's so refreshing and you gain so much of it. And so that's definitely something really important to me, whether it's a formal giveback or an informal give back.
[00:17:50] Greg Bell: [00:17:50] Yeah, that's really, really, really cool. Because I like to think about that like there's three tiers of mentorship. There's somebody that sort of senior over you. And then I liked how you described your peers, but then the give back is also that mentorship.
[00:18:04] My life, what I found is the ones that I'm trying to help are helping me more than anybody else.
[00:18:11] These kids I'm mentoring. I'm going, man, you're the one helping me.
[00:18:17] That's really good. That's really one of the curiosities I have, and I'm sure the audience does too, what does the Senior Vice President of Global Brand Strategies at Beyond Meat do? What do you do? What's your role?
[00:18:34] Like, how do you, how do you describe that to people at the cocktail party?
[00:18:39] Marc Patrick: [00:18:39] That's a great question. It's definitely not dull and no two days are alike, that's for sure.
[00:18:45] I'm really excited. It's a really great opportunity that I had to be a leader at Beyond Meat. And my role is interesting because Beyond Meat before I got there, it did not have a ton of marketing leadership, you know, they had a marketing team, but they didn't have a ton of marketing leadership, you know, the way that you would know Nike to have, for example, right. The great marketing powerhouse. And so my role at Beyond Meat is really just to champion of telling the brand story, making sure that the reason why myself and many of the folks at Beyond Meat work there because of the amazing mission of brand has to feed a better future to get that out there.
[00:19:22] If there's one thing common about my day or every day, it's reminding us internally and then ultimately externally with consumers, why the brand exists and why it's important. It's really amazing. It's an exciting opportunity. You know, it builds on a lot of the things that I did at Nike, but in a completely different industry about breaking the status quo around how people eat. My job as the marketing leader is to tell that story in a way that's inspiring.
[00:19:46] Greg Bell: [00:19:46] That's really, really cool. There's a couple of things that you said it sort of like for me, I always think about this. I think Steve Jobs once said, "follow your passion." I thought that's a really good message, but I also, it struck me as, what about profit?
[00:20:01] Like, how do you make this work?
[00:20:05] Like, I got passion to eat pizza.
[00:20:11] But also I hear in your, in your statement about your work is there's a bit of a passion play there too. Talk a little bit about that, if you would. I mean, even at Nike, I sort of noticed the passion you had. I just imagine you must have that there as well.
[00:20:24] Marc Patrick: [00:20:24] It is. It's about storytelling. It's a passionate about influencing consumer behavior, you know, having the ability to challenge the status quo, but to do it in a way that is inviting and inspiring to people. And you're actually making an impact on what they do and how they behave. And to your point, yeah, it's a company, it's a business it's about growing and selling and all those things.
[00:20:45] But my passion personally, sure, it leads to those things, but it is about just getting people to experience something in a way that's unique or reach their potential. And so when you connect the dots and put those things together, in your job, and then it's around doing something that is so positive and it's helping people reach their potential or do something they never thought they would do. It's pretty exciting. It's a pretty cool thing to do. I was behind that in some shape or form, you know, and it resonated.
[00:21:14] Greg Bell: [00:21:14] That gives me goosebumps. I love those kinds of moments where, you know, wow. I had a little bit to do with that, or that is a good way to describe and think about passion and storytelling and that I know you're a terrific storyteller.
[00:21:28] In your career, what are you most proud of? Like, is there something that you're like, ah, man, I'm so proud of this moment or proud of being a part of that.
[00:21:38] Marc Patrick: [00:21:38] When I think about a moment in my career that I was most proud of was when I went back, I had a job assignment to go back to New York to the East coast and lead the brand marketing team for the East coast, which is predominantly about New York. And early in my childhood I grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, right outside of New York. So I knew New York and I didn't live there all of my life, but a good part of my life. So I really understood the big Apple. And at this point in my career, I had been pretty experienced at Nike, so I had been a lot of global roles and I understood how things worked at the mothership, at the headquarters, so I understood the values of Nike, but I also understood the values and just how to connect with the consumer on the ground, in the streets of New York. And so I had to put them all together. And when I got there, the brand, was it a bit of a mess we weren't winning as we always need to be doing at Nike, nothing less than that.
[00:22:30] Anything less than that is unacceptable. And so it took some time as the leader to get the team right. Then manage the team and then get into the cadence of meeting the demands that were put upon such a globally influential city, like New York. And so it took about three years to really turn the tables and get things right and make it feel like the brand was...
[00:22:50] Greg Bell: [00:22:50] Perfect, that's how long it takes to Water the Bamboo!
[00:22:51] Marc Patrick: [00:22:51] Yeah, exactly. That's right. It takes time, you got to water it and do all those things and take chances and risks. But, I was so proud at the end of those three years, because I definitely had those moments along the way where I was like, Oh man, maybe they made a mistake. Maybe, maybe I don't get it. Maybe I can't do it. But we did it. And by the end of those three years, you know, we were the number one brand with teenagers. And, you know, we had launched all these global partnerships and products and things in every category and we were really clicking on all cylinders. And I think even later it was always used as an example of how we should attack a city.
[00:23:25] To this day, even I think about all the things I did at Nike, that was my most proud chapter.
[00:23:32] Greg Bell: [00:23:32] One of the things you talked about, and I was trying to tease that out with a previous question, this idea of like, overcoming self-doubt. Like, even in that story, there's some self-doubt in you, right? Like how do you, how do you, and how would you advise people to deal with that?
[00:23:47] That's one of the most wicked monsters out there is your own self-doubt. I mean you're working away, you're going and you're like, gosh, is this working? How do you do that?
[00:23:58] Marc Patrick: [00:23:58] There is a few things: call your mentor, for starters, but all joking aside, that is a big part of it is just surrounding yourself with people that you trust and people around you, above you, next to you below you, and being open-minded and don't feel like it's all you. I think one of the best attributes of leadership I learned along the way is that it's about empowering the team and your circle around you leveraging all those expertise and that trust. And so it's easier said than done, but I think that is the main thing that got me through there. And I think along with that also, you know, in doing that, and sometimes it takes those mentors that remind you, but of just the things that, you know, you know, your values, your strengths, some of those things that I learned as a kid, And the reason why I was put there and the insights I had, and just trusting on those things that you have and pulling those things forward.
[00:24:51] When you're in that moment of doubt, again, it's easier said than done, but I think the mentors and the peers help you, but then when you remember those things, it can really help you power through.
[00:25:00] Greg Bell: [00:25:00] Oh, that is really, really good point. I think the idea of sort of relying on your own strength too, because I think when I think about like confidence, confidence means trust, right?
[00:25:10] So confide in self, confide in others, even be confident in your own strength and ability to sort of working that through. That's super helpful to reflect on that.
[00:25:21] One question I have also is what advice would you give your 15 year old self? You know, there's Marc, he's 15 and he's a freshman in high school, you're about ready to take on the world at least high school, anyway. What advice would you want to have instilled in Marc? What would you say to yourself? What would you say?
[00:25:41] Marc Patrick: [00:25:41] Yeah. Oh gosh. I would say, don't wait to go for it. Go for it sooner and faster, because I think, you know, that confidence piece that you mentioned, that the passion that instinct, those things that you have inside you right from the beginning is exactly that passion, that's what you need to draw from. And those are the things that can actually make a difference. And so I think, you know, looking back. There's all those things when you know, you just know something and you know it, but you're like, well, let me wait. Let me kind of feel this out. Let me check things out. Let me check on the left of me on the right of me, and make sure everything is cool before I go forward, but I already knew it from the beginning. And so with age and experience, you start to gain even more of that confidence of how to move maybe a little bit faster and swifter. Going back to my earlier self, I would say, Hey, you know, just trust that right up front and go.
[00:26:30] Greg Bell: [00:26:30] Man, I could use that advice today. That's really good. I mean, that's really good. I mean, just go for it. Like, I think that is interesting about that idea of sort of about three years ago, my word was momentum. Like I just sort of own these words and think about, well, momentum. How do you generate momentum? Well, the battle with momentum is there's gravity.
[00:26:50] I mean, you're already sitting there, you got to get the thing, moving, whatever it is. And in the word, momentum is the word moment, you know, handle this moment to get to the next one. Sure, there's going to be a pause. That's what the um is for, but you got to keep, keep being going. That's just an interesting way to sort of think about it. At 15 you're saying, go for it. I love that. At 15, I didn't know anything.
[00:27:14] Marc Patrick: [00:27:14] No, you're trying to put it out and you're trying to figure it out, make it perfect. But that understanding that you're going to stumble, you know, you're going to have those moments that are just, you're going to learn from take the good and the bad, you know? And so just the ability to kind of dive in.
[00:27:29] Greg Bell: [00:27:29] Right. Cause my advice to my 15 year old self, it can mean kind of along those lines was you know, get out of your own way. Right? Like that's part of it. Right. You're not doing it.
[00:27:40] The other question I have is this is a trick question, not really a trick question. It's just kind of weird question. But if you were me, what question would you be asking you?
[00:27:50] Marc Patrick: [00:27:50] I would ask myself ... I'm very much, you know, I try to keep a very positive attitude. So I would be asking, you know, how do you stay so positive?
[00:28:00] Greg Bell: [00:28:00] Perfect question. I love this question. That is such a good question. I have experienced you that way. Every time, every time I see you I'm going, man he is really positive. When I leave you, I feel better. And I'm not the only person on the planet that says that, right? And so how do you do it, Marc? Tell us what's your secret?
[00:28:27] Marc Patrick: [00:28:27] Gosh. Yeah. Why did I say that? Because now I gotta answer it. Yeah, I know. You know, it does go back to one of the things we've been talking about you. One of the things, my dad would get a lot of great sayings. You hear me refer to him a lot. You know, he talked about mind, body, and soul. Like I use it all the time. It's my favorite hashtag.
[00:28:41] But it, but that was always just about balance. And so I can't avoid it. Something I honestly think about like every day. I mean, I can be having just the horrible day and it's like, well, you probably need to go outside and go for a walk or you need the, you know, you're having a bad day because you didn't work out this morning.
[00:29:00] Or what's going on? Have you, have you prayed lately? How's your faith? Have you lately? You know, like it's just so it's that sense of balance. And so my dad always talking about mind, body, and soul, he would kind of break it down, and those things are you taking care of your body are taking care of your mind, you're taking care of you, you know, your soul, you know, like your spirit. I feel like I'm horrible at it, to be honest with you. But I do think about just having a sense of balance. And you know, every, every day, every, every hour or whatever it is, you know? And so that, I think manifest itself, as people say, gosh, can, you're so positive, optimistic, but it's that it's, that's kind of my mantra, if you will.
[00:29:36] Greg Bell: [00:29:36] I love that. I liked that mind, body and soul. That is really good because I always tell people the mind is quite wicked. Right. You know, it tells you things like I'm not good enough. I'm not pretty enough. And you know, if you don't calm it down, that's going to be a challenge. So, but if you were to follow your heart, your spirit and take care of your mind and your body, it's actually really difficult to wind up in the wrong place.
[00:30:01] Honestly, if you lead with spirit, I think it's hard to wind up in the wrong spot. It's almost impossible, but you know, if you follow your, your, not your head and ego and the things that are sort of buried in there and get you in some trouble.
[00:30:18] Marc Patrick: [00:30:18] And it can be the little things you just put down, social media, whatever it is, you know, that's a part of your day and your routine is like, just like that self-assessment of it. And so, you know, I think that consciousness or that awareness of those things, like what's going on across those three areas helps your attitude, I guess is the point.
[00:30:37] Greg Bell: [00:30:37] Right. That's really good. I, my acronym is way too long. I like, I'm going to stick with your three that I tell people to focus on your FRED's, you know, your, you know, make sure you have Fun, you know, the R stands for Rest E stands for Exercise, diet, watch what you eat. And the S is to Simplify, I think we complicate our lives way too much. So, you know, I say follow the FRED's formula. If you're a little sideways.
[00:31:00] And all this stuff is obviously easier said than done, but I would just be curious if you would give us sort of a winning day for you, like, in terms of getting into that wellness thing, that bounce, you talk about the looking at your mind, your body and your soul. Is there a sort of a winning formula routine that Marc Patrick sort of engages in that you'd be willing to share?
[00:31:22] Marc Patrick: [00:31:22] Well, I think that a winning routine is doing those elements that feel like I'm taking care of myself, and I'm also challenging myself. I'm learning something new and I'm just having some fun. I have a chance to be silly. Express my creative side. And so, my routine is just waking up and having a good workout, getting started, you know, with my coffee and, you know, having a moment to kind of just be thankful and you know, a moment to spend some time with my loved ones, but then as you get into the day, just standing up for the things that you believe in and having a point of view at work and doing things that are so meaningful and fulfilling, you know, afterward, it's just having a chance to let loose and be silly and expressive.
[00:32:02] You know, in my house, we liked to dance all the time. We loved music. And so, you know, there's nothing better than, you know, at the end of the day, Just putting on some music and just acting silly, you know, with my wife and my daughters and letting that out, or if it's going and hitting some golf balls, but it's that it's again, that's that balance, it's that mind, body and soul. And so a perfect day is where you're hitting a little bit of all of those things and
[00:32:24] Greg Bell: [00:32:24] I liked that idea of dancing. I mean, I think that one of the saying of a buddy of mine's father, he always says is that you can't be a sad while you're dancing and singing.
[00:32:34] Marc Patrick: [00:32:34] That's great.
[00:32:34] Greg Bell: [00:32:34] I was like, oh, that works.
[00:32:37] Marc Patrick: [00:32:37] That totally works.
[00:32:38] Greg Bell: [00:32:38] I love that. That's super, super helpful. You know, my latest book is What's Going Well? And when I think about What's Going Well, it's one way to sort of shift that mindset. I mean, you talked about it a little bit in terms of how it fulfills your soul to be faithful and sort of think about appreciation and these kinds of things.
[00:32:55] But one question I've been asking guests is if you would be willing to share something going well for you. It can be personal, it could be professional, it doesn't matter. What's Going Well for you?
[00:33:06]Marc Patrick: [00:33:06] What's going well today I would say, as many folks I think have experienced, is you try to find the positive side of the situation that we're in, is just the quality of time, the ability to slow down, you know?
[00:33:18] And so. The time that I have with my family, you know, it is, it is unprecedented. I mean, I travel a ton always throughout my career and in my job now I would be on the road quite a bit. I was actually going back and forth between cities. And so What's Going Well is just the ability to slow down and the quality time with family.
[00:33:38] I have, you know, my daughter's in college, but the twins and then my first grader and my wife. And so, that is going well. I mean, every night during the week, you know, somebody owns dinner. Whose night is it? You know, you it's your turn to either cook or do some takeout or whatever it is, even down to my six-year-old, you know, she has a night and it's like she can prepare whatever she wants. And so we never did that before and it's just awesome. And so, those things are that's What's Going Well is just slowing down and doing those little things that actually matter more than anything else.
[00:34:10] Greg Bell: [00:34:10] Oh, I love hearing that. It's interesting throughout our conversation, what I hear from you a lot is about your values. I mean, it sort of just comes through and in fact, the trick with Water the Bamboo and the book, I actually started with values on purpose. I didn't start with a vision. You know, I wanted people to sort of really hone in on what they personally care about. And then set their vision.
[00:34:31] What I've found a lot of times what I saw these people, I would call them successfully unsuccessful. It would have all the trappings of a vision, not really knowing their values and knowing who they were. It's like climbing the mountain with no one with you.
[00:34:49] And so I've always experienced you that way, sort of like really driven on the vision part, but also understanding what your true core values are. And I really appreciate that. It's one of those things where I really, that was one of the biggest reasons I wanted you on and have people hear from you because you're, you're this amazing leader. You've done some amazing things in your career, but that coupled with just how you talk about your family and what you do and how that's integrated. It's such a blessing to hear, because we see so many people just drive themselves in the ground and not have their core values intact.
[00:35:26] So it just be interesting if you can speak more about that. I'd just be curious, just your thought process around that. Kind of combining that vision with values.
[00:35:33] Marc Patrick: [00:35:33] Right? Yeah. I think that the further along I get in my career, it's interesting, you know, having tons of responsibility, you know, as a marketing leader for a piece of business, for people managing lots of people and, you know, you have to make decisions every day. You have to do all this hard stuff that is pretty important, especially as it relates to other people and their lives and everything. And so I realized more and more how I lean on those values. There's just with all of the decisions that I'm responsible for. And so. That makes me, I think, value my values, if that makes any sense even more.
[00:36:10] And so I do think about it because it's really important. And so I try to elevate what those values are. Actually even talk about them more openly than I maybe that I had earlier in my career, because I'm understanding them more, but even more open about it, you know, to say that, Hey, you know, it's like, we better not do that or is that completely honest or just whatever the decision may be.
[00:36:31] And so, that is a big part of my thought process, I think just in my work every day. And I think, you know, I think also just again today, more than ever just, I feel like whenever I leave this place, I don't want to be known just for that ad or that project for all those things, but more just how I treat people. And so that comes back to your value system. And so, yeah. So I appreciate what you said. I really do. It's really kind, but I, you know, yeah. No,
[00:36:59] Greg Bell: [00:36:59] That's really important I think. I love it that you're talking about a more too, because I think that's, for me, a leader like yourself is a teacher. So the more you talk about it, the more teaching it, you know what I mean?
[00:37:10] It's sort of like being vulnerable and from that perspective is super important. It's interesting about our time. I mean, a lot of people know what their rights are. Like it's pretty evident. People are expressing them, but with rights come responsibility and in responsibility, I always find that ability to respond and make decisions as a leader, value based decisions is so critical because those decisions have amazing impacts on people, especially from a leadership perspective. You know, my own individual values and they may not have the ripple, but when you're at your level and you're impacting people at a large level, what I found is that leaders that use values based decision making. I mean, it's super helpful. It makes some of your decisions easier actually.
[00:37:56] Marc Patrick: [00:37:56] Right, right.
[00:37:57] If they're searching, go back to what those values were. It's like, Oh yeah. Now I can just know, I can make that decision.
[00:38:02] Greg Bell: [00:38:02] Right. It's like a guiding light. If you would.
[00:38:06] Is there anything else you before we're going to do the Water the Bamboo oath, but is there anything else you want to share with Bamboo Nation? Anything at all? It's on you. You can just say anything you want.
[00:38:15]Marc Patrick: [00:38:15] Just balance, keep you know, have a sense of balance, you know, and think about what those things are. You know, I think one of the things my family and I do, we started doing over the last couple of years is writing down like our, just our goals for the year.
[00:38:28] And it can be like one word or two words. And it's funny because it, when we're doing it sometimes, especially my teenage daughters, it drives them crazy. But. It really kind of helps because then, you know, what I've found is that we'll write that down, it's like, what do you want? And it's just a simple way of doing it.
[00:38:43] It's like, what do you want to stand for this year? And then I think what's happened is somewhere along the way they will actually refer back to and they'll ask me like, Hey, how are you tracking on that? They'll usually ask me that on like a bad day, take a jab at me. But the point is it helps. It helps to find what that sense of balance is. It helps you kind of stay grounded in what your values are and it helps you kind of focus on you know how you want to live your life day to day.
[00:39:10] Greg Bell: [00:39:10] That is really cool. I've done that similar exercise with my kids and what's fascinating, I had them do vision boards and with their values on it and all that. And honestly, it's kind of sneaky. I've used it as a parenting tool, like, and have them go through the Water the Bamboo processes and just go once their vision boards in the room and something goes a little sideways. I go, Oh, how does that fit in with your values and your vision, your goals. Ask them.
[00:39:36] Marc Patrick: [00:39:36] Good time to check.
[00:39:37] Greg Bell: [00:39:37] Yeah, I know. Try not to be, you know, use it as a weapon, but not good idea for people, especially a simple way for them to get into that conversation because we lose track. I mean, I think a lot of times people lose track of what's happening. And one of the things I have to share is I actually hate Pandas. I cannot stand them. They eat my bamboo. Right.
[00:39:59] But what's a Panda though? And as like procrastination, maybe having self-doubt, you talked about. What pandas have you seen show up for people or even for yourself, the things that can actually derail your career? I'd just be curious, what you seen and more aware of in terms of, you know, that it doesn't seem like it's a big deal, but it can actually hurt a person in terms of what they're trying to do.
[00:40:23] Marc Patrick: [00:40:23] You know, there's any number of things. I mean, it could be like competition or it could be, you know, it could be...actually that's kind of a deep one. It could be the, you know, just when I say competition, I mean, like the visibility of things of somebody else or something else that's happening. And you're, you know, it kind of throws you off a little bit just because it's a little bit more visible, but it doesn't mean that it should be taken away from what your goal is or your vision. Does that make sense? It's like the, all the other stuff around you, why are you even looking at that, why did you even notice that?
[00:40:59] Greg Bell: [00:40:59] That's an excellent Panda. I mean, I talk about that in my latest book, What's Going Well?
[00:41:04] And I go, I tell people that, you know, the Joneses. They quit a long time ago. Like you were trying to keep up with them. They're like, Oh, we're going to the beach. You know, when the Joneses or the person you're competing with this mythical person, you don't really know what's going on inside after all. But it's interesting once you catch up with the Joneses or whatever your competition is, They just refinance anyway.
[00:41:29] I never catch them. And I think that it's interesting. It seems like competition actually destroys being present too. it is a wicked Panda.
[00:41:38] Marc Patrick: [00:41:38] You become reactive as opposed to, you know, whatever that goal is that you wrote down and you then focused on that thing versus, you know, yourself and it really does throw you off, you know, and I've definitely seen that. Seeing that with myself happen, I've seen it, you know, at work happened. I mean, it's, it happens so often, but it's just it can definitely throw you. And so...
[00:41:58] Greg Bell: [00:41:58] Oh, thank you for that. That is a good nugget, because I think, you know, everyone listening to this has had that happen. I mean, everybody, you know, shiny object over there or whatever, and it gets you off track to what you're about and what you're doing and what you're trying to water.
[00:42:11] That's a really, really, really valuable thing. Mark, I know you're a really busy guy and I just appreciate you giving us this time. It means so much to me that you would do that.
[00:42:20] But, I have one more request and I'm gonna have you do the Water the Bamboo oath. I think I had your team do it too. People listening, I want them to do it as well. So I have my bamboo band on, so I'm going to raise it and you can raise your right hand if you will.
[00:42:33] Marc Patrick: [00:42:33] All right. I'll raise my...I even my book.
[00:42:36] Greg Bell: [00:42:36] Oh, you got your book. Okay.
[00:42:39] No matter what challenges come my way.
[00:42:41] Marc Patrick: [00:42:41] No matter what challenges come my way.
[00:42:43] Greg Bell: [00:42:43] I will.
[00:42:44] Marc Patrick: [00:42:44] I will
[00:42:45] Greg Bell: [00:42:45] Continue.
[00:42:47] Marc Patrick: [00:42:47] Continue.
[00:42:48] Greg Bell: [00:42:48] To Water the Bamboo
[00:42:49] Marc Patrick: [00:42:49] To Water the Bamboo.
[00:42:50] Greg Bell: [00:42:50] Oh, that is great. Thank you so much. I admire you as a leader, as a person, and I know the audience will just love hearing from you. So I really appreciate you taking the time to do this.
[00:43:01] Marc Patrick: [00:43:01] Thank you so much. No, I appreciate it. It was fun and it was my pleasure.
[00:43:05] Greg Bell: [00:43:05] All right. Take care, man.
[00:43:06] Marc Patrick: [00:43:06] All right, take care. You too.
[00:43:08] Greg Bell: [00:43:08] Thank you.
[00:43:11] Marc Patrick, it's always so great to talk to him. And I don't want to glaze over his last point there. We always get distracted by shiny objects that can take us away from our core goal of growing our bamboo. If you really believe in what you're doing, stay the course and keep your eye on the ball.
[00:43:31] Until next time, I'm Greg Bell. And this is the Water the Bamboo podcast. Keep watering.