My Other Names

I don’t even remember how, but “Bug” became a pet name that my wife uses for me sometimes, and I for her at others.  Over the forty plus years we have been together it has morphed into many variations, but all from that unknown beginning somewhere at Rutgers, “back in the day.”  That still remains as my most favorite alternate name of all times.

Very closely beside that of course is Daddy, Dad, Papa and Gary – the way that my kids all refer to me.  My kids of course include the two amazing daughters that we raised from birth as well as the partners that they have joined with in life’s grand journey – their “Bugs,” if you will.

Then of course, Son, Brother, Brother-in-law, Uncle, Grand Uncle, Nephew, Grand Nephew, Cousin are all very powerful names representing so much strength and force in my life that I could not attempt to describe it here.  Similarly with Gar, Man, Dude and all the other amazing names I am called by my dearest of friends.

In the passion and purpose of my professional life, I call myself a Leadership Coach.  Other names that people sometimes use are Executive Coach, Life Coach, Business Coach, Career Coach, Coach in Residence, Consultant, Speaker and Author.  At the core of any of these names, however, the essence remains the same – leaders hire me to get clarify and confidence in their decision making.  This is important because often leaders, and people of all kinds, do not have someone to talk to and help them that is not somehow vested in the outcome.  I ask questions that nobody else is willing to ask, and provide insights that nobody else is able to make.

During my rewarding and successful corporate career I was called things like Vice-President, Director and Manager.  Titles included words like HR Business Partner, IT Business Partner, Career Coach, Process Change Leader, Program Director and Operations Leader.  Business areas I experienced include Finance, IT, HR, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, Legal and Communications.

All of these names are amazing labels that I can put on myself, and I am a better person and leader because of every one of them.  At the end of the day they all represent the same central ball of energy that I am, seeking joy every day helping myself and others around me progress Powerfully Forward, Positively.