Being asked by the BBC for a response to allegations about supporting sweatshop labor through our supply chain made me feel like a CEO. I’m not going to dwell on that story here; you can read about what’s occupied a good chunk of my time since Sunday in my note to our community on the situation. What I will dwell on here is that feeling, because I told you I would share these things. I described it to a friend tonight as walking a tightrope without a net but with:
- the confidence of knowing what’s right (Bennett would call this True North),
- the reality that “what’s right” doesn’t always win,
- a fear that the group misrepresenting facts could be the one you are trusting, (would they really lie to your face?)
- an unsure audience watching every move,
- some nay sayers hoping for a fall,
- the press looking for a hook (and sometimes taking the bait without investigating), and
- a family (our team) looking for a successful end.
The first and last points create the net for me. The rest of it makes the holes in the net bigger. While it isn’t over, as we still have more investigation to do, what makes the holes feel smaller is a comment like the one I received this afternoon from a team member, Lindsay Patross who said, “You know, we don’t talk enough about why we are proud to work for Spreadshirt. This answer and what’s behind it is one of the reasons I’m proud to work for Spreadshirt.” That “what’s behind it” is my first point, and her comment is the last.
And with that, I’ll leave you with my shirt for today…
Inquiry is
fatal to certainty
(a quote from Will Durant)
I wish more reporters practiced inquiry, like the BBC did. Because of our core values, I’m happy to answer the questions… the questions just need to be asked.
May 2nd, 2007
I wasn’t going to post this because I’m spilling the beans on some gifts I bought, but I can’t resist! I im’d Peter to share in my fun, but he must be asleep or singing or something. So, I just did some Christmas shopping on Spreadshirt. I know, I’m a terrible leader for adding my orders into the last-minute rush, but wouldn’t it be worse for my family to not have t-shirts as presents?
Here’s a sampling of what I did:
- Mom, substituting in her retirement gets: A lovely soft yellow shirt with “A teacher affects eternity“ in metallic silver on the front with a rhinestone peace symbol on the back (she likes sparklies).
-
Dad, fisherman when he can gets: A chocolate (mmmmm) shirt with a black
flock fish on the front and the saying “
Even a fish wouldn’t get into trouble if he kept his mouth shut” in flock on the back.
- Lisa, my sister, gets: A chocolate (don’t shop while you are hungry) shirt with pink flock saying “Believe in the beauty of your dreams“. The believe is in Creampuff font and alone on a line.
- Jennifer, jr. high-aged niece, gets: A snuggly hoodie with “We must become the change we want. ~Ghandi” in silver on the front and a rhinestone peace symbol on the back.
- Caitlin, grade school-aged niece, gets: A black t with “Live the life you have imagined. ~Thoreau” and a red rhinestone heart on the front.
- Richard, uncle, gets: A navy polo with “I’m the decider. ~W” in the “logo” space, because I also get him a Bushisms calendar each year.
- Jane, aunt, gets: A chocolate (I really like chocolate) long sleeve t with pink flock that says “Practice diplomacy: Think twice, say nothing“. The “practice diplomacy” part is in Creampuff font. I like that font… and I’m still hungry!
That’s all I can tell you because some of the other folks might actually be reading this.
Hope these made you smile! I had a ball putting them together. Feel free to drop in your favorite quote or saying. I still have some more shopping to do! (Just FYI, Spreadshirt’s last day for holiday orders is the 18th for 2-day shipping and the 19th for 1-day.)
December 15th, 2006