Foreign Rights: What Would Geronimo Have Thought?

I recently heard from Cindy Sterling, the owner and driving force of SterlingHouse Publisher, that the foreign rights to The Leadership Teachings of Geronimo were about to be sold. Of course, I was excited but also intrigued by this turn of events. Excited because of what it could mean for both my family and SterlingHouse and for the possibility of expanding Geronimo’s teachings to more people. While Geronimo had been professionally fulfilling and fun to write it had not made the New York Times Best Seller list as had been my sugar plum visions when I first put pen (or in today’s world ink jet cartridge) to paper. Intrigued because I wondered what publisher in what country was interested in purchasing the rights to the fascinating story behind Geronimo. I am familiar with a number of European countries especially France since our daughter-in-law is French and I knew that there is a fascination with the American West in that part of the world. I was surprised to learn that it was the Korean rights being purchased. I guess I have a lot to learn about the Far East and especially Korea.

As I thought about this new development I could not help but think what Geronimo would have thought about it. What would have been his response? How would he proceed? How would he relate it to all that he had learned during his life? The Teaching that first came to mind was number 16: Persistence Eventually Wins Battles. As a reminder of the Teaching I re-read from the book:

Persistence was a key to Geronimo’s success as a war leader. Despite failures that would have deterred other men, Geronimo persisted until he was victorious. Indeed, he became the most successful war chief in Apache history. If attacked by a superior force, Geronimo would evaporate into the mountains and return again and again until he had found a weak point in the defenses of the “white eyes” and then attack the weak point. He was like the gnat that would not go away. He and the Apaches could not mount a large-scale attack comparable to the Americans or Mexicans, but he could hang around and constantly irritate the larger force. This persistence allowed him to continue a war against an enemy many times superior in number and far superior in technology.

Teaching

Even though you and your organization may not have the resources or size of your competitors, you can be successful by persistently doing those things that you do well and by avoiding direct, frontal assaults. You can be successful by constantly probing your competitors’ weak points and then taking advantage of those weaknesses. You can be successful if you do not let failure deter you from trying again and again. Persistence is a key ingredient to the small company or the company entering a market for the first time. Persistence is a key ingredient to an individual who wants to be noticed, who wants to make an impression, or who wants to rise in an organization. Use it wisely, and persistence can help you achieve your goals where other attributes may fail.

I guess I can say that SterlingHouse and I followed the direction of Teaching #16. We persisted in keeping Geronimo before the public and this persistence was rewarded by someone halfway around the world recognizing that Geronimo has a lot to say to the leaders of Korea.

Is this where the persistence ends? I think not and neither does Cindy Sterling. If someone believes the leaders of Korea can learn from Geronimo, then it may well follow that publishers in other countries may feel the same way. Wouldn’t it be ironic if the biggest thorn in the side of the United States Army during the Western military campaigns in the Arizona and New Mexico of the late 1800’s becomes an inspiration to the leaders of businesses and organizations in countries around the world one hundred and eighty years after his birth? Talk about persistence.