Last week, following the election, I was taken aback by something a friend of mine posted on Facebook. She wrote “I think the world could use a replay of your famous and powerful speech from the L&B and CBPRE merger (circa Dec 2017) on how ♥ + ♥️ = ♥!” Since my retirement 2 ½ years ago, I had not thought of that event or my address, but my friend felt that it might have some relevancy and applicability in our finding some commonality amid our post-election rancor. In searching through my stored computer files, I was able find a copy of my presentation. I forwarded a copy to my friend and then decided to share it with all of you as this week’s Inspiration.
To set the stage, here is some background. For 27 years I was the CEO of Van Eaton & Romero, Inc., the leading real estate firm in our marketplace. In 2013 our company merged with Latter & Blum, the leading regional brokerage in Louisiana. We continued to operate our Acadiana operations under the Van Eaton & Romero brand. In late 2017, negotiations were finalized to acquire Coldwell Banker Pelican Real Estate, a successful long-time competitor in our marketplace. While there was a great deal of mutual respect for the prowess of our respective agents, there was also a great deal of competitiveness between the firms. We had battled each other for market share for many years. Van Eaton & Romero’s predominant brand color was red while Coldwell Banker’s was blue.
The negotiations to purchase the company were conducted in strict secrecy. None but management and a select number of staff from both firms were aware of what was going on.
As the day drew near for the official announcement, I began thinking about what I could possibly say that might help to build a bridge of unity among our fiercely competitive companies. I also was keenly aware of the pride that the Coldwell Banker agents had in their company and the shock and sense of loss that would accompany the announcement of their being absorbed by our brand. I decided to concentrate on our mutual colors and what the blending of them could produce.
On the morning of December 28, 2017, hidden behind a curtain in a room filled with CB Pelican agents, the broker for the company announced the sale. An audible sigh arose from the crowd and the sea of faces readily projected the surprise, awe, and sense of loss that permeated the room. With that as my cue, I approached the podium.
I was wearing a blue suit with a purple tie and matching pocket square. As I reached the podium, I lifted up my pant legs to reveal a blue sock of one foot and a red one on the other. I then exclaimed, “Those of you that know me know that I love fashion. So, what did I decide to wear today? Blue and Red, of course…and a dash of purple!”
I continued:
“There is a meaning or psychology behind the combination of these colors: red, blue, and purple that I hope will resonate with each of you as you understandably struggle with this morning’s announcement and, hopefully, it may open your minds and hearts to the opportunities and possibilities that the blending of our two brands, blue and red, offers us.
Blue is the color of trust, responsibility, honesty, loyalty and integrity. It is sincere, reserved and quiet, and doesn’t like to make a fuss or draw attention. It hates confrontation, and likes to do things in its own way.
From a color psychology perspective, blue is reliable and responsible.
This color exhibits an inner security and confidence.
You can rely on it to take control and do the right thing in difficult times.
It has a need for order and direction in its life, including its living and work spaces.
This is a color that seeks peace and tranquility above everything else, promoting both physical and mental relaxation.
Blue is the color of the spirit, devotion and religious study. It enhances contemplation and prayer. On the other hand, blue’s devotion can be to any cause or concept it believes in, including devotion to family or work.
While…
Red is the color of energy, passion, action, ambition and determination.
The color red is a warm and positive color associated with our most physical of needs and our will to survive. It exudes a strong and powerful energy.
Red is energizing. It excites the emotions and motivates us to take action.
It signifies a pioneering spirit and leadership qualities, promoting ambition and determination.
It is also strong-willed and can give confidence to those who are shy or lacking in will power.
Being the color of physical movement, the color red awakens our physical life force.
Mix Blue and Red together and the resulting color is Purple.
Purple is the color of the imagination and spirituality. It stimulates and inspires high ideals. It is an introspective color, allowing us to get in touch with our deeper thoughts.
Purple contains the energy and strength of red with the spirituality and integrity of blue. This is the union of body and soul creating a balance between our physical and our spiritual energies.
Purple assists those who seek the meaning of life and spiritual fulfillment – it expands our awareness, connecting us to a higher consciousness. For this reason it is associated with transformation of the soul and the philosophers of the world are often attracted to it.
In the meaning of colors, purple represents the future, the imagination and dreams, while spiritually calming the emotions. It inspires and enhances psychic ability and spiritual enlightenment, while, at the same time, keeping us grounded.
So, while we may have both grown and prospered as our individual colors, together, we will create a new hue – one that is specifically associated with royalty and the nobility – a shade that symbolizes luxury, wealth and power.
I believe that this new color created by our joining together of all that we cherish – your blue and our red – will now produce a richness and will have a quality to it that will continue to command the respect of our peers and our clients for Purple connotes for us all greater ambitions and self-assurance and continued leadership within our industry and marketplace.
So, this fashionista thinks the joining together of red and blue is the perfect combination!”
Lastly, I want to leave you with this thought:
If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change. – Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa”
These were my thoughts and sentiments expressed on that occasion. Whether they have any applicability to the possibilities and opportunities we might share as a country going forward, that is left up to each of us. It’s possible if we strive to meld our colors.
Have an AWE-full Weekend!
William “Bill” Bacque