Dr. dan erickson invested in life’s most valuable asset: people
By Roy Harryman
Happy birthday (March 9) to my late friend and mentor Dr. Dan Erickson (1950-2017). There are only a few people in each of our lives who are truly, unselfishly dedicated to our best interests. Dan was one of those people. In fact, I’m writing this column today because of decisions he helped me to make. He was the rare man who made a distinct impression on everyone he met. An encounter with Dan would leave you changed. Here are three indelible marks he left on me.
See the potential in people
Dan had an innate ability to look at someone and see beyond that person’s present condition. He, somehow, could envision who that person could become. It could be someone struggling with addictions. Or maybe he would engage with an executive who was wildly “successful,” but had misplaced priorities. I was working on the staff of Lee’s Summit Community Church, along with Dan, when he encouraged me to start my own business so I could help lots of others who were trying to do good. At first I flatly rejected this idea. It seemed insane. I was fully engaged and happy in what I was doing. Yet his words kept ringing in my ears. I started slowly, moonlighting at first. But, as of this writing, I have been self-employed for eight years and have been able to help many people, just as he envisioned. He later told me, “I see things in people that they don’t see in themselves.” Indeed.
Never stop dreaming
Dan was a dreamer. I don’t mean he was a drifting, purposeless person. He worked like a fiend. But although he was content, he was never satisfied. He believed God had called him to do great things, so he went after them. This didn’t always work out well, as is the case with nearly everyone who tries to live for something greater than self. But whatever happened, Dan would pick himself up, dust himself off, and move on to the next thing.
If we dream at all, most of us dream about escaping our reality. Dan dreamed of transforming it. And he did. His writing, speaking and personal mentoring snapped many men out of a state of malaise. He wrote several books, with his most popular called “Finding Your Greater Yes!” In addition, he and his equally diligent wife Cathy spent countless hours meeting the practical and spiritual needs of single parent families. He would lead Christmas trips to Native American reservations in the West, delivering a full truckload of gifts and necessities. Beyond this, he and Cathy invested their time abundantly with their children and grandchildren. Dan’s nonprofit was called People Matter. He couldn’t have picked a more appropriate name.
Our legacy is now
Dan was passionate that we live a legacy and saw this as much more important than merely leaving one. He certainly had nothing against leaving money behind for others, but felt the priorities were usually reversed. Instead of holding back our resources until after we’re gone, we need to realize we are the resource. Our life now is much more powerful than anything we can leave behind. He exhorted people – especially men – to be involved in the lives of their children and grandchildren. Dan’s rallying cry was to stop trying to be successful at things that don’t matter in the ultimate sense. Instead, live for a greater yes.
Dan was a rare man who could be fearless, completely transparent, confrontational and tenderly loving – sometimes all at once! And yes, he was a real, fallible human being. In the early years when I was getting to know him, he and I had a big blowup over the placement of a sign. Each of us was equally stupid in that moment. But from that row, a genuine spiritual and professional partnership developed.
Not everybody liked Dan. He could be confrontational and persistent to an extreme. If he needed to accomplish something, Dan was like a bulldog who would not let go of your pant leg. But this seems to be typical for reform-minded individuals. They can see the vision and they must bring it to fruition. I must add the caveat that, when Dan was made aware of a mistake, he always apologized with utmost sincerity. Often more than once.
I close with a verse from Proverbs that he often cited:
“Where there is no vision, the people perish, but happy is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.”
Happy birthday Dr. Dan. You’re the best.
Roy Harryman is the principal of Roy Harryman Marketing Communications.
Helping small businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofits make a BIG impact.
