By Jeff Shepard

During a tough match in a recent tennis tournament, I adopted a symbol with my doubles partner whenever a difficult situation came up. I use it now with my family as well. It’s three fingers. That’s all. When I raise three fingers, and without having to say a word, I can immediately feel the tension in my partner’s face or whomever it is I’m talking with go away. It goes away because those three fingers remind them of three words: I’ve Got This.

I’ve Got This.

When I say “I’ve got this,” that means that whomever I’m saying it to doesn’t have to carry it, worry about it, or try and figure it out. I’ll take responsibility for it. And if it is something that I cannot solve, I will provide the comfort, stability, and empathy that is necessary to get through it. It doesn’t mean that I literally and tangibly do everything. It means that I see to it that everything is done.

When you have demonstrated to those within your sphere of influence and field of professional endeavor that you are dependable, responsible, and that you take ownership to fix, solve, or simply carry the burden of that which cannot be solved, you have freed them up to rest. You have freed them up to relax because they know that they can trust the person who has proven to them through past actions that he’s got it. As a highly trusted teammate, friend and professional, clients and those around you need to know that you’ve got it.

At Hughes Marino, never has a phrase been more appropriate as well. I’ve Got This. That’s the look I see and the feeling I get from each of my teammates regardless of how massive or difficult the challenge before them. Living out the Core Values of delivering excellence and building lasting relationships based on trust, it’s amazing to see what Hughes Marino teammates both attempt and achieve on behalf of the clients who trust us as well as the families who love, support and depend upon us. You see, Hughes Marino is a place where it’s safe to fail if you fail trying your best while caring about others and because, in reality, you don’t really fail…you either succeed or you learn. As Marion Williamson reminded us in her remarkable writing titled “Our Deepest Fear,” “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Hughes Marino inspires people to be their best, to give their best and equips us with the very best tools and teammates to deliver the best to our clients, thereby building lasting relationships based on trust.

Yeah…at Hughes Marino…each and every team member knows and believes…I’ve Got This!