We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Erik Qualman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Erik thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
In short, 3 F’s: Family, Faith, and Friends.
I’m a pupil of the Tom Izzo school of thought that “it’s not about me, it’s about we.” The hardest challenge is that you do have to do self-promotion around your personal brand. The way I’m able to push through it is by knowing that it helps our greater mission. Our greater mission is to entertain, educate, and empower people to their best leadership and life in this digital age. Walt Disney started his company with his personal brand, but long term he was able to build something that lasted well beyond his personal brand that impacts people every day. Some days I may not have the energy to be “on” – whether that’s performing, shaking hands, or signing autographs … but at the end of the day these are great challenges to have and what always keeps me going is the mission. I want to make sure we help everyone that needs help. Also, my readers, audience, fans, and people we help are what fuel me — their smiles, tears, laughter, and kind words keep me going.
At the end of the day, my #1 goal is to live up to the #1 Dad Coffee Mug my daughters and wife gave me.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My journey began over 10 years ago with my first book, Socialnomics, which explained to individuals and businesses that social media and mobile isn’t simply about technology, but rather relationships. I started my business, Equalman Studios, as I wanted to entertain, educate, and empower individuals and business to achieve their best life, leadership, and legacy in the digital age. Whether that is by us creating custom animated videos or performances, we work with our clients to create unique experiences.
I’m passionate about social media, mobile, new trends, and beyond because it’s less about the technology and more about the relationships it can enable if used properly. Socalnomics is truly simply about a core need that we as humans have desired since the dawn of time: The feeling of being connected to others.
Since my first book, a lot has changed. We are now understanding that the key in digital leadership is always a balance between having digital tools work for you rather than you working for the tools. These digital tools should not replace face-to-face they are designed to augment it when time and distance are an issue. Essentially you need to strike a balance.
My latest book, The Focus Project, teaches us how to focus on what matters most in this digitally unfocused world. In some ways, it’s an anti-venom to my first book, Socialnomics.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I’m a big believer that things happen for you, not to you in life. My first initial (E) combined with my last name (Qualman) form the moniker Equalman—which sounds like a superhero. For years I avoided the name “Equalman” as it was a constant source for teasing and bullying. Then a magazine, for their cover story, because of “Equalman,” wanted me to wear Clark Kent-esque Superman glasses. They also wanted them to be bright green since St. Patrick’s day was coming up. They stuck. This moment happened for me as it allowed me to step into my story. Today, one of my main messages is encouraging everyone to step into their story. While uncomfortable at first, it is the most comfortable place we can be long-term.
As for me, the green glasses teach me to walk in discomfort every day. They also remind me to focus. And, they have been good for business. While we do lose some business because of them, we gain more business in total. In order to be outstanding, you first need to stand out. It’s hard to miss the 6’6” guy with green glasses and the name Equalman. Companies are now buying green glasses for their virtual or live audiences by the thousands. They are fun and remind people to focus.
There is an even longer story involving Kenya and a Cheetah but I will save you from that – the longer version is on my podcast (Super U).
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Growing up there was nothing I wanted to do more than to play college basketball. After I was cut from the high school team, I realized my dream was most likely not going to become a reality. However, I kept at it, and I loved basketball so much that when I arrived at Michigan State University, I became a manager for the basketball team—a waterboy. I loved being a manager, but I’d still lie awake at night dreaming of making the team as a player.
Seeing firsthand what it takes to be one of the 13 players on the country’s number one ranked team, I started not only to dream, but I started to play before and after practice, as well as lift weights and run. Looking back, by my junior year I was good enough to be on the team, but unfortunately I didn’t realize it at the time. I didn’t have the confidence. I wasn’t willing to walk into discomfort. I wasn’t willing to step into my story. I didn’t try out. In my mind, I was constantly questioning
myself, “How could I, a kid cut from his high school basketball team, play for one of the top ten programs in the country?”
Later that year, in the same week, many of the players got sick and injured. Not having enough players forced me into practice. This was my time to show the coaches—and myself—that I was more than good enough to be on the team. While I was nervous, I was performing extremely well. Then misfortune struck.
Going up for a rebound, an elbow hit me in just the right spot to knock out three of my teeth. I already had one fake tooth. That fake tooth was the point of impact. The tooth I spat into my hand was a fake one. I did not realize that two real teeth had been knocked out and lay on the floor near the player’s bench. I felt that this was my moment, and I was doing well, so I kept playing through the pain. I figured I could get the fake tooth replaced in the weeks ahead—this was my chance and nothing was going to stop me! Or, so I thought.
About ten minutes later, the trainer discovered the real teeth by the bench and noticed that I was still bleeding. They stopped practice and rushed me to the dentist. The entire way there I couldn’t believe my rotten luck—my one chance and I’m being rushed to the dentist. The next day, Coach Izzo addressed the team, “Well Qualman, I don’t know if you’re the dumbest kid I know or the toughest kid I know. Probably a little of both.”
At that moment, and when I made the basketball team the next year, I didn’t realize that getting my teeth knocked out and continuing to play through the pain was the best thing to happen for me. Coach Izzo has built the Michigan State program on grit and grind. He saw this grit and grind in me that day, turning one of my worst days into one of my best days. The next season I made the team and eventually earned a scholarship.
Things happen for us, not to us. Even getting your teeth knocked out.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.equalman.com
- Instagram: @equalman
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qualman
- Twitter: @equalman
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/equalman