When
I first met Jacob, I thought of him as an old, old man. He was rich and owned a
bunch of hotel properties, a couple banks and a golf course or two.
I worked for him at a little hotel he owned on West Colfax in Denver. As a
young guy, I managed the property, but Jacob beat me to work each morning. I’d
arrive, and there would be Jacob in the kitchen, scrubbing out the big coffee
urn.
I didn’t get it. Why would a man of age and wealth be cleaning a coffee urn at
five in the morning?
It took me years and several failures to come up with the answer. Jacob was full
of passion for excellence. That’s why he went into his restaurant and wiped the
wine glasses crystal clean. That’s why, at age 78, Jacob helped hotel guests
carry their luggage to their cars when the weather dipped below zero.
Jacob had long ago lost the craving to acquire more wealth. He had health
issues that caused him pain as he greeted guests with cookies in the lobby.
I’ll never match the passion Jacob showed toward excellence.
But that doesn’t keep me from trying.