“It don't take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep."

The sun is rising up over the distant palm trees, beaming past the brim of your Cowboy beach hat like a laser through the plantation blinds of your new oceanfront Villa. The humming sound of small fishing boats returning from their early morning haul buzz in the distance, drowning out the excited voices of children collecting sea shells on the fresh washed beach. You taste a soft salty breeze blow across your face as you rock in your hammock and take in the sweet smell of Chorizo and eggs, being prepared your personal chef. As you drift in and out of sleep, relishing the life you have built for your family, you are abruptly awakened by the sounds of "Mr. Slick: pitching from the front of the room, as he moves in to close the deal: “That’s it just $495 to start your new business and $169.95 a month for your auto ship! Just sign up and let the system do the work for you!”

“Always take a good look at what you’re about to eat. It’s not so important to know what it is, but it’s critical to know what it was.”

You’re sold. After all this slick fellow said it only took him 14 months to make the big bucks. And, he assures me it will only take two shorts years to achieve the same - if I focus and put my trust (and future) into “the system.” Only two short years and I can quit my job, move to the beach and start my REAL life. I should give the Missus a call to see what she thinks. What the heck? Why waste time? I know she’ll agree. Heck, she'll be able to quit her job too! Just sign me up! Like you said, I’ll make back my original investment before my credit card bill even arrives!  This is going to be a cinch! You’re excited and ready to get moving! You slap your credit card on the table and within seconds yer’ phone pings you with a Welcome Letter! Your new business is up and running.

“The hardest thing about learning to ride is the ground.”

You hang around for a while with Mr. Slick counting all the folks you know that need to shed a few pounds. He tells you he’s gotta a good feeling that you’re gonna be the next hero at the rodeo. He hands you his card and assures you, together, yer gonna take this town by storm. So, you shake, as every honorable cowboy does, and head out the door. As you stroll into the parking lot, you reach your car and glance up to wave goodbye to your new hero. You glance up quick enough to see a beat up truck with bald tires fire up it's engine with a heavy gust of black smoke. Yer' heart sinks into yer' belly, as you realize that it's Mr. Slick gazing back at you through the black haze and the duct taped window of his 1992 Ford Ranger pickup.

“Just 'cause you're following a well-marked trail don't mean that whoever made it knew where they were goin'."

Trust me when I tell you, companies represented by leaders like Mr. Slick can easily lure in people with hype and gold carrots (lake lots in the desert) only to sizzle and fizzle. With a meteoric rise, they fade quickly with the lifespan of a shootin’ star. A moment’s glimmer on a dark summer night - they burn fast and bright and quickly fade, leaving everyone in the dark.

Cowboy Creed For Recruiting: Don’t be the goat in a flock of sheep. Build an ethical and loyal team. Set realistic expectations. Be straight. Stick with the facts. And be sure you under commit and over deliver.