Understand What It Means to “Wear the Jacket”

Earning the Right to Win: Understand What It Means to “Wear the Jacket”, with Bill McDermott, CEO, ServiceNow, Former CEO, SAP SE, and Author, Winner’s Dream

I first went for my big job interview when I was 15 years old and this was the first time I had a chance to get into the real working world where I traded in paper routes and things of that kind. I waited on a line for this job well over an hour to get to the point on the line where you fill out your application. You hand it in and hopefully you get lucky and they call you up to give you a job. So my mom signed my working papers a year ahead of schedule, which was legal, but at the same time it made me an underdog for getting the job. As I handed in the application I saw a man named Mr. Kelly in a green jacket. And I could tell by his green jacket and his demeanor that he was in charge.

So from seeing him that day and that imagery I always caught on to the term wearing the jacket because I always felt like the people that looked like they were distinguished and had the power were wearing the jacket. And sure enough, I went up to him that day, which nobody else on line did by the way, and I told him that I would work harder for him than anyone else on the line and all I needed was a chance. By the time I walked back home to my house he was on the line offering me the job. So wear the jacket always stuck with me.

Wear the jacket is take responsibility and be in charge. Place yourself in command. Many people I find in business tend to delegate things whether it’s an email or simply the body language like “You’ve got it!” At some point somebody has to declare, “I have it. I’m in charge and I am wearing the jacket for seeing this mission through.” Accountability is really important in business and I like to use that term because it underscores that point.