“Michael, do you know how I know that you’re going to be a huuuuuuge success? Because you’re too GdD#$n stupid to understand that you shouldn’t be doing what you’re doing!”

I first heard this loving declaration from my friend and mentor Tom Cain 25 years ago during my first year in business.

I had just returned from presenting to the executive board of Container Corporation of America and remember mustering a weak and confused “thanks?” to Tom’s comment.