Phil’s good friend Mike Dilbeck joins us for today’s episode. It was such a pleasure to hear about Mike’s project not only because it’s an important mission to support everyday heroism but also because we caught him in the midst of iterating his business branding after its launch five years ago. Mike shares with us how he serendipitously discovered his response ability while producing videos and making films in higher education and how that’s led him to dedicating his life and work to help people all over the world go from bystander to badass.
Watch the show (uncensored & unedited)
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Share Some Shut Up Love –> No one was born with this special DNA that some of us got and some of us didn’t get. – Mike Dilbeck @ResponseAbility #shutupshow (click to tweet)
Fun Facts:
- Mike has been a video producer and film maker for over 30+ years.
- Before starting his own business, he produced videos and film for higher education (national Fraternity and Sorority communities).
- In 1998, Mike expanded his expertise and entered the world of non-profit fundraising where he was instrumental in raising millions of dollars for people living with HIV/AIDS.
- Mike is a professional speaker and expert on bystander behavior and heroism.
- Mike is the Founder & President of the RESPONSE ABILITY Project and the Every|Day Hero Campaign.
- Mike has run five marathons, three half marathons and cycled in 12 long-distance AIDS Rides around the country.
Defining Shut Up Moment:
ON FINDING HIS RESPONSE ABILITY: In 2007, I started a bystander behavior project, also known as the Genovese syndrome. It did so well people kept asking for more. It caused a demand I had never experienced before with people. People were more hungry than usual for this message. Instead of moving on to next video project like I normally would have, my entrepreneurial mind had a decision to make. Was I going to address this demand or not? I made a strategic decision in 2007, we’re gonna address it. I eventually quit my job two years into the project and have since dedicated my life to the Response Ability Project.
ON PUTTING HIS FEAR ON THE TABLE: The biggest time fear was a threat and I found myself sweating was three years ago. I developed a new program called the Every|Day Hero Campaign. I wanted a new website and I wanted to go big. I fell in love with the company that did It Gets Better Project’s web site. I found out they are the company that designed the entire digital campaign for (then) Senator Barack Obama. I’m like there’s no way I’m going to be able to afford these people but I contacted them. We got on the call and they asked me “how are you doing?” I told them I’m scared shitless and I’m excited at the same time for what’s possible. I said, “I’m scared to death I won’t be able to afford you and that will get in the way of me being able to do this project with you.” I put fear on the table. I let them know this is my fear. I didn’t cover it up. I didn’t try to hde behind it. My fears were realized when I got the first quote for $150,000. I told them I couldn’t do that. I had about $150 in the bank. There was a little gap there. We negotiated some and they took their quote down in half and I got a quote for $75,000. I signed the agreement for a $75,000 website. Literally my heart was pounding out of my chest. My hands were sweating. I faxed the signed contract back to them and the deal was done. When all was said and done I raised $150,000.
Shut Up Tips:
Often what we most need is what we can most give. – Phil Gerbyshak
Fear will never leave us. We get to say whether fear will control us or not. Whether we will act or not act. – Mike Dilbeck
I get to create my life. Whatever I say my life is. It didn’t land in my lap like an obligation or burden. That was my calling. The phone rang and said “Mike we need you to carry on this message, you’re the one.” And I carried on that message. – Mike Dilbeck
No one was born with this special DNA that some of us got and some of us didn’t get. – Mike Dilbeck
We’re all just ordinary people committed to living extraordinary lives and making an extraordinary difference. – Mike Dilbeck
I put fear on the table. I let them know this is my fear. I didn’t cover it up. I didn’t try to hide behind it. – Mike Dilbeck
It’s abstract and hard to define a gut feeling or intuition. There was a problem in front of me bigger than this fear and it’s going to take a bold decision. – Mike Dilbeck
My values guide what my gut tells me. – Mike Dilbeck
Over time your gut is formed. Some of us our gut is formed more than others. – Mike Dilbeck
None of us are perfect but we’re perfect just the way we are. – Phil Gerbyshak
Whether we ever say it out loud or not, down deep at the core of all of us we just want to be known as a badass. – Mike Dilbeck
Mike Recommends:
Landmark is an educational program that helps you live a magical, powerful and empowered life. Landmark didn’t do the work for me. I did it. But they gave me the tools I use. I get to create my life. Whatever I say my life is. It didn’t land in my lap like an obligation or burden. That was my calling. The phone rang and said, “Mike we need you to carry on this message, you’re the one.” And I carried on that message. – Mike Dilbeck
Will you take the Hero Pledge?
Find Mike:
Tweet with Mike Dilbeck at @ResponseAbility
ResponseAbility Project can be found at Raproject.org
More About Mike Dilbeck at MikeDilbeck.com
Find ResponseAbility on Facebook at Facebook.com/RESPONSE.ABILITY