SHARPEN YOUR CREATIVE IRON IN 2026

COLLABORATION OVER COMPETITION

I was challenged last week while out of the LAB.

No excuse, and I plan to do better in 2026. How?

Collaboration over competition. In this two-week double-up Saturday edition, I want to share a 300-story with you. In the Navy in the early 2000’s, while in San Francisco, I worked for a Commanding Officer named “Uncle Roy.” He taught me the definition of collaboration.

In 2010 during our Khaki Ball in Reno, NV. Notice the 300 Mask on the podium? I’m second from the right.

I loved the opportunity the Navy provided me, and I wanted to share that with others in the Bay Area. When I reported, “Uncle Roy” assigned me to Santa Cruz, CA. When you’re in the people business, you have to motivate and inspire groups to achieve the command’s mission.

This required teamwork through competition. Navy Recruiters were competitive in my era. The ability to sell something you cant touch, taste, see, or smell, like a 4-year enlistment, is powerful. It was easy to see those who put themselves over, placing the mission first. How?

Roger Staubach never lost to the Army during his tour with NAVY.

ME ME ME

During my transition from E-6 to CPO in 2010, the biggest thing I learned was to remove yourself and make it about your people first. In other words, make sure your people eat before you do. Most content creators, I see, it’s all about them. And that’s ok. Continue to do you.

We’re all actors playing our part on this global stage. I also learned that collaboration, along with communication, can solve any problem during that transition. Being competitive is a great trait. Winning in TEAMS is where the secret sauce resides. Not just individually.

Four of these Sailors were advanced meritoriously to the next paygrade in SFO in 2011 thanks to collaboration over competition.

Leaders are simply followers who learn fast and wind up leading others in the process. Leaders aren’t born, they’re created. During my tour in San Francisco, this was the BEST command I ever served in during my 23-year career. Why?

Because “Uncle Roy” created a winning environment for Navy Recruiters to thrive. Not just individually, but collectively. That’s leadership in action. I was a product of that environment. Again, making things about YOU is perfectly fine as a content creator.

Some are more about WE.

Meet RC from Anchorage, AK. The “Coldest Cowboys Fan I know.” Retired Air Force connector and protector. President of Star Gang Alaska.

VETERAN CONNECTION

Initially, I collaborated with retired Army Veteran James Wright, AKA “SUITMAN.” Then came along RC, a retired Air Force veteran originally from Detroit, residing currently in Alaska. Connecting with other veterans who are Dallas Cowboys fans is incredible.

Instead of competing with each other about who is the #1 or MOST DEDICATED Cowboys fan, we put the team’s mission before our own agenda as fans. RC and I will launch our 3rd annual Great Alaskan Fishing Trip July 9-12th in 2026.

BG, Kim Klayum 2-time GAFT Champion, Roqueez, RC’s son active Air Force, and RC on our 2nd annual GAFT in June 2025.

Learn more about the Great Alaskan Fishing Trip on the only blog on the world wide web sharing REAL stories about Cowboys fans around the globe. I’m not interested in becoming recognized as the biggest or most dedicated Cowboys fan. I promote them. That’s the difference.

As you’re creating your New Year’s goals, be sure to include COLLABORATION. My mission has always been about sharing with you who’s WHO in the ZOO with our fanbase. Creating content is therapy for me, and collaboration with other veterans behind my team gives me life.

Nine other veterans and I rode from San Antonio to DFW a Cowboys game with G&S Tours. One was an Army Vietnam survivor. (Khaki pants)

Thank you, “Uncle Roy,” for teaching me a valuable lesson I could apply later in life. Now, if we could have all 3 Dallas Coordinators collaborate on three wins before this season ends, that’d be nice! I’m not in competition with anybody but myself at the end of the day. And you?

Find your lane as a content creator and mash the gas. Stop competiing and start collaborating in 2026. It’s literally what helped me become the creator I am today. Next Saturday, I will dive into DISCIPLINE. Something our Cowboys have lacked for three decades.

DISCIPLINE is what DETERMINES the amount Facebook creators get paid monthly.

Join me on Friday, January 30th for my 2nd Star Party. Donate 88 Stars for your chance to qualify to win exclusive prizes.