One of the best aspects about being part of YTB are the friendships I’ve been able to form over the years. I’ve never been with a company with more quality leadership than with YTB.

One of those at the very top of my list is Andy Cauthen.

In my humble opinion, Andy missed his true calling. He should have been a comedian. He’s one of the funniest, most witty men I’ve ever met. I once asked him why he never pursued comedy as a carrier. He responded that he has a severe phobia about being in front of people, and his parents demanded that he get a “real job”. I can promise you, if he did pursue comedy, he’d be one of the highest paid comedians to date. Through our years of phone conversations and e-mail correspondence there have been far too many rolling on the floor laughing moments to mention.

Our witty exchanges over the years made our correspondence not only memorable but incredibly entertaining and I can’t think of another person I enjoyed communicated with more than Andy.

Andy’s other key attribute is his attention to detail. I’ve never seen anyone who’s more organized. He’s constantly taking notes and if he doesn’t have the information himself, he knows exactly where to access it. Up until this past year, YTB’s conventions were directed and organized exclusively by Andy. Coordinating something like YTB’s conventions requires a very special dedication and skill. He was perfectly suited with those traits and it wasn’t until last year’s Convention that Andy found someone “worthy” of being charged with its undertaking.

Most importantly for me however, Andy is a trusted friend. Because of our friendship, I’ve been privileged to gain insight on our company that not many people have. You see, like so many of you, Andy (as well as others at the Home Office) is a fan of this blog and our newsletter. Hundreds of new subscribers came into our database due to Andy’s recommendation, and because of his blessing, I’ve been able to gain insight from key people to ensure both timeliness and accuracy when writing about our company.

That’s why this article is bitter sweet for me. For reasons I’m not going to go into completely, I knew yesterday was inevitable. Andy is very much like our Directors in the sense that he had been flooded with offers and courted by other companies. Someone like Andy (or our Directors) is a HUGE feather in the cap of another company. They’re proven Leaders who get incredible offers from all sorts of companies. A longtime friend finally had an offer that he couldn’t pass up. It not only returns him to his home State, but it moves him closer to his family and his mother and father who are getting up there. I admire and respect that his family was a big part of his decision.

While our company has lost a great Leader, I couldn’t be happier for Andy personally. It’s a quality move for both him and his wonderful wife who’ve I’ve also come to know through the years. During both a private conversation with Andy, and during a company call yesterday afternoon there’s an inner peace I can feel in Andy that this is the right move for him and Kathy.

But don’t take my word for it. You’ll be able to see and judge for yourself on this week’s Saturday Morning Leadership Show.

One of Andy’s other attributes is honesty. I can’t think of a better way to get the truth than being able to see and hear Andy speak about his decision and this move from him personally.  From what I hear, Andy taped a very powerful and emotional show done yesterday afternoon with Scott Tomer. Andy is extremely concerned about how this move will be misconstrued and manipulated by those who get their panties bunched up over anything YTB does. Andy asked, and to Scott’s credit, he was granted an opportunity to speak with those he cares most about (the YTB field) so we have a true understanding about his choice and decision – not some emotional bantering that creates questions and uncertainty that I’m certain you’ll find elsewhere on the internet.

Andy’s well aware of the drama created by those who can’t seem to find anything better to do with their time. He also knows how skilled critics are at manipulating, misleading and twisting anything YTB does way out of proportion. Because both Andy and I have come to enjoy how easily distracted these critics can get, consuming their own valuable time, the decision was made to make this video a private communication between our Executives and the field. The only ones who matter or are worthy of getting any type of real answer.

So to the critics, yes, we know it’s probably going to annoy and upset you that your “demands” for answers won’t be heard or answered. All you’ll get is some Press Release to gnaw on that really won’t say much other than we’re sad to see Andy go, but wish him well in his future endeavors. Frankly – that’s about all you arrogant bunch of babies deserve. (Although, most have gained unethical and unauthorized access to just about every aspect of YTB to feed their uncontrolled obsession.)

To the YTB and ZamZuu field. You’ll have a chance to hear from Andy directly, and you have earned the respect of our former President and COO who admires and respects you. Log into you back office for a link to Andy’s message in the next day or two. You’ll hear directly from him concerning his decision. You can’t ask for much better than that.

In closing, I’d like to leave you with one of my favorite pieces Andy has ever done. He absolutely hates this video and claims it’s his goofy twin “Randy”. For me, it highlights a spirit that I think most of us forget all too often. One, enjoy what you do. There is nothing like turning your passion into a profession to make you happy. And two, don’t take yourself too seriously. If you can’t poke fun at yourself every once in a while, you’re not all the confident about who you are and what you do.

And Andy, like it or not, this is how I’ll always remember your tenure with us at YTB. ;-P

Love ya Buddy!

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