For the six years I lived and worked on the Continent, I started over 45 salesmen of which 42 became "Million Dollar " producers. (We made heroic efforts to recruit the very best.) Those not producing at least one million in business were placed with other agencies in different companies. (We were limited by the U.S. Military to just 30 agents per company.)

This experience provided me with an extraordinary close-up of people undergoing hard-core change. Real behind-the-lines , on-the-ground, and up-close experience with drastic change.

Think about it. After being selected as one out of 100 applicants, a new agent flew to Germany without his family. (Families usually arrived about six weeks later. We did this so the new agent would be mostly focused on learning the business and not worrying too much about his family.)

Throughout the selection process, travel experience, and having to work in a seriously different environment, new agents experienced massive stress and ensuing drama. That's why we set up a routine to quickly see how each could handle the stress born of change.

Most arrived at the Frankfurt airport early in the morning after an all-night flight. After the usual pleasantries I would get them ensconced in my Autobahn Burner and head for our office near the Frankfurt Zoo. (33 Zeil Strasse to be exact. Just across from a Konditerei.)

On the way, I gave them their First Look at cruising at 160 kph (100 mph) on the Autobahn. After 1966, when I was driving a Jaguar E-Type 2+2, I would show a burst or two of 125 mph. (Those of you who have actually traveled in Germany know this is not hyperbole. Today it's even more exciting.)

This often resulted in a substantial reduction of jet-lag.

Immediately they were checked into a nearby hotel where they tried to get a little sleep. When awake, a three-day introduction to our business began and then six weeks of "basic training" in the field.

All this gave me great appreciation for how coping with stress can be very difficult for folks undergoing change.

This was such a powerful experience that, for the rest of my life, I resolved to learn all I could about the subject. Certainly, I didn't want to reach my current "Ol' Fuss" age and be rent asunder by an inability to handle change.

Delightfully, I'm pleased to say the links-of-knowledge residing on these pages have served me well. They are immensely helpful as I continue writing my own virtual book on "CHANGE".

Indeed, I'm living proof they work.