May I put RHB behind my name?

This is a compilation of questions I have heard over the last few months.

Dear Dave,

I heard about Real Human Being Inc and RHB Nation from a friend after I noticed she had RHB behind her name on Facebook. I really like the idea of 3rd gear and of connecting with thousands of people who are trying to be in 3rd gear. May I put RHB behind my name on Facebook or Linked In or Twitter etc?

Thanks, C

Dear C.

Certainly you may. The "original RHB" Dr. Adi Treasurywala actually put those 3 letters on his name-tag as he was tired of people labeling each other. Full story here. There is no price, but there is a cost. If you have the letters there, people will ask you about their meaning.

Dear Dave,

I am reluctant to put the letters behind my name as I'm not in 3rd gear all the time. Didn't you say a good guy can't call themselves a good guy?

Thanks, L.

Dear L,

Actually, the RHB doesn't mean you are a good guy: it just means you know the difference between 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear. None of us is perfect. As RHB Juli-Ann Sannuto says, 3rd gear is a journey, not a destination. We all shift back to 1st gear (eg when we are stressed or grumpy or want to have a pity party) and most of us live in 2nd gear (responding to external rewards and punishments.) RHB is kind of a moral compass…it reminds you to try to do the right thing when you can. There is a full explanation of the gears here.

Dear Dave,

Aren't you worried that some person will put the letters behind their name just to get a job or a date or a client? How can you have quality assurance when there is no quiz or test or certification?"

Signed, B

Dear B,

Look at this this way. If someone likes what they read in the Bible and heads to a jewelry store to buy a cross on a chain…the pope doesn't rappel down from a helicopter to make sure they are a true Christian before they are allowed to wear it. RHB is not a religion (we have RHBs who are religious and RHBs who are not) – it just means that you try to adhere to the RHB code: assume everyone is intelligent, have passion for (whatever) you do and try to get over yourself.

Dear Dave,

You shouldn't have to wear pin or put letters behind your name to be a RHB.

Signed J.

Dear J.

You're absolutely right. There are 2 real advantages of the pin, decal or the letters.

1. Other RHBs will recognize you on Twitter, Linked In, on Facebook,in a crowd,or on a highway. Wearing something that lets other people in your tribe know who you are dates back for thousands of years. eg there are recruiters who search Linked In for RHBs eg a CEO once told me that if he had 3 resumes in front of him, and one had RHB written on it, that would be the first candidate he'd bring in for a job interview. I asked him why. He responded:

"I can hire a smart person anyday of the week. I want someone who assumes everyone in the company is intelligent, who has passion for my company and who tries to get over themselves. Listen here for a hiring manager talking about RHB.

2. People will ask what they mean. Then you can explain the gears using your own unique perspective. Every week one or two RHBs contact me to tell me how they found a new job or client or friend because someone said "what do those letters stand for?" You will find that the concept of 3rd gear ("do the right thing") is not new, many people learned it from their religion or their parents or a great boss. Their eyes will light up when you say "and do you know why you don't get angry when they do not wave thank-you?" If you are self-employed or networking for a job you definitely will understand the importance of a conversation-starter. That's what the letters are.

Dear Dave,

Do I HAVE to put the letters behind my name?

Signed N.

Dear N.

Of course not. The important thing is how you act in life, not what pin or decal you wear. RHB nation is not a cult; it's not "us versus them." (heck, we are all human beings.) I'm always slightly amazed and honored when someone decides to do it but I would never pressure someone into doing it (that would be 2nd gear.) My dream is that the more people put RHB behind their name, the harder it is to quickly categorize them eg Muslim, Republican, Addict, Redneck etc

Dear Dave,

If someone asks me about the letters and it turns into a great story – can I share it with RHB Nation?"

Signed Q

Dear Q, Lots of RHBs do this every week! You can send me your story here or just post it on the RHB wall or my wall.

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