It took one short phone call for me to understand Dick Codey.
It was one of those calls that stays with you for a lifetime; its pure simplicity revealing a value structure at the core of his success.
The call was in 2004 and on the heels of the resignation of Gov. Jim McGreevey and shortly after the birth of my first son. It was meant to be a simple inquiry to see if I would stay and work in his administration. It was a 90-second conversation that guided me for the next 20 years.
Family comes first: I didn’t know Gov. Codey well when he called me that afternoon. The first thing he said and all that I remember was: “I know your son was just born. Being a good dad is the most important thing. I promise you can leave the office when you need and be home at a good time every night.” One sentiment that defined his values.
You set the boundaries of your life: At our first discussion around a weekly schedule, Gov. Codey said very casually yet with extreme seriousness. “Tuesdays and Thursdays are basketball practice and those are sacred; I will never miss them, so schedule accordingly.”
In a society that prides itself on relentless attention to work and in a business that demands presence at too many events large and small, Gov. Codey modeled that it was OK to establish personal priorities and boundaries. He was anchored in his family and his sources of joy and purpose. This grounding made him a better man and a more effective public official. Society is just now catching up to what he knew all along.
Eric’s Codey rule of politics: Gov. Codey intuitively understood the way to people’s trust wasn’t by convincing them of the genius of your ideas but rather the genuineness of your concern. If people believe that you care and understand their issues and don’t try to ‘BS’ them, then you’ve earned their trust. If they trust you as a person and they trust your values, they will trust you on the policy.
Humility and putting in the work: Gov. Codey had never used a teleprompter. In preparing for his first State of the State speech, he tackled this the only way he knew how, with humility, repetition and dogged effort. We worked tirelessly on the nuance of speech delivery, cadence, synchronization and the timing a teleprompter and good delivery demanded.
Halfway through that speech, the teleprompter broke. Gov. Codey didn’t get flustered. He just kept going as if nothing happened. When I saw him after, he just smiled at me.
The genius to Gov. Codey’s lifetime of public service was simple. He genuinely enjoyed people. He found joy in the simple act of being with them. He intuitively understood their needs; and he found a life’s work that enabled him to serve.
Dick Codey was in my life a relatively short time. It was a relationship that while short in time, was long on impact. I suspect many New Jerseyans would say the same.
Eric Shuffler was counsel and speechwriter to Gov. Dick Codey. Today, he is the founding partner of River Crossing Strategy Group and a practioner of gratitude, appreciation and the art of chasing joy.
