Little Lessons

“Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of intelligence.”

The current crisis has revealed the worst and best of human nature. The number of internet scams and criminals trying to take advantage of people’s fears is disheartening. Just as unfortunate is the number of people unknowingly spreading misinformation through social media.

There are also stories of ordinary people demonstrating the power of goodness. Friends organizing trips to the store for senior citizens. Teachers using innovation and technology to deliver lessons to homebound students. Parents finding ways to provide stability in uncertain times.

Then there’s the professional caregivers – the doctors and nurses on the front lines. Being separated from their families and love ones during extra shifts and rotations. Putting their lives at risk to save others and prevent this disease from spreading. We owe them an unpayable debt.

“The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time.” – Richard Cecil

I’m very lucky to have a job that I love. Working with clients, teaching classes, speaking for industry groups, and traveling to some beautiful parts of our country. But as the saying goes, sometimes you can have too much of a good thing.

Warning: The following article on teams contains no sports references, analogies or metaphors.

For me, team victories have always been more enjoyable than individual victories. It may be the feeling of camaraderie, or the process of coming together to triumph over a challenge. Or, it may be the understanding that we accomplish very little on our own, and that we all rely on others for our success.

“In overcoming prejudice, working together is even more effective than talking together.” - Ralph W. Sockman

One of my favorite days each year is the “Habitat for Humanity build” at the National Postal Forum (NPF). Most of the volunteers have travelled many miles to attend the NPF. Instead of enjoying the host city’s amenities, they give up their Saturday to help build a home for a complete stranger.

The team exemplifies the word “diversity”. The 20 or so volunteers are usually from 10 – 15 different states. Some folks are senior executives at the United States Postal Service, while others are front-line employees of small companies. There are expert craftsmen, along with people who are using a power tool for the first time. There are also differences in age, gender, race, sexual orientation and nation of origin.

For the eight hours we’re together, those differences fade in the background. The focus is to come together and achieve our goal – help a family in need. We finish the day tired, sweaty and deeply fulfilled.