The Power of One

Friday and Saturday of this past week I spent most of my time attending Business as a Calling 2011, the annual membership convention of Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA pronounced me-da), held in beautiful Lancaster, PA. Business as Calling Video It was an opportunity for education, inspiration, and networking. For nearly 60 years MEDA has been on the forefront of meeting the capital needs and sharing the risk with the world’s poor by investing in the private sector. This past year MEDA helped a record 20.2 million families realize healthier, more economically sustainable lives by working with 150 partners in 60 countries. While these numbers sound impressive the real secret to MEDA’s success is their attention to helping one family or small business at a time.

One such story involves an Ethiopian woman who was taught how to grow rice more effectively on a small plot of rented land. Her determination, along with MEDA’s technical assistance, transformed her self-image and provided an opportunity to lift her family out of poverty. Another story highlighted the success of a market-boosting voucher system that has brought life-saving mosquito bed net protection to 80 percent of the population in Tanzania (impacting 25 million people). The power of one is a common theme in MEDA’s micro-enterprise work.

During a local business tour I was reminded that owners and managers who daily model the values and service standards of their organizations will create an engaging and inspirational workplace. The Hurst brothers at Oregon Dairy Supermarket, use their energizing personalities to charm customers and teach their mostly young part-time employees how to create loyal fans. On more than one occasion during our visit I was impressed as teenage workers served my needs with a smile and helpful demeanor. The power of one extends beyond a helping hand or technical assistance to include mentoring and coaching employees.

Perhaps the most surprising reminder of the power of one was a conversation with a business entrepreneur I had met with only once in a coaching setting. Her business has been steadily growing and I sensed her renewed excitement for the work she is doing and her leadership role in it. She recalled our discussion and credits her recent success to some of the advice I offered then. This impromptu affirmation is validation that none of us knows how our words and work may impact someone else. While I never offer my services or volunteer because I expect some future recognition or appreciation it is gratifying to realize how one person can make a difference in someone else’s life.

Mathematics was never my favorite academic subject so perhaps that is why Mr. Hartman and others who attempted to hone those skills in high school might want to ignore my next statement. When it comes to transforming lives, a one plus one relationship yields so much more than two. The real power of one is our ability to leverage personal relationships into dynamic, committed, and self-confident change-agents in the marketplace. We need more ideas for breaking the cycle of poverty, more positive leadership role models in the workplace, and more coaches to mentor the next generation of business leaders.

Who has been the “power of one” in your life? How will you leverage your professional, business, and personal relationships for the common good? Perhaps some day there will be an addendum to the mathematics textbooks for capturing the lasting impact of practicing enduring values. I hope it reads 1+1=8. Sorry Mr. Hartman!