Sunday, November 27, 2011

Gratefulness

On Thanksgiving eve at my church, I was one of nine persons invited to share what I was thankful for from this past year. As I pondered the assignment in the days leading up to the program I found myself thinking that if I were fully aware of all God’s daily gifts I might find myself overwhelmed by gratefulness. It’s easy to go through life without fully appreciating the many blessings we have—that is until they aren’t there.

In February I spent a few days in the hospital recovering from pancreatitis and gall bladder surgery. I’m more grateful now for my good health and have a new appreciation for the many medical professionals at my church who serve others so well. When we lost power at our house during the recent October snowstorm, I became more aware of what an amazing gift electricity is. This past year several more members of my Wise and Wonderful Sunday school class (80 and 90 year olds) went home to be with the Lord. I’m grateful for their legacy and influence in my life.

It’s ironic that our gratefulness often emerges only after we have been deprived of something. What are the everyday things I take for granted that deserve my gratitude and praise to God? Here’s a short list—some serious and some not so much.

I’m grateful for a loving wife who supports me in my business and a son who inspires me with his personal discipline and courage. I’m grateful for parents and in-laws who remain an active part of my life. I’m grateful for my faith community at Salford Mennonite Church and the opportunities I have to share my gifts there. Thanks Wise and Wonderful Sunday school class members for bringing me joy. Thanks to the many members who have opened their homes and their hearts to my wife and I as we paid them a pastoral care or deacon visit this past year. We received more than we offered in those situations. I’m also grateful for Wawa coffee, Flyers hockey, bluegrass music, and all products made by Apple.

Thomas Merton writes, “To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us—and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.”

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Roots and Wings

Anyone who has worked in a garden or on a farm knows the importance of developing a strong root system if vegetables and crops are to yield any harvest. It is not uncommon for gardeners and farmers alike to thin the rows by removing some plants, thus allowing the remaining ones to gain more nutrients and grow deeper roots. On the farm where I grew up this process was sometimes performed by groundhogs and other vermin, whose motives were far less altruistic.

Many of our prominent leaders seem oblivious to the character flaws that prevent them from realizing their full potential. Like the garden metaphor they would benefit from some judicious pruning, not to make them perfect but to simply allow their strengths to emerge and grow deeper. Every person in a leadership role would do well to offer negative constructive feedback, when needed, as a kind of “thinning of the row” so employees can learn and prosper from their mistakes. Our roots as leaders need to run deeply if we are to endure challenges and emerge strong and healthy.

Likewise leaders need to lift the spirits of those they serve, allowing them the freedom to soar on their own wings to heights they can only imagine. A central theme of leadership is captured in how one inspires others. Far too many leaders continue a reliance on fear and control as the primary method of supervision. This approach does little to instill confidence or invite risk-taking by those we serve. A bird’s first flight may require a gentle nudge out of the nest but is mostly the result of growing strong enough to make the attempt and having a role model to illustrate how it is done.

If our workplaces fail to support the growth of young leaders by providing regular feedback, meaningful praise, or strong mentors we can expect the moral roots of these persons to be shallow and ill prepared for the difficulties of today’s business environment. Without the opportunity to test their talents and skills through meaningful projects and challenging assignments, those same budding leaders will never learn to soar on their own strong wings.

The paradox of roots and wings offers worthy guidance for leaders as they invest in the development of others. And there’s good news! No degrees in horticulture or aeronautics are required.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Integrity on Trial

This past week our nation’s 24-hour news cycle has been filled with stories about the sexual abuse scandal rocking Penn State University. Each day some new more salacious detail was thoroughly dissected by reporters and pundits alike. Riots rocked normally quiet State College the night Joe Paterno was fired. The team, including this years seniors, played a less than inspired game against Nebraska on Saturday afternoon, although they did make a valiant comeback attempt late in the game. It was an almost surreal fall from grace for a highly regarded football program and a proud university.

I will not be offering any commentary about the alleged events or the persons who have been charged, are under investigation, or have lost their jobs. My heart goes out to the innocent victims and their families whose lives have been forever scarred. We should all be in prayer for their healing. Instead I want to offer just a few brief thoughts about the importance of integrity in our personal and professional lives. As the events of this past week unfolded it seemed like integrity was on trial.

Ronald Reagan is quoted as saying, “The character that takes command in moments of crucial choices has already been determined by...little choices of years past — by all those times when the voice of conscience was at war with the voice of temptation, whispering the lie that “it really doesn’t matter”. Living with integrity is a 24-hour assignment. Many of our daily choices seem almost benign in nature compared to the horrific accounts emerging from the Penn State story. Yet integrity matters in the smallest of choices — the willingness to admit a mistake (even when no one has noticed), the effort to ask forgiveness (even when the other person seemed unaffected by our actions), or the costly acknowledgement that our actions or inactions have affected the outcome of a game, a business decision, or a child’s life.

One’s title or position is not how integrity is earned or measured but rather by the character and behavior of the person who holds it. We are a culture and nation obsessed with self. Yet, healthy self-esteem doesn’t guarantee we will behave with integrity. Perhaps the reason we are so jealous and suspicious of each other is because we lack integrity in our relationships and business dealings. As Will Rogers so aptly stated, “I would rather be the man who bought the Brooklyn Bridge than the man who sold it.”

Living with integrity has its own rewards but it is a challenging and often lonely path to choose. When competitors are cutting corners, classmates are cheating, or co-workers are lying it seems easier to imitate than to oppose. Swimming against the current can break ones spirit and will. The reward for integrity is not success in the eyes of others but peace with oneself and with God.

Whatever finally emerges from the sad and heartbreaking circumstances surrounding the Penn State story, I hope it will serve as a poignant reminder that integrity is always on trial. What will be the final verdict for them and for each of us?

Sunday, November 6, 2011

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!