My friend, Pete, is the CEO of a large construction company with over 2400 employees and millions of dollars worth of tools and equipment. As he was out inspecting projects he observed that people were not taking care of the tools and equipment as well as they should. Being a man of action, he launched into a series of company wide sessions where he passionately preached, “You have to take care of the company equipment as if it was your own.” Being the conscientious guy that he is, this was Pete’s personal conviction and habit in life.
This “preaching” went on for several weeks until one of the vice-presidents said, “Pete, come outside with me. I want to show you something.”
The VP took him out into the company parking lot. Then he said, “These are the vehicles owned by our employees. What do you see?”
Pete immediately did a double take, followed by getting a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. There in the parking lot were beat up old pickup trucks and dirty, well worn SUV’s. The VP didn’t have to say anything more. The parking lot clearly presented ample evidence that he really didn’t want people taking care of the company equipment as if it were their own.
Communication, especially leadership communication, is a tricky thing.
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Whenever I have borrowed something, I have tried to return it to its owner in "as good as, or better" condition than when I received it. Sort of a "value added" approach to mooching, I suppose. Hopefully, a way of saying thank-you.
If you believe that all we are and possess is "talent on loan from God" (as Rush L. is fond of saying), we have a responsibility to "return it," as we all will one day, in better shape, than we received it. Value added.
I’ve tried to practice that also for most of my life. I owe it to a mentor from my college days named Charlie.
I also love your “value-added” angle. It applies to a whole lot of our interactions with people.
Thanks for the insight!
Though we have to mind the unintended contortions our intentions sometimes turn to,…..I have always believed and practiced that ‘Value added approach’ to Life.
It might not necessarily be more "strategic mooching"….(LOL!..I dont know where that came from!)…..Not at all……It is just acknowledging that since we will only be complete in heaven,.. meanwhile down here, we should make sharing enjoyable and a pleasure!
Well said, eM. I like what you’ve added to this discussion. You’ve put the matter into a relational context. For example, I could simply return something in good condition to you. A transactional appproach. But as you mention, it’s not about the “thing” but about the relationship and if we can make our interactions enjoyable and a pleasure…well, that would be a taste of heaven on earth. And don’t we like to do business with company’s where the relationship with them is enjoyable and a pleasure. Thanks for your thoughts.
And, p.s. I hope that interacting with InsideWork is enjoyable and a pleasure.
Thanks Dan,
I like interacting with IW a lot…read for new stuff at least once after every two days and even share via Facebook what I consider relevant for my friends.
Its just that when I access the site on Monday mornings…IW 52 & I imagine The Hidden Door are still reflecting the last week’s settings,…Can you have a facility that updates stuff with respect to Time zones….Nairobi is +3hrs GMT
& Thanks for Asking!