OK, so why the picture you ask or maybe it is more like why and what the…? The picture was taken at an event called the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day. In this event over 3000 people walked 67 miles from Leominster MA to Boston. You heard it, 67 miles in 3 days on 2 feet.
My wife and I had walked it the first year and for the next two years we joined the crew of 500 or so volunteers that supported the walkers. Our crew team ran a pit stop; our goal was to provide treats, fluids and moral support for the walkers. As you might have guessed our team theme was tooth fairies (yes that is a toothbrush in my mouth). Sometimes you have to step outside of the comfort zone and adopt a less serious approach. At the end of those three days, despite the benefit of a megaphone (the one in my right hand, not the pretty plastic one) I had no voice left. Let me tell you, it is some challenge to keep people charged when they are physically and emotionally worn. Let’s face it, these people walked for a lot of reasons. Some of them are breast cancer survivors themselves; others are walking in honor of loved ones lost to or still battling this devastating disease. For me, it was in memory of my Mom who had breast cancer yet died of other causes and a dear friend who battled the disease for many years, ultimately to succumb.
But this is not a sad story; in fact this experience was the most life-changing of my time on this earth. Each of my three years participating in this event, I was fortunate to be amongst amazingly selfless people. To say I was humbled does not come close to describing the feelings that surged through me. The tears flowed freely as did the joy, the cheers and the hope. There is no place I would rather have been, no experience that would have satisfied me more profoundly. I discovered strength and passion in me I had no idea existed, not to mention what I learned of so many others.
OK, so what does this have to do with business anyway? Well, here are my thoughts. A business is first, about people; employees, clients, the public at large, and so on. The common denominator in business is people. Yet, when we get caught up in running a business (or for that matter being in business) it’s easy to lose our appreciation for those people upon whom our business depends. That is not something we can afford to do. My 3-Day experience taught me a lot about how I look at myself and at others. You have heard the old adage ‘walk a mile in my shoes’. How about walking a mile alongside yourself? What would that be like? Take a close look at your day to day. How does it feel? What would it be like to be your own employee, a client or even your boss? Do you know yourself this well? If you do I congratulate you as I suspect you are in the minority. If you do not, my challenge to you is that you start the journey. When you do, you will be enriched in ways you cannot imagine.
I know; it took me three days and 67 miles. Start walking...
Ed Drozda, MBA is an Organizational Advisor and Business/Executive Coach with E & D Associates, a firm designed to provide companies with the support and guidance needed to maintain their business and facilitate growth. Whether an organization is struggling to set goals or find ways to achieve them, E & D’s talents and expertise successfully help companies and individuals explore new and creative ways to increase customer and employee satisfaction; decrease staff turnover; and boost overall revenues.
“Many businesses approach me because they think they are having trouble finding the right team,” says Drozda. “In most cases, they have the right team, but they are lacking a solid plan of communication and teamwork. That type of problem can impact everything from office morale and employee productivity to overall revenues. That’s where our services can help.”
To arrange a no obligation exploratory session, visit http://www.4eandd.com or call Ed at 508-695-2146.
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