MOVE: January 20, 2014

It's Bigger Than That.....

Spoiler Summary - Short story of the power of communication through action and credibility through hard work - perhaps the old adage "leaders aren't born, they're made" is true.

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I saw a friend (GJ) this week that reminded me of one of the most important lessons anyone could ever learn about health, safety, prevention or the related.  He didn't really have to "say" anything actually, because if his actions (and the results) were speaking any louder, you'd need hearing protection. He walked in to the meeting room ready, as leaders do, to kick off the meeting and prime the audience.  

After knowing GJ for several years and having had some good conversations with him, he had clearly made some changes with his health routine lately - he looked fit - which made me happy for him.  We traded a few cordial "how have you been?" comments before the meeting started and then he took the floor.  He was direct and measured in his comments and the attendees listened......all pretty typical.....except then, instead of simply saying "and here's Mike from Pro-Activity" he sealed it with a final theme that is so clear -  IT'S BIGGER THAN THAT.

Paraphrased: "I hope you'll pay close attention because this stuff is important; no one wants the pain and frustration of an injury -- it impacts your livelihood; but more importantly because it impacts your life.....this is bigger than today's work, it's bigger than all of the noise that gets in our way, this is about each of us, our families and our ability to be at our best".

It was a strong message that was well-received.....but, after I thought about it more, I realized much of the "strong" in the message was really the strong in the messenger. That same message would not be nearly as inspiring if it had come from someone who wasn't willing put the effort in and walk-the-walk himself.  That same message, without GJ's obvious hard work would lose something.  Not this time - it came from a source of confidence, deep within, because it was real, because it IS bigger than that for this person.

It's early in 2014, and odds are not everyone the Pro-Activity team has the opportunity to interface with this year will have readied their mind enough to see exactly how "big" personal health, well-being, safety and prevention really are; and along those same lines, it's equally likely that not everyone will be ready to let their healthy-actions speak loudly for them.  But more and more and more people are......and it's AWESOME.  

After the meeting portion was over, I took a moment to compliment GJ on his newer, fitter "self" - he said he was happy with the results so far, but still working at it......a work in progress.  He took some of the information we had (in this case about balance and stability) and a copy to share with his family as perhaps they could get some benefit from some of the things he had learned.....and in exchange he left another shining example of what can be done when you see how important it really is.

As always - please let us know how we can help you achieve your 2014 health, prevention and safety goals.

Have a great weekend,

Mike E.