The Contented Cow Blog

Building Workplaces That Work

Several years ago, while conducting a series of wilderness-based leader and team development workshops in the wilds of southwestern Colorado, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting a lady we called Mrs. Mac, who, despite being well into her sixties, was still going to work every day as manager of a child daycare center. She didn’t just go to work - her energy, enthusiasm, personal pride, and will to learn and be relevant lapped that of many who were considered to be her peers. One day upon walking into the classroom, I was a bit startled to find Mrs. Mac seated in the middle of the room, on the floor, despite the presence of lots of empty chairs. Though I should have known better after traipsing through the woods with her for a few days, I somewhat worriedly asked why she was sitting on the floor. Her reply, accompanied by an ever-present grin… “because I can.” Participating fully and enthusiastically in a program that was both physically and mentally demanding for people half her age, this lady gave new meaning to the term, “extra miler,” and was an inspiration to all of us that week.

Along with a long list of other admirers, I was equally impressed to learn this week that Prince Harry, third in line to the British throne, has spent the last ten weeks serving as a forward air controller in a British combat regiment in Afghanistan. Clearly, in this case, his service in a front line unit came because he insisted on it, rather than it being required of him. Not unlike Mrs. Mac, he did it because he could. Bravo for Harry, and his older brother, William, who will likely serve at some point in the future aboard a British naval vessel. It’s sad that the Prince’s tour of duty in Afghanistan was cut short by virtue of being outed by the Drudge Report, ostensibly because… they could.

During lunch with a friend on Friday, we wound up ruminating on some of the things we perceive to be amiss in American society today. We focused for a bit on the fact that too often, we do things not because they are necessary, or the right thing to do, but because we can. As a case in point, we talked about the reflexive choice of too many members of our society to file a lawsuit whenever something doesn’t go their way. Witness the fact that it is almost expected that anyone involved in an automobile accident, medical mistake, or employment termination is going to lawyer up and go after the other party. Sadly, the downside is that, aside from filling one more damned law school, dramatically increasing the costs of driving, medical procedures and the like, it makes us far less productive as individuals and a nation. Moreover, we create an entitlement mindset where any time we have a boo-boo, someone else is expected to pay. I’m not sure that’s healthy for us in the long run, and I am quite sure that the Mrs. Macs of the world don’t get where they are by constantly being on the lookout for ways to game the system. No, they choose to take the same high road that is available to all of us, because they can. So can we.

A thought leader in the areas of leadership and employee engagement, Bill Catlette is a seminar leader, keynote speaker, and executive coach. He helps individuals and organizations improve business outcomes by having a focused, engaged, capably led workforce. For more information about Bill, his partner Richard, and their work, please visit their website at www.contentedcows.com

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