Small Initiatives Move Mountains

I maintain a list of positive statements on my desk I copied from Tom Peters (In Search of Excellence) web site. Tom’s raw, in your face statements bring about thought of how to change things in my world every day.

Today, as I read through the list one quote struck me but differently than originally written. Tom’s statement, “No stone unturned: “Small” courtesies move mountains!” I have witnessed this with at least behaviors and attitudes when extending courtesies to people whom probably not feeling their best. A little courtesy moves mountains for them.

What might change if the neighborhood and community businesses extended courtesies in the way of training and education? Before selecting the little red “X” in the upper right corner, consider this program. Consider changes you could make in your community, neighborhood, city, state, or country.

I enlisted in the Navy in 1970 in a delayed entry program. I did not activate until February 1971. I continued to work throughout that period and on one day I visited my barber for a trim. Tom Polston had been my barber forever, and was a customer on my paper route as a young teen. Tom always had time to talk regardless if you were there for a trim or just visiting.

While sitting in the chair, Tom asked what I was doing for a living. I explained my situation including enlisting in the Navy. Tom asked why I enlisted and I explained working at GE paid bills but offered nothing continual. I wanted a skill I could use anywhere.

Up until that time, Tom and I never spoke about my plans and work. On that day, he told me he would have paid to send me to barber school had I asked. I still remember the shock that someone would make that offer. Had I not already signed a contract with the Navy I might possibly be doing things differently today. I made a career in the Navy so no harm, no foul.

Imagine, someone offering you schooling in a trade at his or her expense. Imagine the path someone could walk with skills and increased opportunities from schooling. Imagine that happens to a young person today considered by many as a risk. Imagine someone providing an opportunity to a woman suddenly finding herself unemployed with children and an absent father. Imagine the opportunities for someone spending 10 years in prison because that person thought they could earn quick money selling weed.

Many walk our communities each day trying to scrape any work they might find. Hoping someone notices his or her skills, or their possibilities. We can all make a difference either collectively or as a lone donor.

Putting things in perspective, in the neighborhood surrounding your business, how many crime reports have you noticed? How many businesses become targets of petty vandalism? How many times might we avoid this if those folks found employment instead of finding/creating troubles?

How much are you paying for insurance? What impact would you notice if your insurance cost/claims dwindled from less crime in your neighborhood? What would you gain if your traffic or production increased with a safer community? What if on every street in your city, businesses adopted youngsters, displaced workers, and ex-offenders for training?

It matters little whether they work in your particular business or even in your field. It matters they are more productive. It matters they find self-esteem, self-importance, and self-sufficiency. All because someone extended opportunities they might not otherwise find.

Just imagine!