Dub and Me and a Lesson in Business

I like to be active. I do CrossFit 3-4 times a week (people who do CrossFit always talk about doing CrossFit.) On my days off, I ruck. Rucking is basically walking with a weighted vest on your back or a small child like my friend, Frances' son Roosevelt who weighs 40lbs. BUT, I digress.

Today was one of those days that I ruck and I got to do it with my friend, and sister, Wendy F. Adams, CFRE , who I affectionately call "Dub." Dub and I were doing our usual catch up while walking, avoiding duck poop, and ducks, quite frankly (they are some mean mothers) and the conversation turned to work and employers.

Now, the last few years have been challenging to pretty much everyone but Wendy has had a helluva last several months especially. I don't think she'd mind me telling you she lost her mother last November. It had been a year of back and forth from Virginia to Tampa and back again. Helping mom with whatever she needed help with until she finally passed. It's sad, devastating, and if I'm being honest, exhausting.

Wendy has a full time job who allowed her to go back and forth and work remotely with whatever support they could give her. AND Wendy was and remains SO thankful for that support and understanding. She has been back in town now for a month getting things squared away, dealing with missing her mother, and still working full time. Her work is not hounding her to come back; they never have. To the contrary...they have given her everything she needs to take care of matters here.

And she can't help but feel like she needs to "make up" for the time that she was not 100% there. Most of us do. We feel like if someone takes care of us, then the score needs to be evened up and we need to make up for that.

Not Wendy's employers. They made her understand that NO one is keeping score and they know if they take care of their team, that it's the right thing to do.

They aren't doing that "in order to" get anything but to treat their people like people, not commodities.

And how do you think Wendy felt and feels knowing that her company has her back. She is grateful, relieved, and so very happy to be working for a company that puts people first.

What's the lesson to be learned here? The culture that Wendy's employers have created is one of people first, doing what's right, and realizing that there is a balance in the world.

Is that your experience in your business? Are you in charge of people or are you in charge of commodities? How happy is your team? AND how healthy is your company?

As my friend, Patrick J. Knight always says, food for thought.