Help Yourself! - The Business Case for Helping Others?

A Matter of Perspective

When I first ran to be UNB Law School’s Faculty Council Representative [i] for the First Year Class in 1984, I observed in my election address:

“By helping one another, we help ourselves”.

I was pleased to be elected and serve my class and school.  I used the same observation the next two times I addressed my class and was again elected to Faculty Council (for a record second and third time).  

By serving on Faculty Council, I was able to help my classmates for sure; but, equally, the experience I gained from interacting with Faculty, Students, and dealing with difficult and sometime contentious issues was invaluable to me. 

Seeing experienced Law Professors and Lawyers in action and being able to effectively argue my point was a real confidence booster and tangible benefit, not to mention a transferable skill that served me well as I transitioned into private practice.  

As most people who volunteer would readily agree, and I quickly realized:

 “I had gotten more out of it than I ever put in”.

This ‘helping’ attitude was instilled in me as a young boy by my parents and grandparents, and reinforced by my experiences as a teenager in Scouts, Sea Cadets and Air Cadets.  

I was fortunate to realize how important and beneficial it was to do so early on, as no doubt I would not  be a Trial Lawyer today if I had not extended myself to help others; and, in doing so, learned new skills, gained confidence and made important ‘connections’ that have lasted a life-time.

The practical importance of this attitude and approach was recently underscored by my contact with several important initiatives. Both resulted from ‘Connections’ I made on LinkedIn in the last few months. 

Here's why I think you should consider joining or assisting them if asked to help  - and in doing so - 'help yourself'!

The Halifax Partnership

As Halifax’s economic development organization, the Halifax Partnership helps keep, grow and get business, talent and investment.  It provides connections that fuel business and economic growth. 

Through its partnerships and acclaimed programs, like ‘SmartBusiness’ and ‘Connector’, it creates opportunities for people to connect and collaborate on big and small ideas.

 I recently signed up as a Connector for reasons similar to those eloquently articulated by fellow Connector, Linda Hutchison, of Clearwater Seafoods:

“I am proud to be a Connector to help international students and graduates get connected and settled into our community. Together we can make Halifax a more welcoming community.”?

This simple yet effective networking program connects local professionals, businesses and organizations with immigrants, international students and recent local and international graduates who are interested in starting and growing their career in Halifax.

It is a such a simple concept but has already had a significant impact on those involved, including creating over 450 new jobs, helping new professionals establish themselves; and, provides ready access to new talent and fresh sources of potentially valuable referrals for the Connector. 

I would encourage you to consider joining; or, responding as graciously as my friend, Jonathan Gallant (of wbli Accountants), did when I recently asked him to help a SMU Graduate find an Accounting position.

The tag line for the Partnership best describes it rationale and expected outcomes:

 “Connect.Collaborate.Propser”

       (View from the Halifax Partnership’s Office in Purdy’s II,  overlooking the Harbour & Downtown, taken by me on October 23, 2015)

Enactus

Enactus Saint Mary’s is a community of student, academic and business leaders enabling progress through entrepreneurial action. It allows and encourages students to take the skills they have developed in the classroom and apply them to challenges in the real world. 

As its web site points out:

“Guided by academic advisers and business experts, post-secondary student leaders across Canada create and implement community empowerment projects that transform lives and build a better, more sustainable world.”  

Currently Enactus Saint Mary’s operates eight projects, including working with at-risk youth, eliminating barriers to the workforce, educating imprisoned women, advancing gender equality; and, consulting small businesses and helping them realize their full potential.  

I recently had the pleasure of attending a networking event for one of their key initiatives - ‘The Power of Her’  - which:

“…explores the phenomenon of gender inequality, helping to educate the community on how individuals can be more equality-conscious.”

In a recent Post, ‘Just In Time! - The Fall’s New Landscape’, I  wrote:

"Only when our government and other institutions reflect Canada’s make-up can we truly achieve equality.  Only when we judge others by ‘the content of their character and not by the colour of their skin’ [ii], gender or preference, can we achieve fairness for all!"

I hope you feel the same way too (to shamelessly paraphrase the Rankins). Thank you Enactus for tackling this important issue head on!  Please consider helping them if they (or someone like myself on their behalf) asks you to attend one of their events or networking sessions – recall that “by helping one another, we help ourselves’!

A Little Help

In case you need further support for this concept, allow me to leave you with the wisdom of 20th century poets and philosophers Lennon and McCartney,  who so aptly observed:

“I get by with a little help from my friends”!

In my experience a little theme music is always welcomed, so we get by - With a Little Help from my Friends (and “Cosmically Conscious”), as performed by Paul & Ringo in 2009.

(Photo credit: https://i.imgur.com/tRSaN.jpg)

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[i] “The Faculty Council is a body comprised of the law school faculty, one student representative from each year and the LSS [Law Student Society] President.  Each representative has one vote on all issues raised at these meetings, including curriculum changes, course changes, and scholarships and awards.  Representatives act as liaison between students and faculty to bring student concerns to the attention of faculty.” 

 [ii] Loose paraphrase of Martin Luther King, Jr’s. “I Have a Dream” Speech, delivered 28 August 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.