Start With 'Why'

As I promised, I am sharing why Q2 had such a huge impact on me. The next story I want to share happened in the UK. In June I had the opportunity to attend probably the coolest recognition event I have ever been to. In the past I had heard about this specific event being “best in class,” and I always wanted to see what made it so good. The event was held at our UK manufacturing site in Witney and was hosted by Pat Cole, the Site Director. Whether hosting Prime Ministers (she’s hosted two), visiting executives, her colleagues or the 650 hundred employees at the site, Pat is unassuming, eloquent and at ease with everyone. Everything she does is top notch—I couldn’t wait to see what she had in store.

As I arrived on the day of the event, things seemed pretty normal at the manufacturing site with one small difference; Pat and her staff were very dressed up. People on the manufacturing floor were wearing their manufacturing uniforms and people in the office were wearing their normal business casual attire. I thought we must be going off-site to a really posh location and people would get dressed before arriving. I couldn’t be more wrong.

At about 11am one of my colleagues told me it was time to go to the event, and we went downstairs behind the building to a big tent and I wondered how they were going to pull off such a large event. Pat’s direct staff were there and they were rehearsing. They took it very seriously; how would people get food, how they would accept their recognition, who would speak first, what would they say; they wanted it done with precision and nothing left to chance. In about 30 minutes, 150 people came walking from the tent. Like a bell had rang, people knew it was time for the event and they came out to the tent. I thought, ‘giving out 150 awards is going to take all day…’

Pat opened and explained what the day was all about. She highlighted their vision, to be a “Site of Reference” for the world. She reinforced that, no matter what country you are in, what industry you work in, what company you work for—we want people to think of Abbott Diabetes UK when they think about what good looks like. She focused on five key dimensions: Community, Leadership, Manufacturing Excellence, Global Citizenship and Scientific Excellence. She then told her employees that the leadership team was dressed up to honor them, and that everyone in the room had already been recognized individually. So during our time today we would focus on how their excellence impacted the Site of Reference categories.

Hmmm…I was skeptical, how was this “best in class?”

The first category of Manufacturing Excellence came up and my skepticism turned to awe. It was awesome! People that contributed to manufacturing excellence quickly received a plaque, and Pat introduced Chris Pennell. Pat began explaining how the tremendous efforts of those that contributed to manufacturing excellence contributed to Chris’s success in Rugby. Chris is a professional rugby player and he has Type 1 diabetes. He found out late in life (age 19), after he had signed his first contract to play professionally. At that point, Chris thought his career was over. He worked so hard to be at his best, but pricking his finger multiple times during a rugby match to ensure he didn’t die, was an enemy of being at his best. Chris shared how FreeStyle Libre changed all that. He could put on a sensor, train, play matches and check his glucose simply and easily. It was liberating. During his rugby career Chris has accomplished a number of firsts. He was the first person with diabetes to play on the UK national team, the first person with diabetes to score a goal for a UK team and he started a foundation to teach children how to play team sports (rugby of course) and manage their diabetes. Wow!

In the category of Global Citizenship, we were introduced to Tom Donegan who works for a UK charity named SpecialEffect. SpecialEffect is a charity that helps people who, due to a disability, cannot use technology that many of us rely on like cell phones, computers, iPads, etc. The charity receives no government support and relies on the donations of private individuals. Tom shared one of their key successes that was made possible in part, by the donations of Abbott employees. Ever heard of the game Minecraft (my 7- and 5- year old children love it) SpecialEffect developed a way for people with minimal motor skills to play the game by just using eye movement. They gave it to the world for free. The accomplishment went viral, and people all around the globe began using the product. They received a call from Microsoft, who was so inspired by SpecialEffect, they asked for help in developing an Xbox for people with minimal motor skills. DOUBLE WOW!!!

The day went on like this. I left incredibly inspired. I can only imagine how inspired the people who actually contributed directly to the Site of Reference categories were. I kept thinking of the Golden Circle Simon Sinek talks about. We can focus on what we will do or even how we do it, but the most powerful inspiration comes from knowing why we do it. Start with 'Why.'

Pat, Chris and Tom- Thanks for reminding me of 'Why,' I work for Abbott. We help people do things that have never been done before. Our activities, big and small, create opportunity far beyond what we see. When we operate as one team, we deliver on the promise that health can offer. Thanks for reminding me that although it feels good to get a pat on the back, it feels even better to know that what you do has meaning. One thing I truly believe is that if you can’t cheer for your own team, then who’s side are you on? I left wanting to cheer for and encourage all Abbott people, because they are on the side of patients all over the world. Well done Pat! Well done Abbott Diabetes UK! Well done indeed!

#proudtobeabbott #startwithwhy