July 2004
Treeless Transplanters
A fellow stopped at a rural gas station to fill his tank and buy a soft drink. After pumping gas, he leaned against his car to drink his soda and watch a couple of men working along the roadside.
"Excuse me," the fellow said. "What are you doing?"
"We're working," replied the second man.
"But one of you is digging a hole and the other is filling it in. What are you accomplishing?"
"You don't understand, mister," said the first man as he leaned on his shovel and wiped his brow. "Normally there's three of us: me, Joe, and Mike here. I dig the hole, Joe sticks in the tree, and Mike puts the dirt back."
"Yea," said Mike. "Just because Joe is sick, doesn't mean we can't work, does it?"
Alertness recognizes how our work fits into the process and contributes to the overall goal. We waste a lot of quality effort when we become too wrapped up in the details of a particular job and miss the larger picture.
Training for a Marathon
Two marathon runners may look very similar while standing at the starting line, but it does not take long after the gun has sounded to reveal which runner is mentally and physically prepared for the race. In life, your character will reveal itself in how you respond to everyday situations. External pressures, like physical challenges, bring out the potential you have already developed.
Character growth requires an honest evaluation of personal strengths and weaknesses and the discipline to consistently respond with good character. Rather than "jumping the gun" and racing off to the next great endeavor, develop the character to run with patience and endurance.
Consciously take responsibility for every response. You cannot afford to become indifferent or resistant when adjustments are necessary. Develop the creativity and flexibility to apply the proven principles of good character to each new situation. This principled awareness will allow you to monitor your words, attitudes, and actions so that you can better detect and address character flaws.
The best response is normally a prepared response. Standards, policies, and mission statements based on good character and sound principles can give guidance for successful decisions. However, a personal commitment to these principles will dictate your decisions, opportunities, and relationships where policies are inadequate. These habits allow you to focus on doing the right thing rather than on trying to determine what is right.
If you want to consistently do what is right, with the endurance of a marathon runner, purpose to base every decision on good character, and then be alert to the needs and situations around you. Perhaps you could even ask a "coach" to keep you accountable for your responses. Don't be left behind!
By Larry Rhoads, Executive Director of the Character Training Institute
The Power of Example
Our actions often speak so loudly that they drown out what we say, particularly when we're dealing with young people. When children see their parents act selfishly, they naturally follow that example. Conversely, they tend to demonstrate good character when they see adults making
The recent memorials to former President Ronald Reagan provide an opportunity to learn from his example. As the world pauses to mourn his death, we remember President Reagan’s remarkable life and the positive impact he made around the globe.
Consider the qualities that made President Reagan effective: adherence to principle, gracious respect for others, truth telling, decisive action, and love for his family. Relate these values to your everyday circumstances at school, at home, at work, and in your community. Challenge others to set a good example for younger people.
Perhaps the greatest tribute we can give our heroes is to learn from their examples and make our world a better place to live.
Top Notch Character
While other companies notice the politeness and professionalism of the work force, the teamwork at Meridian Center Electric springs from each team member's dedication to consistent integrity.
Located in Puyallup, Washington, Meridian Center Electric employs about 170 people and provides electric contracting services to residential and business customers throughout the Puget Sound area.
Gerry Zacher and his partner, Greg Dillard, initially used Character First! as a management training tool, but they came to believe it could benefit their entire staff because, as Zacher said, it causes "people to stop and think about why we do the things we do." Accordingly, they did an introduction with all their managers and owners. When this group proved receptive, they extended the program to the field personnel.
Zacher gives these managers much of the credit for the success of the character emphasis because they owned and defended the idea. "Meridian Center Electric has always had strong moral leaders and we will continue to emphasize that," said Brian Adkins, vice president of sales.
Consultant Steve Walsh of Market Counsel helped the company develop their character emphasis and observed the commitment of Meridian Center Electric's leadership. In particular, Zacher, Dillard, and one of the vice presidents take turns personally presenting the monthly character quality at employee meetings. "Unless the top buys in personally, it won't work," Walsh said.
"The program makes us all think about and question ourselves," Adkins
said, observing how some have even taken the lessons home to their families. Network administrator Danene Honemann said, "The focus on one character trait per month allows us to work on that character trait in different situations at work and at home."
"I see this as an ongoing, daily process of making awareness of good character a part of life," Zacher said. "It's a long-term investment in every person here."
By Loren Paulsson
