MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT JAY FRANCIS
HAVE I DONE ANY GOOD TODAY?
On my credenza is a ceramic tile
with a message printed in vinyl
letters. The title of the message
reads, “Have I Done Any Good?”
The last two sentences say, “When
they needed my help was I there?
If not, I have failed indeed.”
Often in business, we measure
success by number of units sold,
or bottom-line growth, or by wins
and losses. While it is important
that we
win games,
increase our sales and improve our
profitability, it is also important that we
lift others and the communities where we
live, work and play, as we build and grow
the company.
We have just completed another Larry
H. Miller Day of Service. I love this day
for several reasons. Lives are changed
on this day. We help at food banks, Boys
& Girls Clubs, shelters, city parks and
neighborhoods in need of repair, and we
assist with many other worthwhile and
needed service opportunities. As we do,
we change families, children, schools and
communities. Lives are improved because
we were there. As employees, our lives
change too, while we serve those in need
and assist organizations that help others.
centers, assist local fundraisers, be an attentive neighbor or
even just offer a kind word and a pat on the back.
Giving back or sharing what we have is another aspect of
service and building our communities. As employees, we have
an opportunity through Larry H. Miller Charities’ Give Us 5
program to share a few dollars from our paycheck (along with
the company we work for) and give back to the community.
It takes every one of us sharing just a little to make a big
difference in the lives of others.
We often hear the words, “Be careful and don’t burn any
bridges.” I agree with that, and I
know a lot of people who have
burned important bridges only to
find later themselves regretting
and wishing they had those
relationships back. Let’s be “bridge
builders” in our communities.
Let’s endear the community to us.
Bridges are used to cross deep
chasms, rough waters, and to
get us safely to our destination.
Many times bridges will lead us
to people we would never have
met, and we make and create
new bonds and friendships. As we
donate our time and resources,
we are building bridges that
link us to the community and to
business and civic leaders that will
allow us to cross successfully into
tomorrow and continue on our
charted course.
WHILE IT IS
IMPORTANT THAT WE
WIN GAMES, INCREASE
SALES AND IMPROVE OUR
PROFITABILITY,
IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT
THAT WE LIFT OTHERS
AND THE COMMUNITIES
WHERE WE LIVE, WORK
AND PLAY...
Serving in our communities should
not be just a once-a-year event. After
participating in Day of Service, each
individual should take a moment to ask:
“What can I do? Can I be a better neighbor, a better spouse, a
better leader? Can I serve others less fortunate than I?” Then,
start making a list of things that come to mind that would lift
and build others. You could volunteer on local committees,
help the Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts, serve food at homeless
LHM Group’s Guiding Principle #5: Go About Doing
Good Until There’s Too Much Good in the World. Asking
ourselves “Have I done any good in the world today?” is a
great way of measuring how we’re applying the guiding
principle in our daily lives. In addition to organized
projects and participating in charitable causes, doing good in the
world can be as simple as sharing a smile, holding the door open
for someone or performing a simple act of service. While small or
insignificant to us, our gift of time, service or kindness can make all
the difference to someone in need.
So I ask each of you these
questions from the plaque in my
office, “Have I done any good
in the world today? Have I cheered up the sad and made
someone feel glad? When they needed my help was I there?”
Let’s make sure we take time to be of service and give back to
our communities and serve others, for in the end, “If not,
we have failed indeed.” WS
Discussion ideas for managers, leaders and teams:
1. Whether you participated in an organized event
and/or provided service on your own, what was your
favorite part of the Day of Service? What was the
most challenging or difficult part?
2. What causes or charities are close to your heart?
These can range from local organizations to national
groups. Make a list of the ways you can get involved.
Are there ideas or projects your team/department
could do to serve together this year?