MESSAGE FROM GAIL MILLER
THE WORK WE DO BRINGS BLESSINGS
think that so many of our fellow citizens have to struggle
I am thankful! I’m thankful for just about
every
day just to survive.
everything in my life; however, I’m more
thankful for some things than I am for
This experience has made me even more grateful for each
others. As Thanksgiving rolls around
of you: the people who make it possible for the Larry
again, my
H. Miller Group to help those
gratitude
less fortunate than us. The
this year
work you do every day brings
has a little
blessings to those around us
different
in the form of “giving”—the
feel. You
Author Unknown
part of Thanksgiving that
see, I’ve
sometimes is overlooked. It is
spent
good to be grateful for what
A wise woman who was traveling in the
a good
we have, but it is even better
mountains found a precious stone in a stream.
part of this past year serving as
to be grateful for what we can
co-chair for the Salt Lake Mayor’s
The next day she met another traveler who was
give. I experience opportunities
Homeless Services Site Evaluation
everyday to help make life a
hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag
Committee. Our job has been to
little better for many, many
evaluate the facility needs for the
to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the
people, and I love doing it.
homeless population and determine
precious stone and asked the woman to give it to
But I realize where the real
the best place for them to be
giving
comes from. It comes
him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler
located. We have spent countless
from each of you who come
hours interviewing service providers,
left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the
to work everyday and do your
residents, city officials, bankers,
best to represent the Larry
stone
was
worth
enough
to
give
him
security
for
builders, medical personnel, police,
H. Miller Group. As a result of
and the homeless themselves.
a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to
your good works, we have
return the stone to the wise woman.
created a workplace that is
My eyes have been opened to the
known for integrity, hard work,
reality of their countless needs and
service and stewardship. That
to the fact that many of us try to
“I’ve been thinking,” he said, “I know how
reputation makes people want
“not see” that which may make us
valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the
to do business with us. When
feel uncomfortable. Often, we turn
hope that you can give me something even more
they do business with us, we
away or ignore their plight. Through
are able to create good things
this work, I have been fortunate to
precious. Give me what you have within you that
for those less fortunate.
learn and accept that the homeless
enabled you to give me the stone.”
are our brothers and sisters who
So, you see, we are all in
happen to find themselves in
this together. We all make
unfortunate circumstances with
a difference. We all have
major problems. For a variety of
an opportunity to help.
reasons, they find themselves
This Thanksgiving, I would
“homeless” and in need of help. For
encourage you to give “thanks”
those of us who have a job, food on
but concentrate on the
our table, a roof over our head and
“giving”. Thank you for your
enough clothing to keep us warm
goodness. Happy Holidays!
in the cold weather, it is sobering to
“The Wise Woman’s Stone”
LHM Group’s Value #3: Stewardship. Every employee,
from a general manager to lot tech, is entrusted with
resources and responsibility. How we use them is the
measure of our stewardship. Larry H. Miller said, “I don’t
mind getting big, I just don’t want to act big.” By being
mindful of the little things, we will preserve and grow the base within
our sphere of responsibility, the company as a whole benefits and
we will provide an environment where other employees can grow
along with us. As the company prospers, we can enrich more lives.
Discussion ideas for managers, leaders and teams:
1. How aware is each team member of his or her area of
stewardship/responsibility? How much autonomy do
they feel to manage those resources?
2. How do you recognize and reward team members for
being good stewards?
3. What is the connection between preserving and
growing the base and being able to enrich the
communities where we live and work?