I was a general level manager at a service company in NYC for several years. My employees, all immigrants with poor English language skills, did some pretty miserable and often dangerous work. Much of the work had to be done on ladders, scaffolds or on fire escapes.
One day one of the men stepped on a rotted fire escape stair and plunged through the step about 50 feet from the ground. Fortunately, the worker reacted fast enough to grab a railing and hung on while a co-worker pulled him up by his belt. Had he missed the railing, the man would probably have sustained mortal injuries.
The injuries he sustained were enough to keep him on disability for nearly 6 months. It became evident that the deficit in English language skills and knowledge of how the system works was hindering the man's wife from properly filing insurance claims. I helped her through the process and made sure that the company went beyond its minimum obligation in taking care of this worker and his family.
Lest one argue that my "financial decision" imposed an unapproved expense on the company's owners, I can report that the worker returned to work appreciative of the way he was treated and helped recruit additional reliable employees to a generally undesirable job situation.
While I see what I did as simply "doing my job", I know that there are many managers out there that view the legal minimum as their maximum obligation. Indeed, I have had some uncomfortable confrontations with some of them over these issues. Their view short changes the moral obligations we have to each other in terms of preserving human dignity. Profit cannot be the only compass.
Copyright 2002 by PartnersInKindness.org
"Making a Difference in People's lives"
The following story was heard by the author:
I felt that I was wasting my life. My family was
financially secure. We had a nice home and were
considered prosperous by our community. But I
didn't feel that I was living a meaningful life.
A deep feeling of emptiness gnawed at me. I
analyzed my life situation and compared it with
the lives of others whom I respected. What was
the difference? Those I admired all made a
significant contribution to the welfare of
others. Each did this in a unique way. But the
common denominator was that they all did things
that made a difference in people's lives. I made
a sincere commitment to do the same. That was
over ten years ago and words are inadequate to
describe the difference this has made in my life.
"What can I say or do to make a difference in
this person's life?" This is the question that
when asked consistently elevates one's character.
There are unlimited ways to make a difference.
This can be done with our time, energy, money,
possessions, food, understanding, listening,
advice, knowledge, and the list goes on and on.
One of the great developers of character in our
generation, has frequently said that the first
step to becoming a kind person is to be aware of
the specific needs of each person you encounter.
"What is this person missing?" is the question
which must come to mind. "It might sound easy,"
he wrote. "But as soon as you try to do this you
will see how difficult it really is." When
someone tells you explicitly what's bothering
him, this is a straightforward process. But often
a person will not tell you. He has no reason to
assume that you can or are willing to help him.
Perhaps this is your first encounter.
The person is a stranger and your sensitivity to
his needs will turn him into a friend. Some
people are shy or proud and don't feel
comfortable turning to others for things. At
times a person might not even know himself what
he is lacking and what he really needs to enhance
his life.
Our goal is to become an expert at discovering
people's needs so that we will be able to read
between the lines when we listen to their
dialogue. We will be able to read people's faces
and hear the nuances in their tone of voice. Like
all skills this takes considerable practice over
a long period of time.
This book is intended as a manual on how to make
a difference in the lives of other people. As you
master this art, your own life will be elevated
and enriched. You will know that your own life
has meaning and significance. The benefits you
will reap will be everlasting.
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