Lessons From the Ice Storm: Teamwork and Compassion (Human Factor by Seth Mohorn)

Whether in business or in the community, when people come together for the common good, great things are sure to follow.

We’ve all seen and experienced the devastation of the recent ice storm. From broken branches and toppled trees to damaged fences and homes, the devastation was truly amazing. Beyond the trees, lay the downed power lines that left scores without current, which brought home quickly the reliance we have on electricity.

Yet, with all the strife and uncertainty the resiliency of community was demonstrated. If you drove around after the ice stopped falling and saw neighbors helping each other, or you saw the young helping the elderly, then you know the sense of community that I’m talking about.

As a country, a state and a city we all demonstrate the ability to reach out and lay selfish ambitions to the wayside in order to help our “brother” in their time of need. I asked a friend over the weekend if they experienced this same event and they responded with a resounding “yes.” My next question to my friend was this, “why do you think it takes something like what we are going through to get people to be so willing to go above and beyond to help others?”

My friend didn’t have an immediate answer.

Personally, I think it’s because we all really have a desire to steward to others and it becomes most evident when we ourselves allow others to steward to us.

We have seen and experienced great teamwork in the last part of January since the ice storm — people working together for the better well being of the whole. Here are thoughts that will allow us to create the same team experience without the nuisance of a “calamity.”

• Begin in a friendly way. Think about how we engage people in conversation. Are we asking superficial questions such as, “did you lose any trees?” or are we asking meaningful questions that demonstrate true concern.

• Show respect for the other person’s opinion. Never tell a person he or she is wrong. This can be difficult, especially if the person is antagonistic or poorly informed. Yet, we’ve found that it often doesn’t take long for a “difficult” person to become more easy-going once he/she is truly being listened to.

Consciously stop using “red light” language such as “no, you’re wrong.” Instead, throw your concern out to the group or back at a co-worker. For example, “That’s interesting, why do you feel that way?” This may allow them to think things through before they comment.

• Try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view. Again, this can be a challenge when you’re convinced that the other person is coming from a completely alien mindset. Yet, with a little practice, you can begin giving people the benefit of the doubt and see why they might feel that way. Put yourself in your co-worker’s shoes.

• Give honest and sincere appreciation. Remember what your grandma always said, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” It may seem quaint, yet it works, especially when you’re in a contentious relationship.

• Allow others to serve. Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I’m not saying that we should take advantage of others. I am saying that you and I have a strong desire to help others and yet sometimes we don’t demonstrate the same desire to let others help us. We all have at some time or another helped someone out when they were in a pinch only to turn around and turn away help when we ourselves are in a pinch.

• Be committed more than anyone else. Sam Walton’s first rule for business success is, “to be committed more than anyone else.” It’s not just words, it’s actions that follow words.

Before concluding, I would like to thank the folks that work from the different utility companies that have worked and continue to work tirelessly to restore electricity to our part of the state. What a great example of commitment you all are to use.

We can find application to business in just about anything. Here’s my takeaway from the ice storm with respect to business: to demonstrate the same resolve when things are going well as when things are in disarray. When we do, we will see our productivity increase and the attitudes of others literally change.

(Seth Mohorn is Managing Partner for Dale Carnegie Training of the Mid-South offered by Howard Mohorn & Associates, which provides Dale Carnegie Training services in Southwest Missouri, Northwest Arkansas, Little Rock and Memphis, Tennessee. You can reach him at (888) 578-7873.