I anticipate visiting one of the strongest sites that I work with. They are amazing on every front! Diversity is part of their DNA. As compared internally and externally, their metrics- management, employee, and performance – are best in class. As a community and individually, they are gems. Sadly, few in the organization are aware that they exist.
As I think of my interactions with them I realize that good performance, great execution, and strong management is rarely enough to get one noticed. If it were, the ten years that this group has delivered would be the subject of case studies and how to formulate and execute an operational model. In old school language, they need a patron. Specifically they need three things.
First, they need someone that cares enough to pay attention to the details. Unless attention is paid the community will slowly die. In addition to managers and leaders, the organization needs someone outside that cares enough to see and understand what is going on inside the community.
Second, they need someone that believes. Confidence and belief is more than just knowing the numbers and understanding the metrics. It is an outcome that comes from spending time understanding the character and strength of the individuals that form this community. The outcomes from this experience provide the foundation of belief and faith.
Third, they need someone that will fight for them. Someone needs to tell the story of the community and its members, witnessing and testifying to what s/he knows to be true. This community wants, needs to be able to repeat a David saying in their own words; “Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God of angel armies protects us.” (Psalm 46.11)
I am flying twenty-one hours to be with them. It will be a long way from home in a place where I will likely be one of a kind. It will be hard, difficult and tiring. It is also a calling and an opportunity. As much as we need patrons in our lives, I think each has an opportunity to be one in another’s.
