Sentiments On Common Sense

Dec 09 2009

After you leave….wlll you be missed or missing?

Published by Andrew at 8:57 am under leadership

Funny thing just occurred to me the other day. After nearly a full semester of working with new colleagues, I looked up and realized that I still think about those folks I have worked with last year and wonder what they would say about a particular issue or problem. The impact of a resignation can range from severe to a mere annoyance. One particular resignation has been on my mind lately and I have to write about it.

I am speaking of my friend Craig. He was a master at handling PR situations with grace and style. He, in his own way, connected with me and with all the other people in our organization. He did this through humor (noting on this years calendar the birthday of a Twins catcher on April 19 ), through life experience and through thoughtful, reflective questioning developed through his work as a journalist.

What makes Craig missed instead of missing? In my opinion it is his ability to connect his work to all facets of the organization. It is by keeping in mind that what we do in our own small part has a significant impact on all parts, and if we move forward ignoring that fact, then we we leave… well… we would be just missing, not missed.

I hate using baseball analogies (preferring golf instead) but will here. One should think like a catcher, keeping your eye on the entire field, directing the pitches and catching everything coming your way. Sometimes you’re the leader, sometimes you just make the pitcher look great. Either way, if you leave you will be missed. If you don’t deliver, you will shortly be missing.

Thanks Craig for the laugh!

Joe Mauer card image from http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/pics/joe_mauer_autograph.jpg.Technorati Tags: professionalism, connections, leadership