In this season, many things are happening that are affecting businesses. Many will see and experience a drop off in sales, and some will see increases. One can take action or retreat. In times of crisis and chaos, one’s response is always what matters most.
Will you see and experience possibilities and opportunities, or and will you hide and play the victim? Based on one’s identity, how you view yourself, and the narrative you tell yourself will dictate how you respond. Those who see possibilities will protect the land (their purpose) they’ve been given. Or will you decide your goal is not worth fighting nor dying for and run?
Only as we live our lives with the knowledge that we are on a sacred assignment/purpose can we contend for that purpose despite what seems like a roadblock or mountain in front of us?
In times of emergencies – break glass – get help. Is there a team, a guide, friends you can call and collaborate creatively together to see what others do not see in this season, not just to survive but to thrive?
An ancient manuscript says the following, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up.” Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
These are times where we both give a hand up and reach up to receive a hand up.
Several years ago, the world was mesmerized by the rescue of the Chilean miners trapped 2000 feet deep in the earth’s bowels for 69 days. Among the myriad of lessons learned from their harrowing experience, collaboration (teamwork), commitment, and a covenant between all the individuals to get out alive marked this near-death event.
Shift foreman Luis Urzua provided vital leadership and cultivation for the miners while trapped. His cultivation of the other 32 men helped them utilize their gifts and talents. Some men organized work assignments. Others rationed their two-day food supply while one relied on previous medical training to administer physical tests to fellow miners. Mario Gomez saw it his job to ensure that morale did not get low by communicating (asking questions and listening intently) daily with each person. Each person pitched in somewhere, and the single efforts became coordinated to pursue their goal – getting out alive. Leadership patterns emerged, and everyone cooperated to give themselves a fighting chance.
The highly coordinated rescue effort on the ground above was itself a fascinating team commitment effort. Schramm, a Pennsylvania-based company, provided the drill rig that bore the deep hole. Center Rock, another Pennsylvania drilling company, developed the bits used by the drill rig. NASA provided counsel on how miners would respond psychologically. Aramark provided vacuum-packed foods that the miners accessed via the tiny passageway that the drill created. As other companies offered additional services, it all culminated as the resurrected miners saw the light of day for the first time 68 days prior.
What about your team or group? Are you part of a team or group effort, or is everyone in your workplace doing his own thing? Does your team need to be rescued? By God’s grace, the mining team did not perish when the earth collapsed around them. But collaboration, cooperation, coordination, communication and cultivation, commitment, and covenant were all crucial, even mandatory if the men would survive the ordeal and ever live life again.
How can this real-life example be applied to your work team or community?
How can I give you a hand up?
Contact me at larry@larrytyler.biz