People

I have a long drive today, as I am giving a lecture somewhere far. Long trip means lot time for thoughts. My thoughts are wondering, thinking about a friend, a customer who has passed a significant surgery. Will she recover? When? The questions stand open, and no one has an answer. The hours go by, and we are all waiting. Tensed.
People.

Yesterday, several people have told me that they are looking for a job, as the organization they have worked in is experiencing a reduction in force. Last week I spoke with another colleague, who spoke about a near re-organization, and again, reduction in force. For two or three months now, everything seems sad there. Even though, in his division there is a lot of work to be accomplished, people are not as in the past. They leave early, speak quietly, and every week a few more people leave, as they found themselves a new place to work. My heart is with the people laid off; my heart is with the people who have to fire.
People.

In the 21st century, it seems as if we became more sophisticated; the advertisements and rating have led us to places we did not dream of. Communication and media consultants of politicians lead strategy and we stare and do not believe. Is everything fake? Where does reality stop?

In this same century, the working relations have changed radically. The information and knowledge era, we are to give more out of ourselves: Not only our time (which seems to be 24 hours of work with the cellular and laptop); not only our brain (even a more precious resource); but also our hearts. People who work technically only, succeed less. Work of the 21st century is composed of partnership. Partnership while working in teams in the organization; partnership while working with suppliers; and partnership, real win-win situations working with customers. Every other alternative will leave us far beyond.
This behavior triggers opening. The way from opening to exposure is short. We enable other people, who we would lock out of our thoughts after 17:00, to continue and stay in our hearts 24 hours a day. When they hurt, we heart; of course, it is much easier, to be happy when they joy.
We turn to be less strong and more vulnerable. But we also turn to be more human-beens. People. Purified.

Steve Jobs spoke this week in the graduation ceremony of the Standford University. Listen to what he said (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA). He shared three personal stories in which he exposes himself been adopted; himself dropping from university; himself walking once a week seven miles to have a decent meal; his cancer; his being fired from Apple. All these stories are relevant. There purpose is not to make people feel sorry for him or to think he is a hero. They all are part of guides of life he tries to share with the graduating students.

I think we are gifted to live in such an era. With the risk of being vulnerable, comes a big chance; I am not speaking of the chance of greater success. That, also. The bigger chance is personal for each one and one of us as a person. As being a human-been.
We are lucky. Work may on take over our personal life; but work in these conditions helps us being people.

Educate your workers to be people; Let us all be people with whomever we work. Not only with our friends back home.

Let us wish everyone health.

Yours,
Moria

P.S. Day after- to all those who wish to know- my friend is better; the surgery succeeded.