Fulfilling Work or Perpetual Comfort?
As a presenter and communicator of excellence in the corporate world, I can appreciate as well as anyone when a powerful message is publicly demonstrated.
One of my most memorable experiences of such an occurrence was at an event held by the publishing giant McGraw-Hill. It was a year-end party for their Careers group, which had just posted record-breaking sales numbers in an economy rife with underachieving sales divisions for most industries on the planet. Why such success? There are no doubt many reasons, but from my own perspective the management of this particular division had an unusually evolved understanding of the components of excellence, particularly concerning the qualities of diligence and commitment.
Jim Kelly, the president of this McGraw-Hill Career Education group, had some years ago given the job of his executive assistance to an intelligent and highly capable employee who had no university degree. In the process of marrying and raising a family, her formal educational path had taken a backseat to the realities of parenting and the practical need to work. Mr. Kelly’s condition for offering the post, however, was that this woman continue to work at her own rate and speed toward obtaining her degree by correspondence while she was employed at McGraw-Hill. Years later she did in fact complete her studies and graduated from a university in the state of Illinois, receiving her diploma through an online program.
I had been hired to perform my show, and as I was waiting at the back of the room for my slot in their evening event, Mr. Kelly took to the stage to bestow various awards upon many members of his staff. One of the awards, he explained, was a surprise. He then welcomed to the stage the president of the very university from which his assistant had received her diploma.
Mr. Kelly had flown the dignitary from Illinois to the site of this event in New Orleans to personally conduct a formal graduation ceremony, in full commencement attire, for his employee.
Though his assistant had been invited to attend the university’s standard graduation, she had been unable to do so given her practical commitments to her work and her family. Stunned by the honoring of her accomplishment, she walked slowly to the stage. Conspiring co-workers magically produced cap and gown, dressing her in them as she went forward to officially receive her diploma in front of her colleagues.
It's easy to forget the necessity of challenging our limits and the joy of work—of learning, growing and evolving. We often swap the fulfillment we can experience from hard work with a hope for perpetual comfort.
On this day we all rose to our feet in a standing ovation, honoring not just an individual, but the value of hard work, of going the extra mile and committing to growth, education and excellence beyond the limits that we imagine for ourselves.
Which is Faster?
Harley Vs. Unicycle
The question that is on everyone's mind is finally answered.
Quotable
“I work for myself, which is fun. Except for when I call in sick - I know I'm lying."
Rita Rudner
“Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they're yours.”
Richard Bach
New Contact Info
I've moved! Back to Vancouver, BC.
But you can still reach me on the same cell number, 928-830-0005 or my Vancouver number, 604-228-8222.
Booking inquiries can also be directed to Christa Haberstock at See Agency - 310-903-1971.
Rick Lewis has been entertaining and inspiring audiences for the last 30 years. The success of The World's Funniest Waiter over the years is based on clean, interactive comedy and high-level circus skills.
