Before the shutdowns started three years ago, my wife watched COVID march towards our shores while our nation reacted in slow motion. Coincidentally, my in-law’s tenants gave up their lease, so I moved into the vacant house.
I spent a few months as a bachelor, waiting for America to shut down and then finishing an intensive period of budgeting site visits before reuniting with my family.
Having a spare house to exile oneself was the height of privilege, but that didn’t make it any easier.
Even though my boss took a relaxed approach to the insanity (he started Doordashing to break up the monotony), he went out of his way to ask how I was doing. He checked in to ask how I was doing with the self imposed separation from my family.
That meant the world to me, he understood our concerns and treated it with respect. I vividly remember walking in my hallway looking at the setting sunlight through the blinds while telling him that it wasn’t easy.
It’s amazing how a short sincere conversation left such a lasting impression.
As OPM’s we have a similar opportunity with our project teams. Of course, this is not a cheap tactic for building rapport. People are much too sharp for that. A long term relationship takes investment. Sometimes a relationship is just a transaction. That’s ok, as long as they execute on their deliverables.
But if as someone who cares deeply about your work, you’ll connect with certain individuals along the way. When you do, take that risk. Ask that question. Develop that relationship. Don’t waste a precious opportunity to be meet another person in our one wild and precious life.
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Some Links
This documentary of the making of Wootz Damascus Steel is worth all fifty minutes. It’s a great study in metallurgy, starting with iron ore and ending with a piece of polished steel.
Klangphonics is a live techno trio with a fun retro vibe. I really enjoyed their shorts with unique instruments, such as a vacuum and spray bottle.
Erik Young wrote a powerful essay “I Have Long Walked By Your Side” from his experience as a chaplain about living with the knowledge of death. It will be our reality and we live better if we hold it close as a companion.
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While searching for a photo, I came across this photo of this beauty on a biplane. Wikipedia fills in the blanks: “Hélène Dutrieu (10 July 1877 – 26 June 1961), was a Belgian cycling world champion, stunt cyclist, stunt motorcyclist, automobile racer, stunt driver, pioneer pilot, wartime ambulance driver, and director of a military hospital.“
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Thanks for reading!
Justus Pang, RA