Best Practices Day - Family First
For all of my years, the Thanksgiving holiday has been a very emotional time. In my earliest years, it was a great family event where I learned to help others whether in school doing a turkey drive or feeding the homeless. Those values have become tradition and each year I am reminded of how fortunate we are. For the last several years, although grateful and thankful, I have struggled with the holiday season as it has reminded me of loss. Having lost the two best men I have ever known during the holiday season, I cannot help but be reminded of loss at this time of year.
This week, as we celebrated Best Practices Day, I believe I had a breakthrough. As I watched the team enjoy a great family first event and watched them help each other, I realized that the loss that I struggle with is the basis for what had been created in Best Practices Day. When Robin and I first started to talk about Best Practices Day, it was a time to better the team; to build values and promote culture. Yesterday, as I watched the men and women of Sprinklermatic interact, I was overwhelmed with the culture and values that we have become.
While talking to the team, I heard things like, “…Word on the street is that Sprinklermatic is the place to be”. I heard a young helper say that he will be in the superintendents’ picture in the coming years. A superintendents told me that he would soon start in a CAD class to become a designer. I witnessed a leader of 14 years get overcome with emotion when asked about our culture. I saw pictures of family members being shared, presidents of local companies commented on how impressive the team is. The Collier girls were met with big smiles from the team, my wife was amazed by how many of the men and women gushed over our soon to be daughter.
As I stood at the end of the day fighting back a tear and addressing the team in the pouring rain, a rainbow broke through the clouds. At that moment, I was reminded that Robin and I have been groomed and mentored by the amazing men and women who have taught us about family and it is our purpose to promote those same values everyday with the team!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING – FAMILY FIRST
