Musings at Altitude

I’m on the road right now and I called home to check and say hello to the family. 

My 14 year old answered the phone and said, “why haven’t you written a blog?” 

I was somewhat taken aback and responded, “I wrote one last night!” 

She quickly popped back, “you need to write a new one so I can comment on it.” 

Evidently, she’s registered to comment on my blogs now and shes desperate to do so.  But those serious business blogs like that last one don’t provide her any inspiration for a comment.

Now the father in me says, “no way!”  But the writer in me says, “bring it on!” 

I’ve been asking her if she’s ready to do a guest blog again, and she’s been procrastinating on that.  I think she’ll be pretty active on providing comments to my blogs though…until of course she says something critical of her father and then I shut her down!

PS.  The Avalanche lost again tonight dropping them even further behind in their race to make the playoffs.  It’s obvious that we need more fanatics in order to pull off an almost impossible resurgence in the standings.  We’re doing our part as a family…hopefully it will be enough to dramatically change the current position:

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I’m very fond of sacrcastically saying that “life is all about assessing blame”.  That’s exactly what I see folks all over the business community doing right now. 

I see folks at the top of organizations mandating down actions on their subordinates when those at the top refuse to take similar actions themselves.  I see folks who have no accountability for business results stepping in and defining actions and making judgments on things that they themselves ultimately have no accountability for and no consequence to the actions they so adamantly mandate.  I see folks defining process and orchestrating events within organizations and then stepping back and waiting to take credit for success if it occurs and to quickly say “I told you so” if things don’t work as planned.  And I see bureaucrats controlling and containing business activities when trust and empowerment need to occur.

The true personality of an organization comes out in times of enormous stress.  It’s not unusual to see an incredibly nurturing environment when things are going good and then a quick flip to a critical and condescending environment at the first hint of business challenge and distress.

During these tough economic times where folks at the top are under enormous stress to hit numbers or to appease shareholders, accountability is quickly pushed down to the lowest possible level where action can occur.  This trickle down effect (more like a huge waterfall) brings momentary comfort to those who unleash the torrent of blame and creates a huge burden on those experienced operations personnel who are already working enormously hard to deliver against expectations in a very tough economic environment.

Imagine how cool it would be if business leaders completely reversed this trend and nurtured and empowered during times of great stress and focused on change and optimum business efficiency in times of great success.  With less overseeing pressure during tough times, business leaders can focus on delivering the income needed to sustain business operations.  With more focus on change during the positive times, business leaders can leverage the times of plenty to carve out less than scarce resources to drive change and instill process maturity.

With more disturbing economic news today and no real end in site to the collapse occurring in many businesses across this country, the search to blame anyone for the struggles of a company will only intensify.  Those in bureaucratic roles will point down and microscopically focus on vulnerable operations within a company.  The good and important issue of accountability will be quickly transformed into blame as those bureaucrats seek to justify and protect their jobs at the expense of those who cherish the very opportunity to deliver revenue generating services to their company.

It’s tough to hear about.  It’s tough to watch.  It’s tougher to justify.  It’s an incredibly disturbing fact of life in today’s business environment.

It certainly doesn’t have to be.

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In a very different spin on “permission slips”, our church supports an evangelical Pastor in Northern India.  Over the last several months, our missions coordinator worked closely with this Pastor and his wife to schedule a visit here to the States where he could fellowship in person with those churches that support him. 

In the recent past, several folks from our church had gone to visit him in India, and they brought back with them excitement about the ministry he was providing but also concern for the deteriorating conditions for Christians in this Hindu dominated land.  And in the last year, the oppression has grown significantly worse as homes of Christians have been burned and some have lost their lives.  And yet, the ministry continues with great hope and deep faith in its purpose.  This visit was very important for us to hear this direct and to commit ourselves to even further support.

With the details of the planned trip complete, the only thing left was for the Pastor to get a visa allowing him to visit the United States.  Unfortunately, the “permission slip” he needed in order to leave India and visit us was denied.  He and his wife were disheartened but not defeated, and they waited a few weeks and then reapplied.  As before, the visas were denied, and this man and his wife who very honestly disclosed their reasons for wanting to visit the United States were once again left wondering what great work God had in store for them by not allowing them to come visit us.

Today at our church service, what the government had denied them in physical travel was overcome by the use of today’s technology.  Over the Internet, we connected through video with this Pastor and he shared in our church service.  He talked of the danger of being Christian in India, and he shared with us how others were now having to go underground to worship when only months and years ago they could worship openly.  He also talked of the blessings he received from the prayers and financial support of those of us here in this country, and he encouraged us to pray even more fervently for the safety of Christian believers in India and for the faithfulness of those believers in continuing to worship and through example continue to show God’s love through their obedience.

As we listened to this Pastor and his wife share with us today, there was no dejection, no disappointment, and no desperation because of what had been denied.  Instead, we saw elation, and excitement, and abundant anticipation for the great work that God was doing through these two faithful servants.  Though permission was not given for them to visit with us in person, we were blessed and I’m certain they were blessed as well to visit each other through the wonders of modern technology.

After hearing directly from this Pastor today, I will most certainly pray more fervently for him, his family and his awesome ministry.  But I’ll also give thanks for the freedoms we have in this country where we are given permissions that others are so routinely denied.  We often times take those freedoms for granted.  Today, because of the courage and tenacity of this Pastor in India, I was reminded once again how precious those freedoms are.

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I went with my 14 year old on her field trip today.  We arrived at the school about 8:45 for a 9:00 show time and there was no one in that part of the parking lot.  About 5 minutes later, her teacher showed up, and I asked if we were in the right place since no one was there.  She confirmed we were and we both waited patiently for others to show up.  After a couple more minutes and just a little bit of worry by the small number of people that were mingling around, I asked how many folks they expected.  She said they had originally hoped for 30, but over 80 had signed up which surprised both of the organizers.  With only a few of us in the parking lot, I was skeptical about how many we would actually get.

Shortly thereafter, a steady stream of cars began flowing into the parking lot and by 9:00 when roll call began, we had 100 people present and ready to head down to the Army base for this very special service project.  Right at 9:20, 25 cars headed South in a very loose convoy.  At 9:45, we arrived at Gate 1, and we met up with an escort who would guide our convoy to the barracks where we’d be working for the next few hours.  He was stunned by how many folks came, and we had so many cars, they opened up a special lane through the security inspection area.  It took 15 minutes to get us through the gate, and we arrived at the barracks at 10:15.

When we arrived at our destination, the coordinators from the Army walked up in stunned silence as they looked at all of the volunteers that showed up.  They had expected 30 people, and when all had arrived, we had 120 committed workers that wanted to help prepare the barracks for the troops that would begin arriving home from Iraq tonight.

For the next two hours our middle and high schoolers made beds, hung shower curtains, deployed gift baskets, and prepared the assigned rooms for the soldiers returning home from the war.  I listened with pride as they talked about how cool it was to help, and I watched in awe as some of the team worked hard on a fence across the road to place in big letters, “WELCOME HOME FIGHTING EAGLES”.

We met the families of several of those coming home, and they were so thankful for the help.  You could sense the excitement in their voices and see the strain of numerous deployments on their faces.  And yet, they too joined with us in working hard to make the arrival something special for these troops returning home.

As we finished up the barracks preparation, we gathered in the parking lot for a picture to remember this moment of service.  The local news station had a camera crew and news reporter on hand and they interviewed a couple of the students.  I listened in on the conversations of those gathered, and I was inspired by the joy with which these kids came to serve.  I was also overwhelmed by the numbers once again as I realized that a job that would have taken 5 or 6 hours was completed in just over 2.

We live in a military town, so it’s not unusual to see signs of support for our troops all over the city.  But when 120 people show up to prepare the barracks in advance of the troops returning home, that’s something special and even those who routinely work with volunteers are floored by such an incredible showing of support.

I’m so proud of my 14 year old for both volunteering and realizing how special this act of service was.  When middle and high schoolers realize the sacrifices made by our military and in their own special ways want to help in any way possible, we’re doing something right in this country and parents are doing something right in their homes.

I’m thankful to the teachers who saw this need at the military base and challenged their students with an act of service.  I’m also thankful for the parents who supported and joined their kids on this special field trip.  And I’m thankful for these teenagers who heard about a need and in overwhelming numbers joined together to make this homecoming for these heroes of our country something special.

As our soldiers begin arriving home this evening, I hope they feel the love and respect of all those who helped today.  That would be special.

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My 14 year old came up to me yesterday and asked me to sign a permission slip.  She wanted to take a field trip with her friends and classmates on Saturday.  I typically just sign those things when asked and don’t probe too much, but since I’m the sole parent at home this week, I paid a little bit more attention this time. 

As I read the permission slip, I realized this wasn’t an academic or social trip, this was a trip with a special mission – to clean the barracks at the local Army post before the soldiers return from overseas.  As I finished reading and gave my permission, I looked at my 14 year old with great pride because I knew how special and important that field trip would be. 

As we drove home together this evening, a song came on the radio that made me smile in thinking of my 14 year old and her field trip.  This was the first time I heard the song, but she knew every word:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xstLRWHgD2Q

It makes me smile to know that my 14 year old feels a call to action when she sees the list of food that is needed by the local food bank.  It makes me smile when she pesters me about volunteering at the local humane society.  And it makes me smile when she asks if she can join others in providing such an incredible service to those returning from the war. 

As I listen to the song again now, I realize how blessed we are as a nation with a new generation of young people who want to respond when they see a need.  We hear so often about the supposed selfishness and apathy of our kids today.  I just don’t see it.  Instead, I see compassion.  I see a desire to give.  I see a willingness to sacrifice their time and money to do something meaningful for others. 

I also see young people who lead by example.  We need to follow!

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This just came in:

It sure would be cool if all of us could see everything placed in front of us and around us as toys!

Our granddaughter gets great pleasure from this toy, but she also gets great pleasure from keys, from sugar packets, from slips of paper, from hair, from glasses, etc.

Everything to her is something to play with.

I find smiles in so many things, but I need to experience the joy of a child in finding everything that’s in front of me and around me as something to experience and to play with.

That would be cool.

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My 14 year old has an appointment with the orthodontist tomorrow.  She has braces on the top teeth, and she’ll soon have braces on the bottom teeth as well.  Since my wife is out of town (still visiting the granddaughter), I get to haul my daughter to her appointments.  So tomorrow it’s the orthodontist.

As I was grilling her on the routine – where is it, what time, how much cash do I need – she was explaining to me how much she hates the orthodontist.  At one point, she talked about the upcoming braces on the bottom teeth and how her doctor said that if the braces don’t work they’d have to do surgery on her jaw.  To that she said, “I don’t know why I’d need surgery…I’m still talking aren’t I?”

It’s hard to argue with that kind of logic!

PS.  I was on a conference call for 10 hours today.  It ended at 8:30 this evening when my battery died on my cell phone.  By the time it died, I’d left work, driven home, took the dog out, picked up my 14 year old, driven to Texas Roadhouse for dinner, and ignored my 14 year old for about an hour while I sat with the phone at my ear.  As a way of apologizing, I bought two tickets behind the penalty box for the Avalanche versus Dallas Stars on Thursday night.  It doesn’t make up for me not talking to her tonight, but it sure is cool to see the smile now that she knows she’s going to another game this week.  I wish saying “I’m sorry” was always this easy!  Ok…maybe not…I kinda wish I didn’t have to say “I’m sorry”.

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I woke up at 12:50 this morning with the bed shaking and in a semi-conscious state thought that it must be getting windy and went right back to sleep.  I woke up again at 1:32, with a rumbling throughout the house and the concussion sounds of explosions going off.  If my wife had been home (she’s visiting our granddaughter), I would have immediately woke her up and said “what’s that?”, and she would have given me some comfort or answer that would have sent me back to my dreams.  But she wasn’t, so I was left to figure it out alone in my not-nearly-enough-sleep stupor.  I put on my glasses first (what else would a blind without them, concerned father do) and then went out into the open area of our main floor.  I went toward the back of the house and the sounds decreased.  I then went to the front door and peered outside and heard and saw nothing.  I then climbed the stairs to our second floor where the kids rooms are and the concussions eased.  So I went back down to the main level quite perplexed with what may be happening in the world to cause the rumbling and the sounds of bombs going off.

As I was standing there stumped, I noticed that the sounds and the concussions would grow fairly loud and strong and then fade.  I also noticed that the tremors were very intense on the floor.  I walked over to the stairway that leads downstairs and all was dark.  I stood there for a couple moments and finally it clicked – our home theater with the surround sound was the only thing that could be creating those affects.

I walked downstairs and sure enough the doors to the theater were vibrating big time.  I knocked (don’t know why, but certainly didn’t want to catch anyone unprepared) and burst into the room.  My 21 year old son popped off the couch and said “what’s up?”  I aggresively responded, “do you realize the entire house is shaking?”  He said “sorry” as he quickly moved to the sound system and dialed the sound way down.  As he went back to the couch, I asked, “don’t you have work tomorrow?”  He said “no” and then went back to watching the movie “Dark Knight”.

I was finally awake as I realized the insanity of him watching a movie this early in the morning with the sound cranked up.  But even so, I said the only thing I could think of at the time, “I’m glad the city’s not under attack!”  I shut the door and then went back to bed.

I’m tempted this morning to turn on my stereo in my office (right under his room) and crank the sound way up.  Maybe I should play my “Bad Boy Ballads” CD and shake the whole section of the house with my Bose sound system. 

But I won’t.  He needs his sleep.

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It’s Super Bowl Sunday, and I’m sitting in our home theater watching the Super Bowl with my 14 year old sitting next to me on the couch.  Both of us are on our laptops.  I’m obviously blogging, and she’s probably not so obviously on the Avalanche ticket web site trying to see what seats are still available for the Detroit Red Wings game on March 4th.  We both obviously have our priorities!

Earlier today, she asked me where the Super Bowl was being played, assuming it would be either in Pittsburgh or Phoenix.  When I mentioned Tampa, she said, “Florida doesn’t even have any football teams.”  I quickly reminded her that they indeed had three, “Tampa, Miami and Jacksonville.”  She then said, “Jacksonville is in Florida?”  I said, “of course”.  She then said, “I’m not good at geography; I didn’t even know that St Louis was in Illinois.”  I chuckled and told her that St Louis was actually in Missouri, confirming her mental deficiency in geography, not wanting to go into any details about East St Louis which is indeed across the state from St Louis and in Illinois.

As we watch the Super Bowl, I’m enjoying the banter back and forth between us.  She’s the only person I’ve ever met that finds such great joy in browsing the seating charts for the Avalanche home games.  Of course, she’s probably the only 14 year old that goes to the web first thing in the morning to check the Avalanche news before doing anything else of meaning.

I must admit though, I’m still reveling in the “you’re the best Dad ever” that I received yesterday because of the seats I got the two of us for the Avalanche game against the Ducks.  Here’s a picture to show you how close we were to the visiting team:

We had seats right behind the Ducks bench, on the glass.  Better yet, we had the two seats closest to the tunnel against the glass so my 14 year old was only a few feet away from the Ducks players.  As they exited the tunnel to head out onto the ice, she would put her arm out into the tunnel and several of the Ducks players would high five her as they went by.  At the end of the game, 11 of the Ducks players gave her a high five, thus confirming my status as “best Dad ever”!

I’m not sure I’ll be able to top this one for a while.  But I’m fixin’ to buy tickets to the Avs versus Canucks game on April 11th for her and 3 of her closest friends.  Since that will be an early birthday present and party for her, I’m sure I’ll add to my legendary Dad status by the time her birthday rolls around!

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At the last moment, I cancelled my upcoming trip to our headquarters in Alaska.  I had two good excuses – (1) a volcano is soon to blow near Anchorage and I didn’t want to be stranded if that did indeed happen; and (2) the cost of the trip was going to be about $2,800 and in these tough economic times that spending just didn’t seem right.

As I think back now on the changes that I’m making both in my business and personal spending, the economic impact to companies I typically procure services from is significant.  For example, in just this month of January alone, I have taken no business trips.  That’s the first time I can remember that happening in at least 10 years.  In the last 3 years, I’ve taken trips somewhere for business or pleasure 40 weeks each year (on average).   Those trips included airfare, hotels, rental cars, and meals.  If we look conservatively at each one, let’s say $750 for airfare, $400 for hotel, $250 for rental car, and $200 for meals each week, that’s $64,000 per year I would spend on the road. 

I will most likely cut my travels by half this year, traveling only about 20 weeks and spending only about $32,000. 

That reduced spending helps the bottom line of our company big time.  But that reduced spending hurts someone else as well.

The trickle down effect of the changes occurring in spending habits of companies and people right now is staggering.  Because I travel less, I put fewer miles on my car (150 miles round trip to the airport).  I buy less gas.  I get fewer oil changes.  I don’t renew my Red Carpet Club membership.  I get no shoe shines at the airport.  I eat out 2 or 3 times less per week.  Each of these changes in my spending habits in a small way affects those that provided services to me when I traveled. 

Assuming that many others across this country are making similar cuts, these reductions when added together create consequences of major proportion such as job losses and even bankruptcies.  My guess is that every one of us has been affected in some way by this economic crisis, and either we or someone very close to us has suffered the adverse affects of the changing buying habits of all of us in this nation.

Although hope is not a strategy, faith certainly is.  I’m praying that we’re at bottom and that those who have been directly affected by this get quick relief either from new jobs or alternative sources of income.  I also pray for those who have pursued their passions for a lifetime, who now may be forced to adjust and detour away from their dreams because of these desperate economic conditions.  I pray that they may find peace and sustainment in other pursuits for now, and Lord willing, they may get back to chasing their dreams very soon.  And finally, I pray that compassion will overwhelm me and millions of others, and we’ll see those who are hurting today and reach out our hand to help in any way imaginable.

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