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The Blue FolderFrom Jim Ball, February 12, 2007 We were discussing an attribute I call "a Touch of Class" in one of our Professionalism Is for Everyone seminars. I asked for examples where individuals had noted a situation where someone did a simple act in an extraordinary way at just the right time. A man told us about an employee in his organization who was recognized for perfect attendance. "The company gave him a certificate and put it in a nice blue folder. Not a real expensive folder, but something nice just the same. "Then shortly after that the man died. It was sudden and unexpected. "When I went to the funeral home to pay my respects I was dumbstruck by what I saw when I walked into the viewing parlor. There on top of the man's casket was that blue folder with the certificate inside." The Messages of the Blue Folder Many things come to mind when I think about this little story. I admire how that man was committed to maintaining his standard of excellence for perfect attendance. I try to imagine what the conversation was like when he came home with that certificate. What did he say to his wife? What did she say to him? Where did he keep his prized certificate in his home? How often did he open the folder to read the words and see his name in fancy calligraphic letters? I also wonder what the people thought when the people came to pay their final respects. Did they wonder what was in the folder? Did they ask each other what it contained? Did visitors whisper to each other the secret of its contents? The thing I wonder about most is how did the person who had the certificate prepared and then presented it to that man feel when he saw the blue folder on the coffin. I imagine he felt good about his deed and was glad he took the time to do it when he did. Sending thank you notes, get well cards, sympathy cards, and doing things like preparing certificates to recognize people for their accomplishments are easy tasks to put off. When there is no one standing by to remind us or prod us, sometimes we procrastinate or skip the task entirely. We rationalize that our notes or actions are not significant or will go by unappreciated. The Moral of the Story The moral of this story is all acts of kindness, big and small, are important and they may be much more important to the individual on the receiving end than you imagine. Do not put off an act of kindness until tomorrow if you can do it today. If you have a thank you note or get well card to send, send it today. If you should recognize someone for a noteworthy accomplishment do it now. You never know how important or urgently needed your act of kindness may be to the person receiving it. Sincerely, |
