Last week, we started watching “The Long Road Home” on National Geographic Channel, which is about an ambush that took place in 2004 in Sadr, Iraq with casualties of 8 deaths and 64 wounded -the largest one-day toll since the Vietnam war. Looking at my wife, I ask why don’t we remember this better because the only “Middle East” event that sticks in our mind is the “Black Hawk Down” story. And in the same way, we all know about the Titanic sinking with over 1,500 deaths in 1912, but who knows the tragic story of the ship SS Eastland? When on July 24, 1915 the SS Eastland was moored in Chicago on the Chicago River, taking passengers from Western Electric for a company outing. The ship was loaded with 2,572 passengers; it became top heavy, then turned on its side in 20 feet of water while still moored, and 844 passengers died in a matter of minutes. Yet, I would bet that a vast majority of us have never heard this story, which brings us to the point of this “Trail Tip”; in that we miss the “Other Stories” going around us because the hype and drama given to specific events. So, as we enter this Holiday Season, it’s worth our effort to pay attention to the other stories taking place around us.
In hiking, all the news in the Colorado Springs area right now is about the reopening of the Manitou Incline and people are posting daily about their exploits of climbing it. And so, the other stories about different trails get lost in the background of the noise of the Incline. Trails around Jones Park, Mt. Rosa, and the various Pipe Line trails all have a story of their own about the rich history of the Pikes Peak area. Yet, how many us ever take the time to explore them?
In our personal life, we get caught up in Face Book, Twitter feeds, and other social media outlets to hear about the stories of those around us. Not realizing that many of the best unknown stories may be right next door to us. Our neighbors across the street moved here from Alaska. There he was an airplane mechanic and bush pilot. And for the past few years, he would go to Alaska during the summer to spend weeks at a time out on fishing boats. I bet he has the stories to tell, but have I asked him out for breakfast or lunch to get him to tell me his stories and experiences that I will never do in person? Have I talked in depth to another neighbor that is active duty and teaches at the Air Force Academy? What are the nuggets of wisdom, I could gleam from him?
And then there is the story of William Crawford, who was a janitor at the Air Force Academy. As one cadet later wrote, “Bill didn’t move very quickly and, in fact, you could say he even shuffled a bit, as if he suffered from some sort of injury. His gray hair and wrinkled face made him appear ancient to a group of young cadets. And his crooked smile, well, it looked a little funny. Face it, Bill was an old man working in a young person’s world. What did he have to offer us on a personal level?” And that all changed when another cadet in 1976 reading about WWII, realized that this “janitor” was a Medal of Honor recipient. A person barely given notice by 4,000 cadets on a daily basis, was in fact, awarded the highest military medal in America. Who are the “janitors” in our lives that we pass by every day? What stories am I missing out on because I don’t take the time to get to know them.
In our work life, we get caught up in the stories and admiration of CEOs and other executives that have made it big. We try to learn from them, but there is no real connection there. We focus on them and miss the success of those around us. We have close friends that have developed very successful real estate practices in Colorado Springs and Denver. Yet have I ever sat down with them and asked what are the five things that have made you successful? Several other friends have their own IT companies. Do I ever ask to hear their stories about how they balance work and personal life?
As we start the December Holiday Season with all the parties and get togethers, let’s cut past the noise and hype to make an effort to become intentional about wanting to hear the stories of those around us. Since you may not have time to do it during event itself, ask for a follow-up breakfast, lunch, or coffee meeting. It’s as easy as saying “I’d like to hear more; can we meet next week and continue this conversation”. Inviting people around us to tell us their stories is a great way to get to know someone better and create lasting friendships.
More information about William Crawford can be found at: http://www.homeofheroes.com/profiles/profiles_crawford_10lessons.html
Al Andersen 