This was an
easier exercise for me. When I think of leaders or great men and women I think
about their characteristics, what they have accomplished and more importantly
the interaction with people. One man
that is near and dear to my heart was a man that came into my life about 15
year ago. He became my director and I was his support person. He told me that
he was a Marine and asked me if I knew what that meant. He told me once a
Marine always a Marine. I thought what that mean to me and I also thought this might not be pretty. So I look at his qualities and they were
fair, honest, integrity, people, compassionate, results etc. He got results
through people but it was the respect that he showed for all levels in addition
to doing the right thing and always putting himself in their place. I ended up supporting him and working with
him for over 12 years. I always looked
at his tone, temperament and justification for doing the things he did and
said. He totally taught me a lot. As I look back, he had inner peace with
himself to project such a strong positive image of wisdom and teaching others.
He was a very approachable man and all were very comfortable with him.
When it
comes to the saying “one cannot lead when he or she has not gone him or herself”
is something that is true to my heart as a health and wellness generalist. I firmly believe that I must experience
before I teach. I must also be knowledgeable to teach. I need to know my
resources and also options for people. I also believe that one size does not
fit all and we are people who are all at a different place in life. We all have
different needs, wants and must haves in order to be happy and healthy. Our health
is a sensitive topic and as health professionals we must also know where that
fine line is so that we do not offend people.
It not only takes the resources to promote but it also takes tack and
diplomacy to help people in their health and wellness needs.
Everyone is responsible for their own health and well being however, we must own it and define it!
Hello Lil!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you that one size does not fit all; each person is unique. Though we may all view ourselves as equals even in the health profession, each person is an individual with their own set of health and wellness needs. Not practicing, learning, and experiencing within oneself cannot lead to positive results on another; how would one know where to even begin if they don't know where to begin with themselves? It's like a person attempting to take a picture of a butterfly, but never having seen or experienced the natural habitat, eating habbits, and characteristics of the butterfly; how could you possibly get the perfect picture to represent that butterfly without that knowledge and experience to really make it stand out? You just simply can't. Anyone can say "eat healthy" or "meditate to gain clarity" but only those who have practiced these things and experienced them can properly teach them and explain them.
Gregory Bajorek
Hey Gregory - thanks for your post I totally agree with you!
Deletethanks - Lil
Lil,
ReplyDeleteI have to say that for me, I have always gone with the saying, "to each their own". I don't believe in "one size fits all" because not everyone is the same or has the same issues or handles their issues the same way. We all need help in times of need but what works for one may not work for another but to give advise you must have experience in what you are advising for someone to do. Good post Lil. ;-)
~Ali Weidenbach
Thanks for your post Ali - I agree to each their own. But I do think it is necessary as health professionals to help steer people back on path as the rewards are endless both for them and for us.
ReplyDeletethanks
Lill