Let There Be Light!

We have two drivers now in our house and three cars. Yes, this is illogical. But, the third car, a 2003 Toyota Spyder holds a special place in our hearts. For almost three years, I had to commute to and from Memphis each week to help a great group of individuals save a badly, broken company (with little hope). This team and their families made many personal and professional sacrifices to help save the company and jobs for over 10,000 people.

In the summer of 2003, against all odds and many nay-sayers, we celebrated by taking the company out of bankruptcy! We did it. So many long days, sleepless nights, lawsuits, cash crunches, temporary pay reductions, court hearings, but we did it. And the company continues to exist and thrive today! It was a very rewarding experience. The team who served alongside me have a special place in my heart all these years later.

People that know me, know I then did something very irrational.

I bought a new car for Barb to thank her for being so patient, supportive and understanding during those difficult times. I never buy new cars! But in this case, I did. It was a shiny, bright red Toyota Spyder. I can still recall the drive to Tulsa, Oklahoma to pick it up at the dealership. It was a very fun day to see Barb’s face and smile as she drove away in her little red convertible.

Fast forward almost 17 years later and this car is like an old friend. It sits in our garage and is plugged into the wall to keep the battery charged. Summers are too hot here, so we cannot really drive it. And winters are a little chilly to have the roof down. So, this little old friend, sits and waits for beautiful Spring days and crisp, fall nights for us to take her for a spin to a quick dinner or drive to see the grandkids.

With less than 50,000 miles, it still looks brand new, except one thing: the headlights. They are cloudy and worn out.

So, I did what every well versed and gear head would do (I am not), I went to the local automotive store to ask for a headlight restoration kit.

The associate was glad to help me and showed me a few choices but then whispered to me that if I wanted to save a lot of money, there is something that works just as well. Intrigued, I got closer and listened and he said, “Deep Woods Bug Repellant”.

So, I thanked him and gladly went home and tried it. I took a paper towel, sprayed Deep Woods on it and wiped the headlight. Then I cleaned the headlight a few times with water to remove the residue and it was amazing! The headlight looked brand new! I took the car for a spin and it was great to be able to use the headlights and to see clearly. Since then I have learned that the repellant can damage the headlights and paint on your car. And the cloud will reappear in just a few days. And worse, I wonder what it does to our skin when we spray it on!

But it worked and I didn’t have to replace the headlights which cost more than the entire car probably does now.

All of this got me to thinking. Just like our little red car’s headlights, we all need to be able to see. We need vision, light and hope. Hope is critical to long term health for individuals, teams and companies. Seeing a light in the future is knowing that at some point, things will get better. It helps point us to a goal, a destination or an accomplishment. Sure, just like the little red car, it drives block by block, mile by mile to eventually get to a payday (grandkids). But we need those clear headlights to see ahead, avoid danger and give us the conviction that we will succeed in our journey.

If you are a leader, I encourage you to not shortchange the need to communicate with your team on a regular basis and to share with them your vision, values, and goals. Allow them to be a part of the planning process that helps shape the company’s future. Let them feel your excitement and take comfort that the current state might be stressful and chaotic due to challenges like software implementation, management changes, reimbursement updates and competitor practices. But if they can see the future and see that there is an end in mind and the end is good, then they will help you ‘paddle the boat’ feverishly. But they must be able to see what you see! They need light, vision and hope.

This worked for me and 10,000 other people in 2003 and it has in every situation since. We all need to see the light and have a clear vision.

On a personal note, my light is my God and Savior. I know that whenever things get dark, I can turn to the Light of the World to guide me and help me to be a better husband, father, leader and friend. He is right there with a light to guide me.

One last thing: we have a little dog, Sammy who I walk early in the morning after I get back from the gym. Too often after daylight savings time ends, it is still dark when I walk Sammy. We go down the street and I follow him with a bag to help pick up ‘his business’. I have since learned that this concept of light is critical even when walking your dog. Without it, these old eyes will find curbs that were suddenly moved, gutters that I am sure weren’t there yesterday and all of the ‘business’ that other people walking their dogs neglected to pick up. This experience of finding another dog’s new, fresh ‘business’ only needed to happen to me once. I may forget my coat, hat and gloves when I walk Sammy on a dark, cold morning, but I can guarantee that from now on, I will never forget my flashlight.

Thanks for reading this.

With a goal to “help the next one in line”, Glen Cavallo, a 30+ year healthcare executive has chosen to share the many lessons he has learned with others. Glen does this by serving as a coach/advisor to leaders at all levels of organizations, as a board member and as he presents inspirational speeches at regional, national, annual and awards meetings.