We Not Me
Weekly Update 12/17/2023 to 12/23/2023 #204
We, not me, is not something that I struggle with when it comes to the team that I work with every day. Later in this week's column though, I will share one of my struggles for your consideration. First, how about some of my week serving as mayor of the best small town in America?
This week, we wrapped up bond work to provide Seymour Fire and Police equipment. For SFD Ladder 3 will be funded out of this most recent bond. The next three years' worth of police car rotation is funded as well for SPD. Both departments have a rotation plan that they follow, and our bond issuance every three years helps maintain that schedule. Thank you to everyone involved with this lengthy process, and get ready because the planning starts for the next round in a little over a week.
Decoration judging was a part of this week’s activities. The first stop was Village Apartments where I was surprised by the number of participants. With so many doors to choose from it was not an easy decision for Chief O’Brien and myself, but one spoke to us both and earned the small gift basket they had put together for the winner. My second stop this week in judging Christmas decor was for Rose Acres where I was joined by Building Commissioner Gray to select an area and individual winner. With the Charlie Brown and Snoopy theme, the individual winner was selected. The area, though, came down to two very different styles. One with some extra elbow grease and gingerbread themed the other with a Grinchy Whoville theme made the call a tough one to make. After discussion, we went with Whoville for their area-wide participation. Thank you to both Village Apartments and Rose Acres for the chance to help judge the fun and put smiles on our faces leading up to the weekend.
Every so often, my core team will receive a video link from me on a topic from various motivational speakers. My goal is for them to serve as little pick-me-ups that hopefully hit when they are needed. Jon Gordon is a regular that I catch and share. He has worked on “We not Me” and coming together for something greater than ourselves. For me, that is a community-wide approach as I look out at it. If we can continue to work towards a better tomorrow across the board, then we can build that tomorrow for everyone and not just a select few. This is a concept that I try to help my department heads understand as well. Another area that I don’t have a problem with is Chapter 18 of Jon Gordon’s book The Energy Bus. Chapter 18 is titled “No Energy Vampires on the Bus,” and it shares that you will find that while everyone may be in the boat with you, they may not be rowing in the same direction. Something as simple as a sign in the office that reads “No Energy Vampires Allowed” can help you slow those individuals who drain your positivity for various topics. Now, I shared in the opening paragraph that I would reveal a struggle, and this one is also my struggle. When I start to view someone as an energy vampire, I always question their motives in my mind. Then after a few times, I will move past them as a team member. This isn’t to say that they are someone I don’t agree with and I do this. I have some great friends who are always at different viewpoints and still enjoy working together on a regular basis. No, it is those who approach things in a negative way or appear to be an energy vampire and pull the energy level down when they get involved. Today, I will leave you with the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet."