Character is what you do when no one is looking. – Robert Coles

Some of my greatest sources of inspiration come not from famous individuals who are well known for courageous acts and altruistic lifestyles but from ordinary people who take the time to do little things well, often completely unnoticed, thereby illustrating their noble character.

I was reminded of this recently after Communitas hosted a large staff and family picnic in a local Abbotsford park. Attended by hundreds of people there were, as expected, some things left behind. Long after the tents had been taken down, microphones and speakers dismantled, tables and chairs stacked and loaded on trucks, and almost everyone had gone home, I observed from a distance, one of the staff walking back and forth over the area of the park that had been occupied. As I watched more closely, I noticed that he was carrying a garbage bag and was picking up all the little things left behind, gum wrappers, plastic cup lids, straws, crayons…you get the idea. It occurred to me that he was not only taking the time to thoroughly clean up the space that we had just vacated but he was making the place even cleaner than when we had arrived. By doing this "little" and largely unnoticed act, he was assuring that the reputation of this organization would be, at the very least, that it could be trusted to clean up after itself, that it had learned well a basic Kindergarten maxim, clean up your own mess. In doing this "little" act, he was taking the time to consider those who would follow so that they could enjoy a nice clean park. He was doing his part to be a good citizen; he was being a good steward of this wonderful earth. He was demonstrating his noble character.

Similarly, I wish to pay tribute to the many people in Communitas who work so diligently behind the scenes, taking responsibility for the many little tasks that need to be done to ensure the smooth functioning of a community. I wish to acknowledge all those who pay attention to details, assuming full responsibility for clearly written reports and accurate accounting, for quality maintenance, pleasing esthetics, operational efficiency, etc. It is these people who are making this world a better place simply because they pay attention to the little things.  As I think of them and all that they do, I am inspired to do the same. These folks take the time to focus one at a time on individuals in their care, paying attention to behavioural nuances, "listening" to non-verbal communication, imagining life from another's perspective. The late Dag Hammarskjold, when working as the Secretary General of the United Nations, said, "It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labour diligently for the salvation of the masses."

And so, I express gratitude for the inspiration that I have gained from so many individuals and groups doing so many "little" things. I am challenged to acknowledge the areas where I am sloppy, to pay attention to all those actions and attitudes that need improvement. After all, for most of us, it is not about doing great and wonderful things; it is about doing little things well.

Steve Thiessen, CEO

BACK