Do you know how your values shape your performance? In this story my client gave me permission to share, you’ll hear how his values and his commitment to honor his word guided him. Here’s his story…
On an international flight from China, the captain’s voice woke us: “Will the doctors on board please press their call buttons.” I looked at my watch. It was the middle of the night. I automatically reached for the button, then lowered my hand. If I get sued, I put my family at risk — the litigation will bankrupt us.
I know there are 500 people on the flight. Surely, there are other doctors who can answer the call. The captain called again: “Will any doctors on board please push their call button and make themselves known.” I looked at my watch again. 7 minutes had passed since the first call.I was really struggling with myself. Come on, someone. I don’t believe I am the only doctor on board!
What do I do?
I pressed my call button and went to the flight attendant. “I’m a doctor.”
I followed her to the business class galley. The person in need was unable to stand unassisted. One of the flight attendants said, “Well, he’s not bleeding. He must not be too bad.” Fifteen years ago, I would have come down hard on her as I am sure I did on nurses making unqualified assessments. She was ignorant, not ill-intended. She saw what she saw. I saw a guy going downhill quickly, about to go into anaphylactic shock.
The purser had already retrieved the plane’s medical kit and had a syringe in her hand, knowing that if no doctor showed up, she was accountable for injecting something generic into the man that hopefully would help. She gladly handed me the syringe. I inserted an IV, pushed lots of fluids. He stabilized. When we landed, he was put in the hands of the waiting medics.
Days later, back at my corporate desk, as I was answering emails, attending meetings, pushing papers, I heard myself wonder: Is this the right job for me? Is this how I want to use my talents and skills? Does it match my values? Am I satisfied in a way that matters to me? Am I contributing what I want?
During the incident, as the man’s pulse returned to normal, the purser patted me on the back, saying “you’re an angel.” That respect is what I crave. I don’t always get it, or as much as I want, at my corporate desk. I was happy the guy stabilized, not just for his sake and his health, but for mine, too.
On that plane, in the middle of the night, life was telling me something. I’m listening. I also heard your voice, Camille, and our conversations about my values. I’m going to stabilize myself and take care of my health by taking care of my values.
[Dear Reader, as you look ahead to the New Year, I invite you to listen what your values are telling you. Honoring your values can help avoid a mid-air, mid-life, mid-career, even a mid-sentence disaster.]
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