Hi Reader,
It’s been said that in 1962, when President John F. Kennedy visited NASA headquarters, he asked a janitor what he was doing. The janitor replied, “I’m helping put a man on the moon.”
Whether or not this story is true, the message behind it is that every role matters, and each of our individual contributions support something bigger than any one person.
That idea came to life for me over this past New Year’s long weekend with friends, in ways I didn’t expect.
We gathered at my childhood friend’s house in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, to welcome in the New Year. It was a time full of good food, laughter, relaxing by the fire, and a few last-minute trips to the store.
New Year's Eve rush
On New Year’s Eve, a few of us rushed to the last open supermarket. True to my project-manager instincts, I assigned everyone items in the parking lot so we could divide and conquer.
Then, as I do anytime I walk into a store, I promptly forgot my own list and wandered the aisles until it came back to me with only minutes to spare. A kind security guard helped me track everything down so we could check out before the doors closed, and the cashier was really interested in what we were preparing for dinner.
Just like the janitor helping put a man on the moon, the service people in that grocery service were helping make our New Year’s Eve dinner incredible.
As the holiday weekend came to an end, one of my friends and I drove back toward Toronto along a scenic country route. Once again, we met people in service roles who genuinely wanted to help.
One woman in particular was determined to make us the best sandwiches ever, all while asking us about our travels. In that small country store, it was clear she simply wanted to make our journey a little better.
Minions
This brings me to my point. Many years ago, I worked with a physician who referred to her lower-paid staff as “minions” and asked me to assign tasks to them.
If you’re not familiar, the Oxford Dictionary defines a minion as “a follower or underling of a powerful person, especially a servile or unimportant one.”
I was stunned that she would describe people who work tirelessly in essential service roles that way. Every role in healthcare matters, and the care and support these team members provide was far from unimportant.
Let's get to the moon
In my opinion, no role is too small and no contribution is insignificant. Whether it’s a janitor at NASA, a security guard in a supermarket, a sandwich maker in a country store, or a member of a healthcare team, every person helps move the mission forward.
Our project initiatives succeed not because of one superstar, but because every member of the team shows up, does their part, and supports the work of others.
When we recognize and value the efforts of everyone, we create the conditions for amazing deliverables, whether that’s reaching the moon, delivering excellent patient care, or simply making someone’s day a little brighter.
In the end, it’s not about titles or pay grades. It’s about purpose, contribution, and the understanding that every role matters.
Here’s sending good New Year’s wishes your way, with gratitude for the contributions you make, big or small, that help move your team and mission forward.
|
Barbara Kephart, PMP
Founder and Chief Project Officer
Projects Pivot
|
|
How We Can Help
Be sure to add our email address to your contacts to stay updated on all the good PM stuff we’re doing.
Another great way to keep us out of your spam folder is to reply to this message with your favorite emoji!
|
Recent Articles
The Pot Roast Principle: Planner get to work
Please share with your colleagues!