I write of these two because they are similar in many ways, and, incidentally, as of this writing, they both live in Florida near Miami.
One was a dentist, and the other a chiropractor. Both were committed to their profession and were excellent practitioners. I worked with the dentist in New York and the chiropractor in Miami to help their staffs function as family team members and to eliminate any semblance of a hierarchy in their offices.
The dentist was and remains a student of life and what it demands of us. This was equally true of the chiropractor. Both were superb students and never resisted where I took them relative to relationships and dialogue. Neither ever knowingly misused their power and, in fact, fought abusive power when it entered their personal lives. Perhaps they did not see themselves this way, but they would not tolerate those who used power to benefit themselves. I was a witness to this.
Both fed me so well that I still smile when I think of the wonderful food they set before us. The dentist made sure we all had the best of New York’s Deli lunches. The chiropractor made reservations well in advance so we could dine on Rock Crab, a true delicacy in Miami, or huge corned beef sandwiches at Miami’s best delis.
Working with them and so many others like them was uplifting. Although power in a leader’s hands is too often misused and woefully misunderstood, many (certainly all I worked with) wanted their power to benefit their family, staff, and clients. They employed me to teach them how to elevate them all to the level of being “givers,” not “takers and users.”
Sy
