Building Camaraderie
Posted: March 3, 2010 by Don Tyler
Related terms:
A few years ago I had the privilege of working with the late Senator David Ford, a highly respected Indiana State Senator who was a true friend of agriculture and all-around great guy. We were on a state-level committee for an agricultural institute and were tasked with presenting to that institute’s Board of Directors a new approach to a key program. We did a very thorough presentation, answered questions, and got the Board’s response—“Sounds like a great idea, but we don’t think now is a good time to be making changes of this magnitude….” We appreciated their quick decision and frank discussion.We stayed to eat lunch with them and while sitting beside Senator Ford he quietly leaned over to me, so that I was the only one that could hear, and he said, “Don, there’s nothing that builds camaraderie more than being shot down in the same airplane!” Since he was a pilot I figured he knew what he was talking about….
In working with family operations around the country I enjoy listening to the elder generation talk about their worst weather conditions, their toughest financial challenges, untimely family health issues, etc.—and how they overcame those difficulties. Imbedded in these stories is a variety of life lessons as well as the development of an exceptional level of camaraderie with those who faced the challenge shoulder to shoulder with them.
You’ve heard these same stories told over and over, and the best ones include the way that everyone was different after the experience. They knew they could count on each other at a higher level because they had “been in the fight” together.
Sometimes we establish life-long friendships with these people and know that we can count on them to come through in other challenges.
Remember these times and the success that you’ve had, and relish the camaraderie that could only come from these types of challenges. Share your stories and rely on each other as you face similar situations in the future.
Stay Connected:
