Am flying back from Denver where I just opened the APWA Western Snow and Ice Conference. I know, you never knew there was such a thing (neither did I until almost a year ago when I got invited to speak). There were about 500 people involved in handling snow and ice on the roads. Some were vendors of new products and some were snow plow drivers. What a great bunch! We talked about the principles of success I learned in the Marines. We even had a Marine Corps color guard open the convention. The audience was very appreciative of the Marines for their service to country. I agree but what about the service to country these snow plow drivers perform? The wheels of commerce (and vacations) grind, or slide, to a halt if they don’t do their job.

Think about how thankless that is. On a lonely road in a snowstorm at night working to make it passable while the snow keeps falling. Not an easy task yet one we take for granted. We take a lot of things for granted these days. I know I am coming to expect high speed Internet wherever I go. I also expect clear roads and I think you do also. What about the garbage collectors? Talk about an important job.

Let’s not confuse education and salary with importance. People at all levels of society can be very important. Rather than take them for granted find a way to thank them. I did this the other day with the garbage collectors. I was outside when they came by and it was hot. I said hi, I said thanks. I offered water. In the grand scheme of things this wasn’t a big deal but I think we can all do more of this.

We should be doing it in our workplaces with those we lead and we should do more of it. It wouldn’t hurt our society at all and you might just feel a bit better by doing it.

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