The Energy of Caring

Seems like every few months I dwell on a particular aspect of organizational development or personal performance. Lately I have been having discussions and thinking a lot about what I call the Energy of Caring.

On the positive side I watch our Direct Service Professionals in action and that’s what they are, in action. They are on their feet, they move from person to person, they are giving the attention of proximity, they are pulling out material or putting it away, they are ready to provide hand on hand assistance if needed because they are at the person’s side. They’re also ready to catch someone who slips or give a reassuring hand because they’re physically close by.

When I visit other organizations of hear from folks who do, I see and hear about people sitting at desks or tables and spewing directions “long distance”. I heard one of our great team members say “couch potato parenting doesn’t work”. I think the same is true about providing services. It can’t be done from a chair, desk or table. People need to be on their feet and moving to provide good supports.

Think about seminars you have attended or speeches you have heard and I think the ones that inspired you, the ones you learned from, the ones you remember were form people who demonstrated energy.

Pay attention to this over the next few days and let me know what you think. Is your energy and that of those around you more like a couch potato or is it reflective of the caring our folks need. What can you do about it? What are you doing about it? I would love to hear from you.