There are four other areas that identify my Talent DNA, and I want to share them with you now. Number one, I don’t like change. I really just want things to stay the way they are. Now, I don’t mean that I want my kids to freeze in time and never grow. I love seeing Ranger, my four-month-old grandson, change from week to week, because it celebrates growth, and development. The kind of change I don’t like are the day-to-day events in my life. If I like a song the first time I hear it I don’t want the artist to change it later. If I like a recipe the first time I taste the results, I don’t want a “new and improved” recipe.
A few years ago I went to Target to buy some new “unmentionables, BVD’s, drawers, or whatever you want to call them.” When I walked straight to the brand I like, and the style I like, I was horrified to see these words printed on the package, “NEW, IMPROVED FIT.” ‘WHAT?!!!’ I shouted inside. Sure enough, my worst fears were realized when I got home and donned a pair of the “new and improved fit” garment, and discovered they had improved the fit using a dummy that wasn’t me. I was ruined for a month as I adapted to the unfamiliar feel of “improved.”
Folks, in my opinion, the only reason something that was perfect already is improved, is because the designer doing the improving had to invent something, or be out of a job. In my way of thinking…the guy should be held liable. Listen up Corporate America; if you want to change something, you need to check with the Grump first.
- Since you need consistency, predictability and stability, you do not like change.
- You also have a need to put everything in a box and to have control over what happens to you.
Which bring me to the next trait I have been blessed with. I feel that I should be involved. Now that doesn’t mean I think I should be involved in the next lunar landing. I just need to be involved in the next thing that is going to affect me. Although I think committees are over rated I prefer being on them as opposed to being left out. If nothing else, I can at least expedite matters. I believe everyone charged with a task has the right to be heard, however, once all have been heard from, the conclusion should be summarized, acted on, and instigated. There is no need for the continued “beating of a dead horse.”
- Kent, you think you should be involved.
- You place a high value on the right to participate and be involved.
Number three on this list of Talent DNA is; I like to help people. I want to see people grow, and prosper. I want folks to be successful. I want to help everyone identify his or her gift and enjoy using it as God intended.
I’m going to sound really old to some of you now as give this short example of receiving help from a like-minded acquaintance. Back in 1988 I was the Vice President of the Texas Independent Ginners Association. During the Association’s convention that year, I was privileged to introduce the keynote speaker on Saturday. His name is Doc Blakely, and he is one of the most highly regarded professional speakers from that era. Doc has been awarded the highest honor possible from the National Speakers Association, the Cavett Award. He is also one of the funniest guys you will ever meet.
I don’t remember what I said that day as I introduced him, but I do remember what he said after his presentation. After Doc spoke that day he came to me and said “if you ever want to become a professional speaker, look me up, I think you have what it takes, and would be happy to help you if I can.” About seventeen years later, after not seeing him for all that time, I looked up Doc on the Internet, contacted him, and ask him if he was serious about helping me. He said, “Absolutely I was serious.” Paula and I drove to Wharton, Texas where Doc and his bride live, and Doc spent an entire day discussing the speaking business with me. When I asked him why he would take the time to help a virtual stranger he replied, “I had a man help me get started in the business, and promised God and myself, that if I was ever called on to pass along that help, I would gladly do it.”
Now friends, that is a servant attitude, and I am thankful for folks like Doc. Please check up on Doc at, http://www.docblakely.com/ You know friends, some folks might have said, ‘well you need to “pay your dues,” “earn your keep,” or “put in your time,” and then I’ll help you.’ Maybe the encouragement given would be, “trust in God’s timing, He will open the door for you.” Please forgive me for asking this question. How do you know that God isn’t trying to use you as part of His timing? Thanks to a man like Doc, I promise to do whatever I can, to help who ever I can, to do whatever they have been given the talent to do.
- You look for opportunities to help other people since You are most comfortable when you are involved with others.
- You look for the strengths of others and find ways to incorporate their strengths to benefit the team.
And finally, my Talent DNA showed something that Dr. Gary Chapman’s book; The Five Love Languages had already taught me. I thrive on “atta boy’s.” My primary love language is receiving recognition, being told, “good job,” or maybe getting a hug from someone who likes who I am and what I have done. Yes, nothing makes my day like being validated for who I am, what I have accomplished, and what I can offer.
- Since your focus is on receiving recognition from the team, Kent, you know that you must be a team player and get others on the team.
Well there you have me folks, in all my glory. You and I may not be cut from the same cloth. We may not do things the same way, or for the same reason. And isn’t that a wonderful thing. Wouldn’t it be horrible if we were all identical? In I Corinthians 12, and Romans 12 the scripture tells us that we are all members of one body, but we have all been given different gifts. The passage is speaking of the Church, but I believe the same lesson applies to everyday life, and everyday people.
Please, use your gift, allow others to use their gift, and then enjoy the beauty that the total body displays.
Till next time,
Grump