©iStock.com/shironosov

None of us really jump out of airplanes (unless of course you’re the V.P. of manufacturing over here at ETE), but if we did we would be very interested to know that the person who packed our parachute was someone we could rely on. You’d want to know that the parachute was checked for rips or holes, that is would open when you needed it to, or that there was even one packed. It’s quite an important job, after all.

On the other hand, there are plenty of people that pack our everyday parachutes that we probably don’t think twice about. From the guy who drives the car pool to the city worker driving the bus or train, we trust that they’re qualified and will get us to our destinations on time. And safely.

So who’s parachute are you packing?

Think of all of the little things you do every day that effect other people. Like parking in the same spot everyday at work, closing the sugar on the coffee after you use it, or picking up a stray nail off of the shop floor. Those little things make someone else’s day a little bit easier and more tolerable. And then there are the big things, like processing a customer’s order, double checking a part number for accuracy, or informing a customer of a necessary update that they might not have knowledge of – making it possible to exist cohesively.

The next time you notice someone taking the time to refill the printer with paper or making sure that coffee order gets placed, thank them. And when you find yourself just going through the motions, stop and really give it your best attention, energy, and effort.

Pat may be the King of Core and More, but he’s also a stand up guy. Release your inner Pat and give thanks to those who, by doing their job well, help make your life just a little easier. You can start by leaving a comment below or emailing Pat directly. 
(Or, hey, tell Pat how much you like his article in person at the Auto Tech Expo, April 3-5…)