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I always cut avocados in my hand – the thick skin and large seed catch the knife. But this time, it was a lime. And I was distracted and rushed. When I picked up the lime and threw the knife into it, the blade tore right through the fruit and into my index finger.
Two days later, I underwent hand surgery to repair the tendon I had instantly severed. The doctor said it will take six weeks before my left hand is fully functional again. Until then, I am one-handing life. Fortunately, there are valuable accessibility tools like the “dictate” function on my computer and the “voice-to-text” feature on my cell phone. (Now, if only I had a “voice-to-tie-shoelaces” tool!) I had two days before surgery to prepare for my impending obstacle. Conceptually, I could envision operating with one hand. So, for example, I replaced the salt and pepper grinders with salt and pepper shakers and Ziplocs with bag clips. But it wasn’t until I got out of surgery and physically experienced life with one hand that I comprehended the extent of my challenges. For example, I hadn’t contemplated single-handedly operating a manual can opener or putting my hair into a ponytail. Only through immersion did I gain exposure, new perspectives, and a renewed appreciation for my perseverance. Similarly, the leaders at Hyatt Hotel Corporation recognized the benefits of immersion. In 1989, they launched “Hyatt in Touch Day” to submerge corporate employees into the day-to-day operations of running a hotel. Now a yearly ritual, Hyatt leaders close the corporate offices and dispatch each corporate employee to one of Hyatt’s hotels around the country. They spend the day greeting guests, hauling luggage, assigning rooms, serving lunches, pouring drinks, and cleaning rooms. Through this exposure program, the Hyatt corporate team is literally stepping into the hotel experience to gain a fresh outlook and insights into their own business. Through mentoring, shadowing, observing, masterminding, and participating in peer groups, we can regularly create opportunities for exposure and experience. Just be sure to use a cutting board… © 2022. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved. |