When Will We Appreciate the Helpers?
The purpose for taking this quiz was for each to determine how to be better agents based on our personality types and to also be aware of what our specific needs were and how to identify potential clients that we would work with best. What stuck out to me in this analysis, as it relates to this particular post, was that when the trainer spoke about the needs of each personality type, he specifically pointed out that although helpers and supporters rarely ever say it, they NEED to be appreciated. He then went on to elaborate about how a lack of appreciation negatively affects those who help and support their leaders.
Nowadays, one can go on any social media site or read any self-help book or listen to any motivational speech and they all speak to leadership in some capacity. People love to be recognized as a leader, as a boss, or to be promoted to positions of leadership, or bask in the glory that includes running their business where they alone are calling the shots. However, we as a people encountered a problem when the suffering that our economy endured just over 5 years ago lead to a distrust of dependency on our leaders and on those for whom we work. Nevertheless, the loss of trust was highly understandable. With the fall of our economy we saw a huge amount of disloyalty from our leaders, managers, bosses, and employers as a hole who saw it as an opportunity to hire and obtain high quality labor for cheap which unfortunately meant weeding out existing workers even if those workers had invested half of their lives working for the company.
It was sad. Many lives were affected by these firings and layoffs which oftentimes seemed unnecessary and even downright cruel to those who desperately needed their jobs.
Still, once people got a clue that it was time to start looking out for #1, many decided to become their own boss by starting their own small businesses. Although, I feel as though this was a time which created unique opportunities for many people who might not have otherwise stepped out on faith to pursue their dreams, I also think that this situation created an unhealthy state in which leaders began to see their helpers and supporters as expendable and easily replaceable. Meanwhile, those who had been good helpers and supporters began to despise their role and their duties based on unfair treatment and being underappreciated by those they had so faithfully served.
So I have a few questions…
1.) When are we going to start appreciating our helpers?
2.) When are we going to realize that while we are all trying to be bosses, that we cannot do everything ourselves and that we need helpers and supporters?
3.) When are we going to start realizing that good help is not as easily replaceable as we think it is?
4.) When are we going to stop undermining the hard work that it takes to help and support those who lead?
5.) If everyone is a leader or a boss, then who’s behind the scenes making sure that all operations are running as they should?
Our helpers and supporters perform all sorts of duties no matter how big or small whether it’s getting coffee, making a schedule, answering phones, making copies, filling in when the numbers are down, remembering things that everyone else forgets about, keeping us organized, or helping and supporting their leaders by keeping them at the top of their game by multitasking and coordinating difficult situations which also means taking on great stress. Every single time a leader steps out to face the world and make big decisions the helpers and the supporters are there!
There are some bosses and leaders who would not even be where they are or as successful as they are if it were not for their helpers and supporters.
Why?
Because none of us can do everything all by ourselves!
When we begin to take for granted those who help and support us, then bit by bit we sabotage ourselves and in many cases everything that we’ve worked so hard to build.
It is always important to recognize that no matter how far you plan to go, you cannot get there alone and no matter how far you’ve already come you didn’t get there by yourself. You had help. You had support. When you find someone who is willing to dedicate THEIR LIFE to YOUR dream, you should respect and appreciate them.
We all have a purpose in this life, and it should be considered no small token when someone helps and supports us in accomplishing that purpose. Furthermore, if helping and supporting is your special gift, you should never ever think of it as small. Without you there is a lot that would never get accomplished. You are a backbone. An advocate. A champion.
Helpers and supporters are there to do the job that so many others oftentimes do not want to do.
So, when will we appreciate the helpers?
Start appreciating them today!
A. L. Hearn