It’s important to me that I like and respect the people I work with.

Our small outfit thrives on collaboration. There’s no strict division of labor. Instead, we operate as a cohesive unit, leveraging our strengths to support the one best suited for the task. This collaborative approach is what makes us competent.

John has worked with me on and off for the last forty years. During that time, he joined the Navy and worked for several large corporations, which sent him to and paid for technical classes. He was a police officer for Gordonsville, VA, where he also served as the department’s Chaplain and a substitute minister for his church.

John’s ability to handle challenging situations is remarkable. His thoughtful approach, strength, and kindness make him one of my favorite people.

Last week, driving to Richmond to check on a project, he told me one of his stories about being a police officer.

A lady called me from her work, very distraught over not being able to get her fifteen-year-old son out of bed to go to school, could I help her? I told her I would. She told me the house was unlocked so I could go in and which room he was in.

I walked in, went to his bedroom, knocked as loudly as possible, and hollered, “POLICE! Get up; I’m coming in!” When I opened the door, he jumped out of bed. I told him he had ten minutes to get dressed, brush his teeth, and get his backpack together before school.

He got himself together; I put him in the police car and hauled him to school. I escorted him into the office, where we signed in, and then I escorted him to his class.

Years later, he called me on my cell phone and thanked me personally for doing that. He felt that it changed his life for the better. Nobody wants to be hauled to school by a police officer.