Transforming organisations

Finding your level

We aspire to excellence; we have to in this global economic climate. So we work hard, we do the learning, we do the personal development, get the results and maybe some publicity and ......and then.......someone notices.

I remember Dr Taylor. When I was a boy he worked as a GP in a surgery on a local council estate. He was a very well spoken, tall and dignified man. People said he was a wonderful doctor and that he could relate to, and help literally anybody that walked through his door.
The local press reported that he had won awards for his work and that he had been invited to form part of a practice in Harley Street. The press insisted that Dr Taylor was interviewed at length; he was asked about this new opportunity in London. He smiled, he was very patient with the reporters who asked all sorts of questions. Finally Dr Taylor was asked how he would enjoy the commuting, every day from Redhill in Surrey to London Victoria and then the tube. It was then that he replied that he was not going to do any commuting. And there was silence in the room.

He added quietly, “Thank you for inviting me to discuss this recognition, and I am grateful for the awards, but I intend to stay here in Merstham, working as a GP on the council estate until I retire.”

So yes, we do indeed have to continue to try and get better at what we do. But that doesn’t have to mean pastures new. We can carry on doing what we do, where we are, right now.

Labels: knowing that the journey towards excellence does not have to mean relocation

posted by Tim @ 8:57 AM