It’s about working together for a common purpose

On Jan. 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy gave perhaps the most famous inauguration speech of any president ever. His most often quoted line is: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” I was only 10 years old, and I’ve never been able to forget that line.

It’s not just how great countries are built; it’s how great companies are built. And now this concept seems to be all but forgotten, as so many people look for what they can get instead of what they can contribute.

When you interview a prospective employee, how often do you find the greatest interest is in salary and benefits instead of what the job entails? How many weeks vacation do I get? How many holidays? How about benefits?

To me, the candidates that demonstrate an interest in learning how to maximize their contributions stand head and shoulders above those whose only interest seems to be in what they can get, even though that’s important.

I can remember a Walt Disney film, “Those Calloways.” It was set in 1930s Vermont in the midst of the Depression. When somebody needed a home, the neighbors got together and built them a log cabin. When’s the last time you saw something like that happen?

Yes, Habitat for Humanity is a charitable organization that builds homes for the poor using volunteers, but it’s a highly organized effort. The movie showed neighbors recognizing a need and naturally rising to the occasion as if helping someone was a great privilege. And it used to be fairly common. It still happens today, but not like it used to.

Take the issue of face masks. It may be one of our most controversial issues today, with a plethora of articles both pro and con. “Can my employer force me to wear a face mask?” “Can the governor?” “Do they work?” Etc., etc., etc.

As I understand it, face masks (unless you have an N95) offer us little protection from catching the virus. However, they offer everyone around us protection from catching it from us if we have it without knowing. We don’t wear masks to protect ourselves but to protect everybody else. Not wearing a mask is not being macho; it’s being inconsiderate.

Remember the meatpacking plants, where hundreds of employees got infected all at once? How can that be good for anyone? How can it be good for business?

I don’t like wearing a mask either. It fogs my glasses. Even so, it seems to be a small price to pay to keep the people around me safe.

Guess what? I could actually have Covid and not know it. I’m sure I’d know if I developed symptoms, but the most diabolical part of this virus is the not knowing. When we’re infected and don’t know it, we’re often spreading the virus to those we know and love. Do we really want to do that?

Let’s keep the politics out of this. They don’t belong here. The question is what do we want to do for each other? I feel terrible about the businesses in lockdown, the lost jobs, etc., much of which is completely unnecessary. If we would all take reasonable precautions, these businesses could stay open. If customers felt safe, they would patron them. That’s how you beat Covid. Protests have no effect, but actively doing our best to stop the spread — that makes a difference.

Covid-19 has forced massive changes in many businesses. Some have adapted and are doing fairly well, despite the restrictions. Some have innovated to take advantage of the situation and are doing better than ever. And yes, many have just gone out of business.

Let’s minimize the latter and maximize the others. We’ll all be better off. If we’ve hired the right kinds of people, there’s no need for a mandate. They’ll want to do the right thing for themselves, their colleagues and customers, and for the business.

Ronald J. Bourque, a consultant and speaker from Salem, has had engagements throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. He can be reached at 603-898-1871 or RonBourque3@gmail.com.