Nothing a Bear Claw Wouldn't Solve

Growing up in a very small town on the plains of South Dakota, one of childhood's simple pleasures was walking the three blocks or so to Main Street with my dad.   We might go into the (now, in hindsight, incredibly small) IGA grocery store or the slightly bigger G+W Market.   Surely the post office would be included.  Occasionally Miller's Drug Store.   A really good walk  would also include the bakery by the G+W.  On summer days, only the screen door would separate the outdoors from the comforting fragrance of baked goods inside.   Breads and rolls and Danish and Bear Claws - each one was a treat.   Each one was comfort food.  Somehow one of those bear claws made almost everything alright.

The memories inspire good thoughts.  During a particular challenging week at work, I found myself thinking about what's ahead and the potential personal impact. . .and then I found myself reflecting: "It's nothing a bear claw wouldn't solve."  

And that is a raw, simple emotion. . . and it's also very real.    Sometimes in the heat of work - we often miss those simple things that can make us. . .and our team, feel better.   So, I encourage each of us to seek  and know that which is simple.   If a team member is feeling bad - would taking them out for a latte make them feel better?   A box of doughnuts?  A milk shake?   Letting someone go to the park for a few hours of respite?  Sometimes even just an encouraging word offers enough comfort to make it through the week.

 To know the simple things that can mean the world. . .and to be able to connect those simple things to individuals. . .that really is a great gift.

And these are not solutions that cover every single problem - certainly most business (and life) problems are complex and we are not well-served to pretend that a simple thing will solve everything.

There are those times, however, that if a simple gift is offered and received. . .then the world becomes a better place and we are able to move on.   And we must remember this - we are not reliant upon others for these things;   we can also do this for ourselves.

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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.