A Moment In Time

I’ve been afforded some wonderful opportunities during my years within the ESOP community.  I’ve had the chance to learn, to share, to represent The ESOP Association, to travel, and to meet some extremely impressive people.  The ride has been terrific!

When meeting with ESOP people, I’m frequently asked a question about “threshhold moments,” those points in the ESOP journey where a company or even an employee owner suddenly seems to “get it,” when the opportunity to really capitalize on the ESOP nature of the company becomes  obvious and the ESOP becomes fully integrated into the fabric of the firm.  I’m not sure that I ever provide a satisfactory answer to that question, other than to respond, “You’ll know it when you see it.”  Significant moments in time are difficult to predict but often easier to recognize.

I experienced one of those moments myself the other day.  It was directly related to my ESOP life and history, as the Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter planned a reunion of all ten past chapter presidents, dating back to the chapter’s inception in 1988.  The prospect of meeting up with these gifted ESOP servant leaders was more than anyone could refuse and thus the turnout included all but one past president, who unfortunately was out of town on the date.  It’s an understatement to say that I anticipated the dinner reunion.  It’s also a gross understatement to say that it turned out to be an unqualified success.  The experience of that evening was one of those electric moments in time, when the planets have lined up or biorhythms have reached perfect synchronicity, and in the middle of the moment I recognized that I was in the middle of something potentially enormous.  Like being on a sales call and so close to landing the largest account ever that you can feel the goosebumps down your back.  Or like lining up for the final serve in a sporting match that will earn  your first championship.  You know that you’re on the verge of a place you’ve never been before, and that it could prove to be momentous.

For the record, read the names of the past leaders and, if you have any familiarity with The ESOP Association over the past 20 years, you will hear a litany of ownership leadership and service: Dean Bodem, Les Eck, Ken Slipka, Steve McClintock, Cheryl Volkman, Ann Biggar, John Harlander, Sheryl Neuman, John Purves and Chapter Administrator Sue Crockett.  If you have little familiarity with The ESOP Association, suffice it to say that the Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter has been one of the most innovative and dynamic chapters in the country and in no small part due to the efforts and leadership of these folks.   And of course, as we all acknowledged throughout the conversation, there were so many others who were absolutely integral to our success without having ever presided over the chapter.

 

I knew that the gathering would be fun.  I knew that we would tell countless stories to each other about past chapter activities, company initiatives, things that were tried and failed, risks that were attempted with great success, and how the elemental issues of our lives- business and personal- have changed.  I expected all of that and was not in the least disappointed.  What I had not entirely anticipated  was the recognition of what we all meant to each other, especially when we were actively engaged in the chapter’s life.  I sat back and simply listened to the joyful recitations around the table and heard the unrestrained regard and respect for one another.  This reunion transcended the normal, great-to-see-you-again makeup of such gatherings because of the common bond that we share through our ESOP company experiences, the tenures shared within the chapter’s life, and what we came to know about the magic of holistic ownership and participation, and ourselves.

That claim may seem inflated, but as I soaked in the unique sounds of ESOP wisdom and leadership experiences reverberating there, I understood the uncommon strength represented by these people, both as individuals and as part of an uncommon group.  Some of us have retired from our ESOP companies, some have moved on to new ventures, some are still working in their ESOP firms and are actively involved in TEA.    Yet an undeniable energy permeated this evening, an enthusiasm for the elements that help create positive work environments and well-being in others.  It’s one of the things that made the night so much fun, so inspiring.

A recognition of our collective capacities emerged as we reconnected, an awakening of our resourcing, mentoring, consulting, advising, and encouraging abilities.  It dawned on us as tangibly as the laughter we shared.  And as the evening closed in on its too-soon ending, there seemed to be concurrent awareness that collectively we represented a remarkable potential.  Perhaps we all simply wished that the evening would not end so soon, but the readiness in each of us to respond to whatever form this potential might take in the future was palpable.  On the verge of a place you’ve never been before, and that it could prove to be momentous.

Success is born of such moments.  Whether in a business or an association or within a personal epiphany, great initiatives stem from clear, lucid moments of recognition.  Within an ESOP company, the ability to recognize, mobilize around and respond to such occasions, with agility and strength, is often what creates those magical, “threshhold moments” wherein an ESOP comes of age.  Great leaders, great followers, great ESOP companies know what to look for and how to capitalize on these times.

I don’t know what lies ahead for the past presidents of the Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter.  Will we discover a way to create something lasting and contributory out of our reunion?  Will there be some way in which our disparate paths might come together in a single direction for a time?  Is there a new resource about to be discovered as a result of our assembly?  I’m not sure.  I do know that we have encountered a special moment in time, one that has presented an intriguing series of ideas and questions.  I also realize that I am incredibly blessed to have been part of this group’s legacy and that if nothing else ever comes of that warm summer’s night, it was lightning in a bottle all by itself, on the verge of a place I’ve never been before, and that it could prove to be momentous….

~ by Steve Sheppard on July 14, 2008.