Note from blogger Cathy Benko: Back by popular demand--Sharon Allen, Chairman of the Board, Deloitte LLP, returns to share a few more words of wisdom. I, on the other hand, would like to wish you all a very relaxing long holiday weekend filled with family, friends, and plenty of sunshine!
Writing recently in the WIN Blog illustrated just how worthwhile it is to venture outside our comfort zone. The responses told me something that WIN Chair Dr. Sally Ride would be pleased to hear. From what was shared, it’s clear that all of you have the right stuff — namely, the courage to tackle new challenges (if not shoot for the moon). Thanks for taking the time to write!
Today, I’d like to share with you the profound influence my early years have had on my life.
I grew up on a farm in Idaho, the youngest of four girls in a tight-knit family. My grandparents lived next door. We raised potatoes, of course, and other crops including beans and barley. There was plenty of time for chores and plenty of opportunities to learn important life lessons.
I often speak about my grandmother. She took great pride in the beauty of her prized flower garden. Each fall, she insisted that we dig up the gladiola bulbs and carefully clean and store them before replanting them in the spring. It wasn’t easy. There were literally hundreds of bulbs and tending to them took a long time. I didn't understand why we couldn't just leave the bulbs in the ground and let them come up on their own like everyone else did.
But to my grandmother, that was not good enough. For the gladiolas to bloom to their fullest size and most radiant color, we had to do our part. It was not about doing something extraordinary. It was about taking something ordinary and doing it extraordinarily well. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, that was a clear example of striving for excellence.
I also learned the importance of balancing work with life. On the farm, there is always work to be done. But church and family, schools and community also deserved our time. Achieving balance means taking care of business — while recognizing that the needs of family, friends, neighbors, and the community also were our business.
Some time ago, I concluded that such work/life balance is important to forging strong ethical character. In a recent external survey conducted for Deloitte, 91 percent of the more than 1,000 adults polled agreed. Think about it. If people invest everything in their jobs, they can become dependent on their jobs for everything — including their self-identity. This can make it even harder to make the right decision if they face an ethical dilemma whose outcome may affect their professional success.
When I went to the University of Idaho, the school’s motto was “From here, you can go anywhere.” And I have been fortunate to go much further beyond my comfort zone than I could have ever imagined. But I shouldn’t be surprised. Looking back, so many people created a strong support system for me by teaching me strong values.
While my responsibilities as Chairman take me across the country and around the world, my roots are firmly planted in small town Idaho. They ground me to this day and support the values that will always define my life.
So, how about you? What grounds you in your values?
By Guest Blogger Sharon Allen,
Chairman of the Board, Deloitte LLP
