In the end, it's really about people

Colleagues,
 
Today we continue the series on the twenty most important things I have learned from others.
 
In the end, it’s really about people

I’ve been blessed to have had an incredible career in which I have been able to contribute important things to a lot of people. As a teacher and leader, I have been able to change lives (that’s a shameless plug for the teaching profession). I’m not done yet, either. 
 
However, what I have only recently come to understand is that as important as those things have been, what really mattered was being in the relationships with each person. It really is about the person in front of you at the moment, and about being human together.
 
We forget that in this insanely busy world. Try this – instead of eating lunch at your computer trying to catch up with email, go eat lunch with a colleague. Enjoy being present with and for that person. That is more important than email. Spending time with a colleague will also make you a better leader in a way that catching up on email cannot.
 
I’ll be away from email for a while, but please feel free to respond to this series and I will get back to you after my return.
 
Do good and be well,
 
Frederick