Who's packing your parachute?

My last blog was about firing employees so I wanted to flip that and talk about celebrating those employees who contribute to your business each and every day.  I am passionate about counseling my clients on employee retention.  Reminding them that retaining good employees is not only more productive but more cost effective than going through the time and effort of hiring and training new employees.  

Following is a true inspirational story that many have heard over the years… but recently I learned that there are many who haven’t heard the story.  And it is a story worth repeating.  It may seem odd that I have chosen to use this to illustrate employer/employee relations but as you will see it is the basic truth within the story that carries a powerful message.   

Captain Charles Plumb, a US Naval Academy graduate and jet fighter pilot in Vietnam in the 60’s had completed 75 combat missions when he was shot down. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands, spending six years in a Vietnamese prison.

One day while eating at a restaurant with his wife a man came up and said, "Your Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!"

"How in the world did you know that?" asked Plumb. "Because I packed your parachute," the man replied. Charles Plumb in surprise and gratitude staggered to his feet and held out a very grateful hand of thanks. “I guess it worked.” “Yes sir, indeed it did”, Plumb said, “And I must tell you I’ve said a lot of prayers of thanks for your nimble fingers, but I never thought I’d have the opportunity to express my gratitude in person.”

 

That night Plumb could not sleep. He said, "I kept pondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform - a Dixie cup hat, a bib in the back, and bell bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said good morning, how are you, or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor."

Every job in your business is important. If it weren’t, you wouldn’t have someone spending their day doing it.  Thank your employee at the front desk who greets your customers, or perhaps your Admin Assistant who keeps you organized, and how about the employee in accounting that keeps your finances in order and up to date so you can make sound business decisions. And don't forget to recognize your maintenance worker who keeps the machines running so you can meet your quotas. Recognize whoever it is that does all the little things necessary for you to succeed.

 

People want to be proud of what they do. Give them that opportunity. Recognize those people doing all the little things that are critical to your success. Those employees may not save your life as the sailor did for Charles Plumb, but their contributions are the key to the success of your business.

Now go find your parachute packer and recognize them for their contribution, right now!