Giving Thanks For Team Spirit
November 24, 2009 by Mike Hingson · 1 Comment
At this special time of year when we take inventory of the freedoms afforded to us in the great nation, I am particularly thankful for Team Spirit in America. I survived 9/11 because of teamwork, so for me, as a national public speaker and “expert” on teamwork, I live it, breathe it, share it and teach it. However, two recent events caused me to pause and reflect on the health of our nation’s attitude towards teamwork.
The first event was the announcement that President Obama was awarded the Nobel peace prize. The second more subtle part to the national dialogue on teamwork came with the announcement that Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback Brett Farve “has now beaten every NFL team.” What do these two events have in common? In both cases, golden opportunities were missed to highlight “team spirit” and to enhance a greater feeling of unity in this country during such a critical time in our nation’s history.
In the case of “Brett Farve defeating every NFL team,” the last time I checked, football was not an individual sport but rather a game based on team play. In fact, Mr. Farve has not, and I quote, “defeated every team.” A more appropriate headline would have been, “Brett Farve has led his teams to victory against every NFL team.” Brett Farve is a true leader and as such he himself has always pointed out that he is part of a team and that his victories are the team’s victories. He like other true team sports heroes recognizes the value of teamwork.
His greatest accomplishment, I submit, is not his play on the field but rather the work behind the scenes which he accomplishes to create a winning team spirit and to unify a diverse group of people into a cohesive winning and successful team.
Now let’s take a look at President Obama’s achievement. After the announcement was made that President Barack Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize, the backlash throughout the media was not a sense of pride over the positive recognition the President had brought to America by winning such a universally accepted honor but rather negative commentary such as: “what has he really accomplished to deserve this prize?, and “perhaps the Nobel Prize committee was making a political statement” instead of awarding the prize to someone who truly deserved it.
Of course, many of the less-than-positive comments directed toward this incredible award were politically motivated. Steeped in politics or not, all of the negative commentary throughout the United States political spectrum only served to show how little concern our so-called “thought leaders” have for team spirit or desire to create a sense of unity in this country.
Over the past several years I have written many articles and given many speeches concerning the subject of teamwork and the concepts of teambuilding. I constantly marvel at the fact that so many people say they want to build better teams but when shown how to do so refuse to take responsibility for making teaming relationships a reality. I constantly wonder why if teamwork is such an important goal and if people wanted so much why is it so hard to achieve?
I suspect that the answer is that people don’t really understand teamwork or they are hesitant to subject themselves to the interdependence that teamwork requires.
So how can we contribute to bringing back a sense of unity and teamwork in the United States? First, we must want to be part of the team. The fact is that we have team relationships throughout every aspect of our lives. We have relationships with coworkers, spouses, other students and teachers if we are in school, and some of us even have strong team relationships with other creatures such as the one I have with my guide dog, Africa. Think of what our world would be like if we didn’t have such team relationships. We should be grateful for these relationships and the opportunities they afford us to add value and help shape our destiny, personally and nationally.
A sense of unity and teamwork in our country is no different. It doesn’t matter that the whole United States team contains over 350 million members. The fact is we should still view our entire population as other members on the same team. If we don’t value and accept our interdependence and make that work for the greater good, how can we expect to reach our potential greatness as a country?
Second, we must lead by example. What is each of us doing to help create a sense of teamwork in the United States? Are we demanding that our political leaders find ways to work together? Are we insisting that the various factions of Congress stopped throwing stones and start getting creative in finding solutions to our country’s problems?
I leave you with this question. What have you done today to help build a better team?
SOME THOUGHTS ON BEING A DISABLED PERSON N TODAY’S AMERICA
January 2, 2009 by Mike Hingson · 2 Comments
As a blind person living and working in this wonderful country I have come to the conclusion that the Internet has quickly become one of the greatest tools I have the fortune to use. It gives me access to many things previously only available to those who can see. With the Internet I can conduct extensive research, go shopping independently, communicate with friends and colleagues, and even take the occasional survey in order to inform some unnamed and mysterious pollster about my opinions on this or that.
Earlier today I decided to put a little adventure in my life and answer an invitation to take an online survey. In this case I knew the source of the survey and was expecting it. In the course of answering the numerous questions on a wide variety of subjects I was asked my employment status. I was asked to check the box most relevant to my situation. The choices I was given included “employed,” “concerned about my employment status,” “have a family member who is unemployed,” “unemployed,” and “retired or disabled.” “Ding ding ding” went the alarm bells in my head! “Retired or disabled”? What a strange choice to offer. I am sure that the creator of the survey had the best of intentions, but in that one choice he or she promulgated the long-standing inequality faced by disabled people and once again promoted the perception that disabled people could not really be employed.
As a disabled person or, if you will, a person with a disability, I encounter daily misconceptions and incorrect perceptions about my blindness. For example, when I am using my guide dog people often ask me questions such as “how does your dog know where it is going” or “how did your dog know to make that last left or right turn”? The perception is that the dog does everything and that I just tag along for the ride. When I use my white cane instead of a guide dog people seem to think that I’m even worse off and are always asking if they can “help” me especially when in the course of walking my cane encounters an obstacle. In reality, the cane is supposed to find obstacles and objects and then I determined how to go around or avoid them. However, sighted people interpret my cane locating an object as me bumping into it which in fact is hardly the case.
I understand these misconceptions because from birth, children in our society are taught to see without getting any real instruction about how to use their other senses as alternatives to sight. We do not teach children real inclusiveness where disabilities are concerned. Our children grow up to believe that if they could not see they would not be able to function.
For many years the Gallup polling organization has conducted surveys which show that one of the top five fears in our country is the fear of blindness. To a slightly lesser degree, so-called able-bodied people fear most any disability according to Gallup surveys. Certainly we all feel afraid of the possibility that we might lose something that we deem important in our lives. Losing a sense or”ability” would constitute a dramatic change in the way any of us live. However, there’s a difference between the fear of losing an ability and the perception that without it we could not live a “normal life.”
When people ask me if I need assistance while walking down the street I know for the most part they have the best of intentions. The fact is, like any of us, sometimes I even need assistance. Each one of us needs help and assistance from time to time. For example, someone simply walking to their car while carrying a number of bags or packages can always use an extra hand or two. There is the occasional person who will offer assistance to an individual laden down with stuff they are caring to their car. Far be it from me to condemn someone who offers me assistance because the person asking to help might very well be the one who would lend an extra hand to the person carrying all those packages.
The fact is, however, that many people offer assistance to persons with a disability because they do not know that disability does not mean lack of ability or competence. For my part, it is important that I respond appropriately to offers of help. It does no one any good to react in anger to offers of assistance. An invitation to help is at least an opportunity to educate just a bit. I must admit that sometimes the role of constant educator does get a bit trying. Nevertheless it is important to me to be patient, and sometimes even bite my tongue while attempting to change someone’s incorrect perception about what I can and cannot do.
I am often asked if I believe that blind and other disabled persons are better off today than in the past. In some ways I believe that we are. For example for me as a blind person Braille is easier and cheaper to produce. Technology offers me a plethora of ways to access information, travel more independently than ever, and in general live life with less difficulty than before those technological marvels were made available to me.
On the other hand, are we more socially integrated into society than we were 50, 20, or even 10 years ago? I think not, or at least I do not believe that we are significantly better off from a true social integration standpoint. The survey I took this morning is a perfect example of the lack of integration we face. Rather than offering an option of “retired or disabled” a more appropriate choice of words would’ve been “retired or unable to work”. Being unable to work opens up a whole realm of possibilities including temporary injury, illness, a family situation, and yes even a possibility of a severe disability which specifically keeps someone from working.
I will know that I am truly integrated into society when people regard me as amazing because of some amazing thing that I do rather than because I do the same things that they do except that I happened to be blind. I will know that I’m a real first-class citizen when I can walk into restaurants with friends and the wait staff asked me for my order rather than asking my sighted colleagues “what does he want?” I will know that I have arrived when I can go to meetings and conventions where all the materials given to sighted people are available to me in Braille or another accessible form.
In 2008 we elected a new president of the United States who ran on a platform of change and hope. President-elect Obama’s platform included statements reflecting his concern about improving the status of persons with disabilities in this country. I hope he follows through on the views he expressed on his website during the campaign concerning disabled people.
True and full integration is not easy. It starts with desire and it continues with education. I invite your comments and thoughts on the discussion. Only through enlightened and frank talk can we come to a better understanding of ourselves and each other and eventually attain a real inclusive world.
October 2008, Mastering Change
November 3, 2008 by Mike Hingson · Leave a Comment
ne of the topics on which I speak on a regular basis is Change. I speak about change because it is a regular part of my life just as it is a part of yours. Change can be positive or negative depending on how we choose to react and respond to it. Of course, for me, the most dramatic example of change I have faced was my personal experience during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Another major change for me has been forming The Michael Hingson Group, a new, creative work environment and opportunity to add meaning to my life and the lives of others. For my part, I am excited and grateful for the opportunities and challenges ahead. I appreciate the fact that you are sharing this journey with me.
September brought more changes, personally as well as for our country. Let me first discuss the personal changes in my life and then offer a few comments about some of the changes ahead of us collectively.
As many of you know, in March 2007, my guide dog Roselle retired after seven years of service; she remains my friend, a member of my family and a hero to me and so many others. My sixth guide dog Meryl succeeded Roselle and has been my guide for the past year and a half. Unfortunately, Meryl has not been able to adapt well to the constantly changing demands of my active schedule. Last week, I had to retire Meryl to relieve her from the stress she was exhibiting while guiding.
For any blind person who has to retire a guide dog, the change associated with transitioning from one guide to another is difficult and sometimes can be very traumatic. For my part, I know that retiring Meryl was the best thing that I could do for her. She returned to Guide Dogs for the Blind for a complete evaluation, with the possibility that she be retrained and reissued to another blind person where she can be a better match. Meantime, I eagerly wait to see who my seventh guide dog will be.
The waiting leads me to reflect on the changes I had to face with each new guide dog. Change, obstacles, and opportunities all have choices associated with them. The most basic choice we face whenever we encounter something new is whether or not what is happening to us is positive or negative. Many times our first reaction to any kind of change is a negative one. As we grow and mature we seem to become conditioned to the idea that change is hard, difficult, and something to be avoided at almost any cost.
Most of us are reluctant to embrace the adventures and opportunities that change can offer us. 9-11, certainly one of the greatest tragedies this country has ever faced, brought with it the opportunity to make some very positive changes in our thinking and how we interact with the rest of the world. It is so very unfortunate, I think, that our leaders did not take full advantage of the opportunities to form much stronger international alliances, building on our shared values and goals as the basis for new friendships.
I suggest that whenever we, individually or collectively, face a change we should look beyond the obvious risks to examine the positive aspects and opportunities within the change. Both presidential candidates talk a great deal about change – the need for “something new” in Washington. I agree. I believe the person most likely to bring real change to our country is the candidate who presents change as positive, not driven by fear and negativity.
We should never precipitate change based simply on an emotional reaction, positive or negative. Change needs to be part of a plan for improvement with clear benefits. The goal of change is positive progress. The unifying reality, despite our ideological differences, is that each of us can and should participate in the choice. Our presidential candidates should do more than talk about change. If change is really to occur, then the winning candidate needs to prove to all of us that he knows how to bring about change and that he has a plan to positively manage it.
I could have continued to work with Meryl and it is even possible that I might have been able to work her through her fears and stress. Based on my many years of successful partnership, my prediction for successful was not high. I think her spirit might have suffered greatly in the process. I took the plunge towards change because I was prepared to manage the outcome, to ensure it was positive for both of us. I embrace Meryl’s retirement with joy and with eager anticipation for the future. I suggest that we can usually find a positive aspect to any change, especially when we remained focused on bringing about the greatest good.
Expect to hear soon about the launch of my updated website at www.MichaelHingson.com. Meanwhile, I again ask that if you or someone you know is planning an event that needs a speaker, please refer them to the current website, where my speaking topics can be found. You can also check out my profile under Michael Hingson at http://www.linkedin.com .
In my next letter, I’ll be sharing another one of my speech topics, “ETHICS — THE REAL BOTTOM LINE”. You can anticipate getting a different view of our current mortgage prices than you may have encountered thus far. Stay tuned.
Again, thank you all for your interest and support. Until next time, be well and embrace the concept of change – it may not be as bad as you think.
Warm regards,
Mike Hingson
Michael Hingson
August 2008, Introducing Michael Hingson
November 3, 2008 by Mike Hingson · Leave a Comment
Greetings from the San Francisco Bay Area!
I am writing to ask for your participation and support. As you may know, I have ended my official position as National Spokesperson for Guide Dogs for the Blind on June 30th to pursue my own speaking and consulting business. Toward that end, I am seeking new connections with people interested in finding a unique speaker with a powerful, transformational message for an upcoming organization or company event.
Since my guide dog “Roselle” and I escaped from Tower One of the World Trade Center on 9-11, I have traveled extensively, speaking on topics such as Trust and Teamwork, Safety Preparedness, Handling Change and Diversity. I have found that the audiences of events of all types, such as sales kickoffs, corporate retreats, non-profit fund raisers, graduations and school assemblies, respond to the powerful underlying message of empowerment and overcoming adversity.
You may learn more about my successful speaking experience by visiting www.michaelhingson.com and by reading my profile in LinkedIn.
Last month, I was featured in the first of a two part article about my WTC experiences in a widely circulated newsletter called the DAISY Planet. DAISY Planet promotes technological innovation, empowerment and awareness of accessibility issues. Regarding the July issue of the Planet:
“One of the major highlights in this issue is ‘Your Stories.’ Michael
Hingson’s story is to say the least, utterly amazing…”
The July DAISY Planet is now available at:
http://www.daisy.org/news/newsletters/planet-2008-07.shtml…”
If you are planning meetings or events and are looking for an unforgettable, transformational message to motivate and inspire, I would like to explore the opportunity to work with you. Likewise, please pass my information on to anyone in your personal or professional network who may be interested in finding a keynote speaker.
Thanks in advance for your consideration and assistance. Should you have any questions or want to get in touch please contact me at (415) 827-4084 or info@michaelhingson.com.
Take care. I hope we can talk soon.
Warm regards,
Mike Hingson
P.S. As I launch my new blog site and newsletter, building my online audience, I’ll be looking for positive synergies, interviewing guest speakers who valuable insights to share pertaining to accessibility and inclusion issues as well.
Daisy Planet – Part 1, Michael Hingson: A Life Changed Forever
November 3, 2008 by Mike Hingson · Leave a Comment
“At 9:45, an hour after the plane hit, we finally made it out into sunlight…We were less than a hundred yards from Tower Two. A police officer yelled ‘Get out of here, it’s coming down right now!’ It became this deafening roar. You could hear the glass breaking, the metal ripping apart, things beginning to fall, everyone just turned and ran, no one was helping anyone. I turned 180 degrees and started running back the way I came. Rocks began to fall around us. We kept running. David was long gone, it was just Roselle and me. I heard a voice in my head that said ‘don’t worry about what you can’t control, focus on running with Roselle and the rest will take care of itself’. And I had that sense of peace that if Roselle and I worked together we’d be OK…We started running down Fulton Street, caught up to David! We started running again and were engulfed in that huge dust cloud…we were drowning in it.” He was, of course, running with Roselle.
Michael and Roselle escaped the fall of Tower Two. Hingson’s life was changed forever. It was as a result of his experience that day that Hingson discovered a new vocation in life as an advocate for the blind and the Guide Dogs that help them. When he talks about 9-11 the subject of fear inevitably arises. “The biggest fear that I had was something totally ironic, that suddenly the lights would go out and I’d be confronted by thousands of ‘blind’ people on the stairs who couldn’t walk and go anywhere and find their way out of a paper bag, and I would have been the only one to help them!” That sense of humour cannot be suppressed.
One of the topics Hingson covers in some of his speaking engagements is teamwork, and this incident on the stairs of Tower One must be in the top five examples of teamwork anywhere, any time. And he and Roselle were a team, a very close team. Michael sometimes talks about the team building, something that is so essential, in fact critical, in an ‘owner/Guide Dog’ relationship. Michael explains: “My responsibility is to give her good instructions, her responsibility is to carry them out and get us there safely. It is my responsibility as a member of the team to let her do her job. If she does something I don’t expect, she is doing it for a reason as far as I’m concerned. We both respect each other, we both know what we are doing and we take our jobs seriously. And for me, there’s no better proof of that than 9-11.”
Michael has been a guest on the Larry King Live Show five times, the first very shortly after 9-11, the second on the first anniversary of 9-11. This second interview, Michael Hingson on Larry King Live is still available on YouTube. King asked Michael about his job at the World Trade Center, and Michael told him that he worked for Quantum Storage Solutions Group, managing the New York and New Jersey office. King asked if it was difficult for him to do the job without sight. Michael responded: “No, it was no different for me I think than anyone else, I used different tools but still did the same job. I managed the sales force…I had no problems.”
About information generally Hingson says, “I learned that as a blind person I can function. I can do things in the world just like you can. You use your eyesight to get information, I use alternative methods to get information, but I get the information. And so I can function just like you can function.” About information presented in an audio format he says, “The audio information is extremely valuable to people. And I wish that we would do more to ensure that in everything that we did we would provide that audio information. It will help more than just the low incidence disability numbers of blind people which is about 1.8 million. There are so many other people who would perhaps just remember that one thing that they heard that would help…Most of us see and don’t think about doing it any other way…you will help other people…One sensory modality isn’t enough for any of us.”
About DAISY books, Michael says, “I have been using DAISY books ever since I received my first Victor Classic while delivering a speech to the staff of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic in 2003.” Hingson is now an independent consultant and President of The Michael Hingson Group. One of his customers is Guide Dogs for the Blind which is starting up a project to provide Streams to students and graduates at a greatly reduced price. These Streams will contain a great deal of material including the various lectures, (audio and text copies), all in DAISY format. Hingson is creating the DAISY files. All material which can be converted to DAISY will be in that format. A HumanWare representative (HumanWare is the Victor Stream developer) says this is the first time they have seen the Stream significantly integrated into a curriculum in an educational environment.
One final thought provoking quote from Michael: “Change can be an adventure. You have to be able to move on, to get on with your life, to deal with change in a positive way. You have to be able to cope with change.”
True life-affirmers are a rare breed. Michael Hingson is most definitely a life-affirmer. This is only part of his ’story’, he has much, much more to tell.
The Michael Hingson Group is located in Novato, California. Information on Michael’s speaking topics, his availability, and his consulting services on Diversity and Access Technology for people who are blind or visually impaired is available Michael’s Web site at: http://www.michaelhingson.com.
Afterword – about Roselle
Roselle has been inducted into the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association Hall of Fame, and has received a number of awards for her teamwork with Michael on September 11, 2001. She was awarded the Dickin Medal from Britain for her devotion to duty. The medal is recognized worldwide as “the animals’ Victoria Cross” (in American terms, the animal equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor). Roselle was also awarded the Kennel Club 2002 Ace Award for Service Dog of the Year. Several years ago she developed a blood disorder and took an early retirement. Michael has no proof but is quite certain that the disorder is a result of the toxic fumes and dust she inhaled on that horrendous day in 2001.
REFERENCES:
Michael Hingson’s speech: California Blood Bank Society Convention