A few years ago, bone fide good guy Richard Smucker (the current co-CEO of Smucker’s and a fourth generation Smucker) found a letter written by his father which sums up in practical terms what it means to appreciate and express gratitude:
–Say “thank you.”
–Listen with full attention.
–Look for the good in others.
–Have a sense of humor.
–William F. Baker and Michael O’Malley, Leading with Kindness: How Good People Consistently Get Superior Results (New York: Amacom, 2008), page 54
I wonder, was there just a generation of men and women in there, about 1950-60, who simply “had their act together” – – – – or is it just that, as I grow older, the stuff I learned from my Dad seems to be just a little better than the advice I from the ‘current sages.”?
Probably it is is just my memory, and the love I hold for that generation – – but I cannot help but wonder. . . . .