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An entire company rallies behind an ill employee
By Marilyn Singh Compassionate leadership is an integral part of our vision at Vision Coaching. Our Vision Statement reads: “A world that values and is transformed by creative, compassionate, resilient leaders.” Compassionate leadership does indeed transform the world – I was overwhelmed when I experienced it first hand, in New Mexico last month. While in Artesia, New Mexico recently, to complete the final two days of training for this year’s leadership certificate program for PVT, I received a call from the CEO telling me that a lady who had been an employee of PVT had passed away and that the training day I had scheduled on Friday would have to be cancelled. The funeral would be Friday and the office would be closed so that everyone could go to the funeral. That alone impressed me. It was just the beginning of an amazing story of compassion and care. Sharon Smith was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago. The employees of PVT rallied around her. Her best friend, also a PVT employee, organized rides for her to all of her medical appointments and treatments. PVT employees could sign up for the various appointments. The company gave them the time to take her to these appointments. As her illness continued, she ran out of sick days. The company allowed eager employees to transfer their own sick days to Sharon. They continued until she was eligible for retirement. She did not have any break between and therefore continued to have an income. Yesterday was Sharon’s funeral. The service was a graveside funeral at 10am. A few of the leaders picked me up in one of the PVT trucks. As we approached the cemetery it was quite a site to see all of white trucks lined up along the road leading in to the graveyard. By the time the family arrived both sides of the road were lined with many PVT vehicles. Just past the gates PVT employees stood lining the road in honour guard formation. All eight of the pall bearers were PVT employees. They came dressed in blue jeans and black PVT shirts and cowboy boots. Very impressive, very respectful. Following the ceremony all present were invited back to PVT for lunch. The employees had organized a pot-luck lunch under the direction of one of the leaders. They served 165 lunches! The staff also put together a very lovely slideshow with memories of Sharon and some of the funny and precious emails and cartoons that she had sent to various employees over the years. The impact of the compassionate leadership at PVT touched a whole community. Brought healing and comfort to family members spread across the region. It sent a loud, clear message to employees that they can make a difference and that they really matter! I cried many tears at a funeral for an amazing, very loved woman who I have never met. I was so touched by the show of compassion and love. There is no way to describe how powerful this was. Seeing the world transformed by compassion is quite the sight!
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