HOMEGROWN: I Have Had It!
While there are many directions to go with “it,” I choose the following one for now.
As far back as I can remember, I have understood and practiced the policy of working with people who are smarter than I.
Starting in kindergarten and throughout early education, I had teachers who were smarter than I. I learned the basics — first how to count, later percentages to demonstrate growth and loss patterns. They taught me how to read and spell and, eventually, how to pronounce multisyllabic words.
I learned to listen, question, use a dictionary, do research and doublecheck my facts. More importantly, I learned to share with my classmates, respect them and, when I didn’t live up to those principles, the principal had me face the consequences. I knew discipline was coming because I knew better.
In college, I learned from advanced scholars who had done deep research. They shared wisdom, complex theories, results from experiments launched decades before and up to the present. My business thrived because I sought out the best communicators, designers, problem-solvers, artists, manufacturers and bookkeepers!
Reviewing this past month, I made a list of people in my life who are smarter and more experienced than I. I recognize their talents and expertise.
The local company that replaced the sewer line to my house completed an engineering study, reviewed city codes, scoped digitally, dug around utility lines and old sewer hook-ups; they operated a ditch-digger, a cement mixer and some kind of crazy machine that packed dirt and asphalt back into place. And that is just a surface description. Never once did it cross my mind to ask my brother and his friends to do this work. They are smart and strong but not sewer experts.
Also this month, experts rotated my tires. My doctor reviewed my scans. A hygienist cleaned my teeth. My front yard had its sod removed and was redesigned to be planet-friendly. I bought bread and pastries from master bakers. Two of the best — one in-house and one out-house — prepared my taxes. I played music with musicians who play better than I.
I also met with experts in local history, the U.S. constitution, state regulations affecting homeless policy, Iranian history, economic development, musical performance and natural dying processes, plus an investment team and two published authors.
I am in awe of our local resources. Surely at the national level there is a similar pool of talent to draw upon. Can’t we choose the smartest, most experienced people so we can all sleep better at night and wake up to do our best work, here and abroad?
Julie Fulkerson has a sticker on her violin case, “I play violin better than the President runs this country.” She knows this is not bragging.
Email: Juliefulkerson@mac.com.
