I suppose it should be expected because of my advanced age, but it seems like I’ve lost an awful lot of people in the past couple of years.
I recently traveled to a celebration of life get-together for Hank Brackenbury. I met Hank and Joi back in the early ‘80s and they’re folks I’ve always thought a lot of. Hank was the consummate buckeroo, horseman and rancher but I will always think of him as a person who found value in folks, even when there wasn’t much – as was the case when we met when I was a young and dumb cowboy (I’ve at least gotten past the young part). This thought was expressed by others at the celebration of life as well.
It seems we’re missing this in today’s world.
There’s a plethora of data that shows that even witnessing incivility, not even partaking in it, can harm interpersonal relationships, make people less productive, and make problem solving significantly less likely to happen.
I’ve always been proud of our Association in that we’ve provided for civil discourse for our membership and the folks we do business with, in order to further our mission. We have a long line of officers and presidents who have set the example of positive interactions with folks that we definitely don’t agree with for the benefit of us all. We’re in some tough times and there’s likely more to come but we’ll take every opportunity to engage those that have influence over it.
Hank, you will be missed. Rest in peace my friend.
Jon Griggs | President, NCA