Comments on: Replicating Greatness http://www.chriscrimmins.com/2009/03/04/replicating-greatness/ Advancing the Art of Construction! Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:53:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Ron http://www.chriscrimmins.com/2009/03/04/replicating-greatness/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Ron Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:16:38 +0000 http://www.chriscrimmins.com/?p=68#comment-22 Chris, As I hinted at in my comment yesterday I am really impressed by the overall idea you are posting; that people in the building trades can (and hopefully are) accepting a greater responsibility for the work (and I mean this beyond the basic ideas of craftsmanship and responsibility though not everyone even honors that!). I was, at one point in my life, involved in the restaurant business. We had team meetings every afternoon including front and back of the house staff (basically management, cooks and servers). We used these meetings to go over menu and management issues but also to center ourselves as a cohesive team. It was normal for us to re-affirm everyday that actually our job was to feed people both physically and in many respects spiritually. I know that it was odd for some of the staff to be reminded of it every day but I found it essential to make it clear that our attitudes, feelings and mood (our presence) was being transformed into food. That if we were disturbed, angry, distracted or agitated it would in some subtitle (or not so subtitle) way become part of a diner’s meal. I can see this in the science of creating spaces for people to live in as well. The form defines the function, yes, but the attitude of the designers, origin of the materials and "presence" of the craftsmen all become ingrained in the final work. For a space to really be great all of these aspects must be lined up. That tells me that Replicating Greatness is the mindfulness of this understanding guided by the leader, contractor or conductor. Because it really counts. You, as the leader, are responsible for all of these aspects. Your team will follow you and pay attention to these details only so much as you do. That is only natural. I applaud you. Because even thinking this way is a tremendous step toward transforming all work into a demonstration of pride, excellence and, well, GREATNESS. My hats off to you Chris, keep up your effort and your pursuit of this important work. R Chris,
As I hinted at in my comment yesterday I am really impressed by the overall idea you are posting; that people in the building trades can (and hopefully are) accepting a greater responsibility for the work (and I mean this beyond the basic ideas of craftsmanship and responsibility though not everyone even honors that!). I was, at one point in my life, involved in the restaurant business. We had team meetings every afternoon including front and back of the house staff (basically management, cooks and servers). We used these meetings to go over menu and management issues but also to center ourselves as a cohesive team. It was normal for us to re-affirm everyday that actually our job was to feed people both physically and in many respects spiritually. I know that it was odd for some of the staff to be reminded of it every day but I found it essential to make it clear that our attitudes, feelings and mood (our presence) was being transformed into food. That if we were disturbed, angry, distracted or agitated it would in some subtitle (or not so subtitle) way become part of a diner’s meal.
I can see this in the science of creating spaces for people to live in as well. The form defines the function, yes, but the attitude of the designers, origin of the materials and “presence” of the craftsmen all become ingrained in the final work. For a space to really be great all of these aspects must be lined up.
That tells me that Replicating Greatness is the mindfulness of this understanding guided by the leader, contractor or conductor. Because it really counts. You, as the leader, are responsible for all of these aspects. Your team will follow you and pay attention to these details only so much as you do. That is only natural.
I applaud you. Because even thinking this way is a tremendous step toward transforming all work into a demonstration of pride, excellence and, well, GREATNESS.
My hats off to you Chris, keep up your effort and your pursuit of this important work.
R

]]> By: Kevin http://www.chriscrimmins.com/2009/03/04/replicating-greatness/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Kevin Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:57:40 +0000 http://www.chriscrimmins.com/?p=68#comment-21 Great stuff Chris. I have a lot to learn about being a leader that can replicate greatness. Since I am still in school, I don't think much about this. All that I worry about is if I am developing the skills and disciplines that will enable me to succeed on the job. Your post reminds me that the "how" matters as much or even more than the "what" in what we do! Thanks. Great stuff Chris. I have a lot to learn about being a leader that can replicate greatness. Since I am still in school, I don’t think much about this. All that I worry about is if I am developing the skills and disciplines that will enable me to succeed on the job. Your post reminds me that the “how” matters as much or even more than the “what” in what we do! Thanks.

]]> By: Calum Maclean http://www.chriscrimmins.com/2009/03/04/replicating-greatness/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Calum Maclean Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:41:58 +0000 http://www.chriscrimmins.com/?p=68#comment-20 Chris, I love what you are saying. I had a terrible experience in California with a contractor but I took a lot away from it. If only he had an attitude like yours. With your work ethic and by reaching out the way you are you are going to do very well for yourself. Have you ever read pillars of the earth by Ken Follett? Keep up the god work. Chris, I love what you are saying. I had a terrible experience in California with a contractor but I took a lot away from it. If only he had an attitude like yours.
With your work ethic and by reaching out the way you are you are going to do very well for yourself.
Have you ever read pillars of the earth by Ken Follett?

Keep up the god work.

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