On Tuesday, we were scheduled to head for the airport at 10:00 am for 10 days in Paris and the French Alps. Stephen was cleaning up the last things around our condo. He went out on our balcony to clean up a ceramic pot that was partially broken during a recent storm. As he lifted the remaining piece, it broke into a million pieces in his hands. One sharp fragment hit his wrist resulting in a severe laceration. Stephen takes coumadin so is a bleeder. He yelled for me to call 911.
Fast forward ... Stephen underwent emergency surgery where they successfully reattached five tendons, repaired the radial artery (was completed severed), and sewed the outer sheath of the medial nerve together. The shard had cut 1/2 to 2/3rds of the way through the nerve. The doctors believe he lost about 30% of his body's blood during the 4 hours from the accident until surgery. After 2.5 days in the hospital, we returned home yesterday. Yes, home sweet home.
Last night, we toasted life. Stephen believes that God wasn't quite ready for him yet (yes, he thought he was not going to make it). We are awaiting to find out what he has in store for our future. Celebrate each day. We never know when it will be our last.
I love this man more than life itself. I promise to demonstrate that love each remaining day we have together!
Joan
Friday, August 22, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
SECONDMENT
We were in Minneapolis on August 5th for a talk and book signing. As we visited with the principals of Navigate Forward (an executive development/transition consultancy), we learned about their intriguing leadership model. They felt that employees have three phases of leadership development: acquiring and developing leadership skills; using that knowledge and skills to drive business success; and, harvesting their leadership knowledge and skills through mentoring, consulting or other knowledge transfer methods. Baby boomers are at that third stage. The question that remains is how do we best impact other leaders to leverage our learnings.
We wrote an article recently on 'Secondment.' We proposed that 'secondment' is detachment from your full-time career position into a more fluid, flexible, non-traditional working arrangement. It is the 'fun' work we do after we officially retire. This work could take place with our previous employer, a new employer, or be a whole new career. Some 'secondment' work will actually involve starting or buying a business. Secondment is a new work phase that spans between our traditional career and 'old age.' With an average boomer life expectancy of 83, this 'secondment' phase might last from 10-25 years. Most 'retiring' boomers have the mental and physical vitality to make good use of these flexible, work options. Yes, boomers will want to control their 'work,' and balance it with other interests (e.g., relationships, leisure activities, wellness, spirituality, and new learning). We are in an 'age of choice.' Make the most of your choices.
We wrote an article recently on 'Secondment.' We proposed that 'secondment' is detachment from your full-time career position into a more fluid, flexible, non-traditional working arrangement. It is the 'fun' work we do after we officially retire. This work could take place with our previous employer, a new employer, or be a whole new career. Some 'secondment' work will actually involve starting or buying a business. Secondment is a new work phase that spans between our traditional career and 'old age.' With an average boomer life expectancy of 83, this 'secondment' phase might last from 10-25 years. Most 'retiring' boomers have the mental and physical vitality to make good use of these flexible, work options. Yes, boomers will want to control their 'work,' and balance it with other interests (e.g., relationships, leisure activities, wellness, spirituality, and new learning). We are in an 'age of choice.' Make the most of your choices.
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