Have you ever thought about the structure of a brick wall? If you think about it, bricks and mortar work together to get things done, to create a strong and sturdy wall or building. It may sound odd, but consider the bricks and mortar, their individual strengths and weaknesses. Many times I have to remind myself that in the brick wall, the mortar may not be as strong as the brick, but without it the brick wall couldn’t stand. The mortar is what holds it all together. I think people can be like bricks and mortar because it takes all of us working together to hold things together and get things done. We all have different skills. We all contribute in different ways, but without each of us doing what we do, the whole thing falls apart.
I especially love watching people who act like the mortar in our human brick wall. They are the people that are totally selfless, making sure the bricks are organized, held together, and able to accomplish greater things than they might be able to do on their own. It is an apt analogy for one of the concepts I want to write about for this new blog series that focuses on the “Doers” and what they are “Doing.”
One of these “selfless doers” is a man I know, a doctor with more initials next to his name than I can count. His name is Steven G., and I have grown to admire him greatly. I love watching him connect people, putting himself to the side while he goes out of his way to make sure the connection gets sticky enough to accomplish something. He even saves seats for people in a crowded conference just to make sure the right people sit next to each other.
These types of people amaze me because their legacy might not be the major “change the world” initiative that they were involved with, but in reality, whatever that “change the world” idea is, it never would have happened without them.
These “connectors,”––these visionaries––are the real “mortar” people in our human brick wall. Like my friend Steve, they really are the ones that should be celebrated and remembered, because without them the initiatives wouldn’t happen.
But maybe you think if you aren’t the brick, you are not important. Nothing could be further from the truth. You don’t have to be the front person in a cause that you feel is important. Your impact can still resonate. You can support that cause and be the connector or the “mortar” that holds the bricks together. This is a special talent that I want to honor by celebrating Dr Steven G. There will be huge medical breakthroughs in how patients are treated because of him! YEAH!
So, the message is for all of us to recognize our true uniqueness and strengths and apply them where they make sense for you and others. Most importantly, celebrate your wins in your own quiet way––because you know what you’ve accomplished. You might not be on the cover of Forbes or Fortune, but there is a lot of satisfaction in knowing that the person on the cover might not be there without people like you and your unique, incredible and extraordinary talent. Remember, it isn’t just about being the “brick,” its just as important to be the “mortar.”
Onward––
AZ
