Release

Professor Moore in his 'Role of the CEO' class, gave us the opportunity to have dinner with his co-lecturer and former CEO of Rio Tinto Alcan, Dick Evans, before the start of almost every one of his classes. An interesting way to involve students in discussing various topics with the CEO of such a large organization and not only topics like globalization or professional success, but also concerning the role and so-called limitations of family life.

In life we all have to make choices at a certain point, and usually we make those choices to the betterment of ourselves. The everlasting search for improvement and higher achievements. I wonder what is on one's mind when making these choices, sometimes decisions that can change.. Well, that can change whatever. Consequences. What are they and who are they affecting. Are we aware?

Psychologists and other experts explain how babies live in a world that evolves around them. A "singular" world. Jill Scott sang about 'one' being the magic number. As weeks, months and years pass by, the baby's world is enriched with the presence of mom, dad, maybe siblings. Uncles, aunts, maybe cousins. Other family members, teachers, friends, colleagues and eventually their own family. A small relapse when getting to puberty, where the world is about me, myself and I again, but then you're world gets bigger. You're choices are not only your own anymore. Especially once you have your own kids. I think.

The discussion was about making choices in your professional life with or without you're family in mind. At a certain point I think you're not climbing alone anymore. The others should be able to keep up with the steps you make. And if they can't, are you going to climb alone? Or are adapting your pace? But if you adapt you're pace, at the end of the day, will you be satisfied with your own achievements? Did you push yourself to the limit? Does it really matter though? Is it still your personal progress which makes you happy? Or the progress you make as a whole? And sometimes a choice that seems to the betterment of the individual, will turn out to be good for all after a while. It just needs time.

Oftentimes one will have to make sacrifices. I don't see that as a bad thing. And I wonder if we should call it sacrifices. Merriam Webster defines it as: "Destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else, something given up or lost". It sounds too negative to me. In retrospect sacrifices that have been made by the ones closest to you, could be the ones given them most satisfaction of all.

Times change.
Decisions should change accordingly.
Focus should change accordingly.

Thank you for always putting us first.
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