Not So Simple Any More

When I started at ERC nearly thirteen years ago, we had a very small and young staff. I was the only employee married with a child. For our staff back then, life was pretty simple – for the most part it was work hard and have fun.

Last Friday we had our annual ERC Holiday family function with a visit from Santa. I looked around the room and it was filled. Children were everywhere and our staff has grown substantially. It has been pretty cool to watch many of our employees get married, buy houses, have children and expand their life outside of work.

I also recognize that with the passage of time comes responsibility for family and household for all of our employees. Those employees I hired as interns so many years ago are finding out that life is not simple anymore. As we know, some of what life throws at you is great, sometimes not so great. How people manage life outside of work often impacts their ability to perform on the job.

I marvel at how resilient people are at ERC and at so many other organizations we engage. Notwithstanding complexities of personal life, most people show up day in and day out to work and work hard. Whether it is battling a recent snowstorm or returning to work after the loss of a loved one, top performing people seem to just keep delivering no matter the circumstances.

As we approach the holidays, it provides an opportunity to take a step back and truly appreciate Northeast Ohio workplaces and those that make them tick. Often we are reminded to count our blessings and for sure there are many to be counted. At ERC we are blessed to provide support to so many organizations in our region, and thank you for that opportunity.

Wishing you peace and simplicity during the holidays and New Year.

- Pat

 

When I started at ERC nearly thirteen years ago, we had a very small and young staff.  I was the only employee married with a child.  For our staff back then, life was pretty simple – for the most part it was work hard and have fun.

Last Friday we had our annual ERC Holiday family function with a visit from Santa.  I looked around the room and it was filled.  Children were everywhere and our staff has grown substantially.  It has been pretty cool to watch many of our employees get married, buy houses, have children and expand their life outside of work.

I also recognize that with the passage of time comes responsibility for family and household for all our employees.  Those employees I hired as interns so many years ago are finding out that life is not simple anymore. As we know, some of what life throws at you is great, sometimes not so great.   How people manage life outside of work often impacts their ability to perform on the job.

I marvel at how resilient people are at ERC and at so many other organizations we engage.   Notwithstanding complexities of personal life, most people show up day in and day out to work and work hard.  Whether it is battling a recent snowstorm or returning to work after the loss of a loved one, top performing people seem to just keep delivering no matter the circumstances.

As we approach the holidays, it provides an opportunity to take a step back and truly appreciate Northeast Ohio workplaces and those that make them tick.  Often we are reminded to count our blessings and for sure there are many to be counted.  At ERC we are blessed to provide support to so many organizations in our region, and thank you for that opportunity.

Wishing you peace and simplicity during the holidays and new Year.

Pat

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