The Price Of Showing Up (The Friday Ficks S6 E28)

They came in droves, leaflets in hand, knocking on doors throughout my neighborhood.

Each leaflet urged my neighbors to "tell Carl Ficks to do what's right" and "urge him to lend a helping hand to caregivers and patients." Front and center was the detail guaranteed to get attention - my home telephone number.

Why?

Because I had the privilege of serving on a nonprofit board.

No paycheck. No perks. No personal gain. No fanfare. Just an opportunity to give back.

President John F. Kennedy once reminded us that America "requires a good deal of all of us." Nonprofit board members answer that call every day, investing their time, judgment and experience to strengthen the communities they call home.

And despite the occasional leaflet campaign, I would invite you to consider doing the same.

In addition to your community benefitting, board service refines leadership in ways few experiences can. You navigate competing priorities. You wrestle with difficult decisions. You manage conflict, uncertainty, and accountability. You sharpen your judgment and strengthen your emotional intelligence.

If you choose to serve, expect criticism.

If you choose to lead, expect resistance.

Neither is evidence that you're on the wrong path. In fact, it may be evidence that you're doing work that matters.

Those leaflets disappeared long ago. What remains is a simple truth: the people who make a difference are rarely the ones watching safely from the sidelines.

There is a price for showing up.

There is a far greater price for not showing up at all.

Choose to show up.

Own the day. Own the weekend.

Carl