Pairs

Ever think of the value of pairs? Pairs not pears. I recently did. I was asked to be a guest facilitator at a Bible study class. The verses came from the Book of Mark and it talked about Jesus sending the disciples out two by two ‘to spread the Word’.

So, I studied why two by two? Couldn’t they have reached more people if they went out individually?

And in life, how important is it that we take on challenges with another by our side? A wing-man so to speak? What would one be without the other? Could they accomplish as much? Reach as many goals?

Think about all the instances where you might need two people to accomplish a task. Couples on ‘Dancing with the Stars”? A pitcher and a catcher? A quarterback and a receiver? Walt Disney had incredible vision but was said not to be much of a businessman. His brother, Roy Disney admitted he had minimal vision but was gifted with business acumen. Would the Disney brand be what it is today without both men using their gifts?

How else might they have helped one another? Did they strengthen and encourage one another at times when they were distressed? Did they provide the other comfort during rejection? Did they give each other discernment which allowed them to make fewer mistakes? Could they stir the other to action when they were idle or maybe just a little lazy that day?

One of my roles now is to serve as an Executive Coach. I work with CEO’s and senior leaders and in many cases, I think I fill the role of Walt or Roy Disney with them. I try to listen, guide, assist, empathize, encourage, motivate, inspire, teach and advise.

There is an old African proverb that says “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. I think this one proverb sums it for me. We were meant to have a partner in our journey. This could be a spouse, friend, peer, or even a coach like me. That person can help us achieve so much more than when we try to make it on our own.

Thanks for reading this.

By the way, just for the fun of it. I tried to think of key pairs. Here are a few:

Bert and Ernie, Tarzan and Jane, Jack and Jill, Hansel and Gretel, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, Lucy and Desi, Simon and Garfunkel, Sears and Roebuck, Mork and Mindy, Barnum and Bailey, Abbott and Costello, Abercrombie and Fitch, Adam and Eve, Lewis and Clark, Thelma and Louise, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, Wile E Coyote and Road Runner, Beanie and Cecil, Bogie and Bacall, Black and Decker, Starsky and Hutch and for my kids, Beavis and Butthead.

There are hundreds more, but the point is that we can take on the challenge of life alone or with someone alongside to help. I vote for the help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

With a goal to “help the next one in line”, Glen Cavallo, a 30+ year healthcare executive has chosen to share the many lessons he has learned with others. Glen does this by serving as a coach/advisor to leaders at all levels of organizations, as a board member and as he presents inspirational speeches at regional, national, annual and awards meetings.