Striving towards Excellence

by Karthik Gurumurthy

Few months back in one of the training, my friend Subbu Viswanathan shared how important it is to have attitude of gratitude in our routine. He mentioned that from the time we get up in the morning, it is a good habit to have list 15 things we are thankful for. Once we start the day with that attitude, the day goes well.

It reminds of the story of Captain J. Charles Plumb which I heard few years back. For people who haven't heard about Charles Plumb, Charles Plumb is a decorated US war veteran, a navy fighter pilot. He is an example of the indomitable human spirit. He flew the F-4 Phantom fighter aircraft on 74 successful combat missions over North Vietnam. With five days to go to his return home, on his 75th mission, disaster struck. His plane was shot down. Luckily Captain Plumb managed to eject out of the aircraft and got out with his parachute. That saved his life. Unluckily for him, he was captured and jailed, confined to a tiny cell- 8 feet by 8 feet. He spent about close to 6 years-being tortured and humiliated as a prisoner of ware before he could finally return home.

Captain now spends his time sharing his story with others, helping people discover the strengths they need to tap into to overcome challenges in their own lives. My favorite of his story is set in the earlier part before he suffered six years of misery. Actually several years later the tragedy, Captain was enjoying his dinner when he noticed a gentleman seated few tables away. The other gentleman was staring at him and walked up to him and said. ' You're captain Charles Plumb?'. 'Yes' replied Captain Plumb, standing up and extending his hand in greeting.

'You flew jets fighters in Vietnam. You were on the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down. You parachuted into enemy lands and spent six years as a POW', continued the stranger.

'How in the world do you know all that?' asked Captain.

He replied back quietly saying, 'I was the guy who packed your parachute.'

Captain was left quite speechless, a sense of  shock mixed with awe, even as the man continued with a twinkle in his eye, ' I guess it worked!'

Captain thanked the man again, and again. Later that night, as Captain tossed about in his bed, his mind flashed back to his days as a fighter plilot. He wondered how many times he may have passed by the 'parachute packer' without even acknowledging his presence. He wondered if he ever said 'Good morning!' or 'How are you?' to the man. After all Captain was a fighter pilot and the other guy was just a sailor. He couldn't have cared less.

What did I learn from the above story?

We may not all be fighter pilots but we all have our parachute packers. People who build our safety nets, encourage us, and in their own small ways, make our successes possible. They remain unsung but somewhere inside, you know they made a difference. It could be the teacher from elementary school, your neighbor, your friend's mother, your dad's friend, your mom's colleague who always seemed to have the information you urgently needed..Through life's challenges, through the take-offs and crash landings in your career and life, they were the people who made it possible. When the going get tough, they kept you going. They just did their jobs- but boy they sure made you look good. Who do you turn to when the chips are down? So who is packing your parachute?

Unlike Captain Plumb, we aren't always fortunate enough to come face to face with our parachute packers. So often we don't get the chance to say thank you. Good idea then to think of the parachute packers in your life, and pick up the phone to thank them. Today. Now.

It is also very important to ask the question: Whose parachute are you packing? Who are the people you provide strength and encouragement to? Which people will put your name in the list of folks who made a difference to their lives? Real success and happiness often emerge not from the personal glory of winning but from the joy of having helped someone else win.

And finally, it's hard to miss a trait in Captain Plumb that's the hallmark of all great Leaders. In their biggest triumphs and greatest victories, they always, always turn the spotlight on to the unsung heroes. The ordinary folks who made a difference. The parachute packers.

The next time you are basking in glory, celebrating an accomplishment or receiving an applause, please take a moment to think and thank your parachute packer.