I vividly remember 9/11. I’m sure you do, too.
I didn’t own my businesses yet. I was a corporate executive.
That morning, one of my team members came into my office to suggest I go into the conference room.
Staff members were upset that a plane hit a building in New York.
We were in Michigan.
I was confused but walked down the hall to see what was happening.
As I entered the conference room, people pointed to the TV with concern on their faces.
In that moment, I asked what was going on just to witness the second plane hit the tower.
Although I saw LIVE TV on the news screen, I asked if this was live or a recording of what just happened.
Not one person responded.
Stunned silence.
Everyone was processing.
In that moment realizing I just witnessed the second plane going through the Trade Center Tower in New York.
I turned my eyes to the conference window, wondering if there were more planes coming our way.
I remember looking at the sky, listening intently for an airplane engine.
I was responsible for thousands of employees across the state wondering what to do next.
I was lost for words.
Lost in what to do.
Lost in the unbelievability of it.
In that moment, I felt vulnerable.
Scared.
Confused.
The weight of the event hit me like a ton of bricks.
It took days and weeks of navigating the unknown.
Listening to the deafening silence as all air traffic ceased.
Collectively, our vulnerability was revealed.
And, in that vulnerability…
we grieved.
we honored heros.
we persevered.
We were strengthened in many ways.
I was strengthened in many ways.
And, collectively, we were changed.
Forever.
As leaders, let us remember…
our humanness to adapt,
our power to overcome, and, most importantly,
our capacity to be better than we were yesterday.
Each circumstance allows us to learn
if we choose to learn the lesson.
By: Lisa Mininni
Lisa Mininni is President of Excellerate Associates and Founder, Business Innovation Lab CoWorking & Conference Center.
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