Remember who you are and what you stand for

I am very excited about giving my niece Paola a scrapbook with little sayings and notes. This post fro Amy Anderson's blog contains the underline theme of my scrapbook so I felt it would be fitting that I share it here too.

"All through my growing up years as I would run out the door of our home, my mother would yell the phrase “Remember who you are and what you stand for”.  I would guess I have heard that phrase literally thousands of times as a child.  Most days she said it I would roll my eyes like a typical teenager, but now that I am an adult I have truly come to appreciate the import of that one little phrase, “Remember who you are and what you stand for.”  Today is my last official day as the CEO of MediConnect Global... I can’t think of any better phrase to leave them with as I am walking the door than the one my mother always said to me:

“Remember who you are and what you stand for.”

Anytime there are significant changes occurring in a company, like being acquired and changes amongst leadership teams, there is the potential for the corporate culture to be impacted.  My challenge and request to my entire team at MediConnect is to not let their corporate culture change.  Remember the values that made us the amazing company that we have become today:

• Integrity (honesty at all times and in all places- do what is right, let the consequence follow, no exceptions)
• Respect (to everyone, everywhere, without exception)
• Positive and Optimistic Attitude (be happy, be nice, and for heaven’s sake SMILE!)
• Dependable / Trustworthy  (do what you say, live what you believe)
• Flexible / Adaptable to Change   (embrace the challenges, overcome your fears)
• Open to & Implement Feedback
• Going the Extra Mile (for coworkers, for clients, for shareholders)
• High Performance / High Production (give 100% everyday)
• Knowledgeable (know the company, know the industry, know the client, know your importance to the success of the organization)

Those values, while they may seem so simple, are far too often not followed by other companies.  But with MediConnect we haven’t just followed them, we have lived them.  They are part of our very core.  And as each of us have seen the benefits that our culture brings to our people, our clients, our families, and ourselves, by living these values, we have become incredibly protective of making sure that nothing will take away from our culture, and that no one will try and damage it.  Being able to come to work every day to an office where there were no politics and undercutting of people trying to get ahead of each other, where there wasn’t the gossip or backbiting or being disrespectful to one another, where there was a genuine feeling of support and love and a group of coworkers and leaders who truly wanted to see each other succeed – that is a tremendous blessing, and that is a culture that brings out the very best in people. That kind of a culture allows you to become the very best self that you can possibly be and it allows companies to thrive and flourish.  It is amazing to be a part of that kind of culture.

And so as this will be a time of change for MediConnect, I am challenging each of the employees to please “Remember who you are and what you stand for.”  Protect your culture.  Don’t ever forget that those values are what make you so successful.  Those values are what make you better people, both in your careers, in your family lives, and in society as a whole.  If there are those who come in that don’t uphold the culture, you let them know why that is not okay and why you personally won’t allow them to drag you down.  Share with them the importance of living those values from your own experience.  The culture can only change if you allow it to.  You have the power to uphold it, especially when you stand together.    Remember that a rising tide lifts all boats.  You are that rising tide and as you uphold your values and stand up for what is right you can be the examples that will teach others how to rise to your level.  Don’t ever let yourself get sucked down into things that aren’t right or would cause you to go against your values, instead, you be the force that lifts all others up to where you stand today.  You stand as the very best company to work for in MediConnect.  Stay there.  Stand firm.  Uphold the values.  Always.

I love you so very much.  I am so incredibly proud of all of you.  Finally, I trust each of you to remember who you are and what you stand for, at all times, in all places.  Remember, you are my legacy…"

MCG FOREVER!

Always,

Amy

 My niece Paola deserves to know of these values as she moves away to college. Amy Anderson is probably the best role model for young women in the world.