WHAT MOTIVATES YOU. . .

As a thought-partner one of the questions I offer for reflection is: When you make an important decision, what motivates you?

In 1996 I had the privilege of spending the day with Bill T. At that time Bill T. owned at least six companies. These companies were recognized as some of the best to work for. In addition to owning these companies, Bill T. and his wife had also begun a foundation. Their foundation only awarded grants to serving organizations or small businesses located within a specific region of our country. Bill and his wife wanted their foundation’s wealth to positively impact the local communities. For a number of reasons I was provided the opportunity to spend a day with Bill T. – we spent our time mostly in searching conversations.

We spent the morning sitting in his office which was located in a large remodeled barn. The barn also was home to a museum. The museum contained historical items from all of the current and past companies that Bill, his father, or his wife’s father had owned. It was one way Bill T. and his wife honored the many employees who had contributed –and were contributing – to the success of these companies. To put it simply, Bill T. was rich beyond rich. Money, yes, but so much more.

Bill T. and I had been in conversation for about two hours when I offered him the following question: ‘Bill, when you make a decision, what motivates you?’ Bill T. was a thought-full person and I had already experienced his rhythm of reflecting before speaking. However, he caught me off-guard for he smiled, his eyes moistened and he quickly responded with: ‘If my decision is not rooted in love then I don’t make it!’ Talk about giving one pause.

Bill T. continued. He told me that on his 34th birthday (he was now 75) he was shaving in the morning and as he was shaving he happened to look deeply into his own eyes. He said the following words came pouring out of his mouth: ‘Bill T. all you are is rich and greedy; isn’t there anything else to you?’ He then went on a two year journey inward. He emerged from his journey making a number of commitments – one of these was to always make a decision rooted in love and if it was not rooted in love he would not make it. After he told me this story he smiled again and said that as a result he was richer than ever (money, yes, but so much more).

Bill T. was happy not because of his money but because of his love. He had committed to love as his primary motivator. Love was the force that propelled him forward. Love was the force that drove him. Love was the force that called him to serve so that others grew in healthy ways.

A Buddhist name comes to my mind: ‘Anathapindika’ – the one who helps those who are poor, lonely, and destitute in body, mind, and spirit. Bill T. was full of loving kindness and compassion; he was ‘Anathapindika’. He had learned how to love and all who were touched by his love were richer (in so many ways) as a result. Bill T. was also loved by those he served. I experienced this first hand. Spontaneously, Bill T. picked up the phone and made a call. Within an hour we took a short walk to a large room that was set up for lunch. There were place settings for 14 folks.

Each of the six companies were sending two folks to join us for lunch. The folks who joined us represented all ‘levels’ of these organizations (only one person was an executive). Bill T. stood by the door and welcomed each person with a hug – and hugs were delivered by each person in return. Smiles and tears flowed freely. Bill T. welcomed each person by name and he asked specific questions of each person – often personal questions. Love permeated the room. After we had settled in and had been served lunch Bill announced that he had a question for each of us to reflect upon and if we so chose to respond to. He paused and smiled and asked: When you make a decision, what motivates you? He paused again, smiled broadly, and turned to me: We will begin with inviting Richard to reply first.