Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

Ok. I’m officially in Manhattan often enough that people recognize me in the headquarters foyer, at Starbucks, at the hotel and local restaurant.

This latest trip was to discuss our division budget submission for next year. We were promised at the beginning of the meeting it would not be a colonoscopy. Whew! … Wait a minute, at least they put me under for my last procedure. What did he mean? Who cares?
Blood pressure? … normal.

We were asked by the end of the meeting with the pre-submitted numbers to do more, a lot more. I love a challenge. Bring it. At the end of the meeting, with clarity through directive, my boss’ boss sitting next to me said in his hush-toned voice, “We need to grow Power”. I simply responded, “Understood.”
Blood pressure? … still normal.

They had a tragedy in Hoboken Thursday with New Jersey Transit so I decided to take Uber to Newark to get out of town. I didn’t get excited about the phone blowing up with delays from the three different apps telling me to hurry up and wait, didn’t even leave the office until after the original flight was scheduled to leave. Stop-n-go traffic, multiple flight delays, a TSA pre check gate that never opens, incredibly tight quarters in planes. I am fluid, multi-modal.
Blood pressure ?… normal.

Who have I become?!

Numb to the world’s stimulants that normally overwhelm the senses?
Let’s do an inventory-
•The steak, the whiskey, and the mousse still tasted good.
•The honey roasted nuts, the “everything” bagel and the real NY pizza all smell just as good as the subway smells funky.
•The lights are still bright, the rain and breeze still cut through my suit and I can hear every other pedestrian cuss, complain, or some who even scream at the roses in front of the Italian restaurant across from Penn station…not a typo, just another New Yorker.

OK, I still have feelings.

I no longer look up to see how tall the buildings are, I don’t look down at the countless homeless and I don’t make eye contact with the people walking toward me.
The police, ambulance and firetruck sirens are continuous making it difficult to have a cell phone conversation on the street (and sometimes even in the office). I am insulated by my surroundings. I have become acclimated – and remember what old blue eyes sang – “If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere, New York, New York!”

I do feel proud of my growing Team’s resilience. I do look at Freedom tower and unconsciously push out my chest. I do tell myself we will never forget and we won’t be intimidated by … anything.

Have a blessed weekend!