Good morning, Team!  It’s Friday!

WARNING:  THIS IS A SHARPEN THE SAW ISSUE.  LEADERSHIP LESSONS MAY BE HARD TO FIND.

This week we took a little time off and bounced around the Black Hills during the 78th Sturgis motorcycle rally.  For those who haven’t made it to a rally, pictures don’t do it justice.

The riding is spectacular because of the weather, no bugs, plenty of landmarks and beautiful scenery.

Like most significant events, the rally draws a lot of people from different walks of life.  Observing or ogling or just people watching combined with each bike a likely reflection of the personality of the rider, it is difficult not to be intrigued by the environment.

As we sat at a local tavern on the main drag in Sturgis with good friends, I couldn’t help but think there were a few basic categories of people attending.  For ease, I labeled the categories; committed, convicted or copy cat.

You might ask, “What makes you an expert?”…I’m not.  I did, however, grow up next to the local chapter president of a prominent motorcycle club.  When they pulled up with their ‘57 Caddy hearse, we thought the neighborhood had gone south.  Truth was Bill and family were great folk and I demystified preconceived notions about them and their lifestyle.  It’s better than simply looking at someone’s shoes, clothes, haircut or teeth to make the judgement.

I’ve been going to the rally off and on over the past twenty years and like most things, some factors change while others stay the same.  Diversity of the crowd is a constant, weather is a moderate variable, how much you enjoy yourself is entirely up to you.

Have a blessed weekend!