It happened earlier this month in Midtown Manhattan.
A motley group of us—mostly strangers—came together on West 49th Street in New York City.
We went there to become part of the disaster public affairs team of the American Red Cross. Our assignment was to supplement the excellent work being done by the local professionals who were already helping those affected by Superstorm Sandy.
We traveled from such faraway places as Anchorage, Chicago, Boston, California, Colorado, the Carolinas, Kansas City, Dallas, Seattle, Pensacola, Las Vegas and even Canada.
The miracle, if you will, was that such a diverse group could come together so quickly to form a cohesive, productive team. In the midst of the disaster relief efforts, our team overcame sizable obstacles and produced impressive results.
As I reflect upon what happened, I realize that our “miracle on 49th Street” can be attributed to the following factors:
- Mission. First, we were united because we shared a sense of purpose. We knew why we were there, and we instinctively understood how public affairs must always be an essential part of any disaster relief operation.
- Vision. We envisioned what success would look like before we actually set out doing our work. We had a vision—a clear picture—of what we could do together: share information, tell stories, engage people in conversations and serve as the operation’s eyes and ears on the ground
- Organization. Early on, we created an organizational chart and then revised it several times. We organized ourselves according to levels of experience, professional skills and areas of interest. This structure helped to make sure that “all the ducks were flying in the same direction and in the proper formation.” Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Duane Hallock 
I communicate with passion and purpose to inspire those searching for beauty and truth.
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