I worked for a while in a small town just outside London.
Every day on my way to the hotel, I passed by a construction site where work was ongoing. Being someone who appreciates construction and has skills in bricklaying and house-building, I struck up a conversation with the skilled brickie whose work was truly lovely.
The mortar lines were perfectly straight and smoothly finished, with each red brick placed meticulously, resulting in a visually pleasing outcome. One day, while he was checking the levels, I decided to stop and talk to him.
Curious, I asked him, “How long have you been a bricklayer?”
“All my life,” he replied. “I love this work, and I take immense pride in what I do. I make sure my worksite is clean and well-organized. I only work for the best companies that give me the time and space to lay every brick straight and true. It’s essential for me to know that I’ve done my very best work every single day. This wall has a special brickwork detail, and I enjoy using the techniques I’ve learned over the years to make that detail stand out.”
We chatted for a bit and we reflected in the high-quality work around us.
A few weeks later, on a damp and grey day, I passed by the same site again. This time, a different bricklayer was working with the same sense of urgency, care, and attention to detail. Intrigued, I decided to ask him the same question.
“I’ve been a bricklayer all my life, but I’m retired now,” he responded.
Curious about his presence on the site, I inquired, “So, what are you doing here?”
“I’m helping to build a community centre,” he said with pride. “There will be a children’s nursery for local families and a day care centre for the elderly to gather, allowing the young and old to interact. Additionally, we’re constructing a hall for local events, a café and a new sports hall. At the back, we’ll have all-weather pitches for football, basketball, and tennis. This place will provide a safe space for the young people in our community to come together, and everyone can contribute to their own community.”
I was struck by the contrast and similarities between these two remarkable individuals. Both were motivated and driven to do their best work, but their motivations differed significantly. One was inspired by the passion for the task itself, while the other was driven by a sense of purpose and mission.
Both motivations seemed to be effective, but it left me wondering how many organizations effectively communicate their mission to fully engage their teams and consistently bring out the best in them.
A community centre
