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MCCC Blog

Click Here to submit an article for our blog. 
Note: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.

Hard Won Knowledge

9/16/2019

 
PictureKristen R. Cappadona
Project Scientist
H2M Associates, Inc.
Right after college I had a wonderful opportunity to work as a staff member at the Cape Eleuthera Island School in Eleuthera, Bahamas.  Part of my responsibility was to serve as a faculty advisor to high school sophomores and juniors during their study abroad experience. Faculty worked alongside students in the classroom, but also during research, chores and mealtime. It was a close, tight-knit community.

One evening, as my team of students and faculty was finishing up cleaning the school kitchen after dinner, I volunteered to empty the mop bucket. I had to carry one of those familiar yellow, wheeled buckets that we all saw at school. I carried it down six cement stairs (with the mop press scraping my leg) and wheeled it along the gravel walkway to dump the dirty, gray water in the bushes. Flipflops are not recommended footwear for such a task, as I found out, tripped, nearly fell, smashed my knee on the mop press, and dumped disgusting gray water all over my legs and feet. There was only one inch of water and sand left in the bottom of the bucket by the time I made it to the bushes to dump it out.

I stood on the gravel walkway and started crying. I was a world away from home, I missed my friends and family, I was living in a house with no air conditioning and every time it rained, geckos would crawl under my kitchen door…  I was feeling sorry for myself. But I pulled myself together, found my missing wet, slippery, flipflop, dumped the water and walked back into the kitchen with a tear-stained face to help my team finish up our chores and start study hall. 
Later that evening, the head of school sent me a very simple email. It said, “Even when you think no one is watching, someone is always watching. You’re doing great.”  Little did I know that while I was having a small breakdown over spilled mop water, the head of school was watching me out his office window.  
​
That very simple sentence has stuck with me through my professional career.  It serves as a reminder that whether we realize it or not, our bosses, co-workers and staff members are seeing the way we handle our successes and failures. It is a reminder to always bring my best when I walk in the doors to my office: my mindset, attitude and work ethic are contagious and it’s up to me whether I put out a positive or negative vibe. Remember: when you think no one is watching, someone is watching. This adage continues to serve as a reminder to always try to lead by example.  It’s ok to be disappointed or frustrated, but a good leader will remember that colleagues, children, and friends are watching. Use that frustration or disappointment (and always a success!) as an opportunity to implement good problem-solving skills or turn it into a learning experience for all to share. 


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    Please Note: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.

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MCCC+EDC
325 Columbia Turnpike
​​Suite 101
Florham Park, NJ 07932 
​973.539.3882        ​(MAP)  
Mission: The Morris County Chamber of Commerce collaboratively advances the interests of its members to champion a thriving business and community environment.
Vision: Creating member experiences that foster exceptional business success and quality of life.
  • About
    • Chamber Team
    • Our Mission
    • The President's Desk
    • Morris Business Cabinet
    • Board of Directors
    • What Members Are Saying >
      • Share a Testimonial
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Forums & Committees >
      • Committee Chair and Vice Chair Application
      • Ambassadors Council >
        • Ambassadors-Only Resources
      • Business Development Forum
      • Business Strategy & Tactics Forum
      • Environmental & Sustainability Forum
      • Government Affairs
      • Health & Wellness Forum
      • Hispanic Affairs Council
      • Human Resources Committee
      • Not For Profit Roundtable >
        • 2021 NFP Excellence Award Honorees
        • Nonprofit Donations
        • Not For Profit Conference Scholarship App
      • Real Estate Forum
      • Tech Talk Forum
      • Women in Business Program
      • Young Professionals Forum
    • Staff Forms - Internal Use Only
  • Why Join?
    • Join Our Chamber
    • Retail Restaurant Membership
    • Member Benefits
    • The Value of Membership >
      • Grow Your Business
      • Build Your Brand
      • Professional Development & Education
      • Government Advocacy
      • Community Outreach & Volunteering
    • Grand Opening Support
    • Member Marketing Opportunities
    • Enhance Your Directory Listing
    • Member to Member Deals
    • Member Referral Bonus
    • Connect to Morris Job Bank
  • Events
    • Chamber Event Calendar
    • Member Events Calendar
    • 100th Annual Meeting Program
    • Signature Events & Programs
    • Submit an Idea for an Event
  • Find A Member
    • Searchable Business Directory
    • Nonprofit Organizations >
      • Not for Profit Spotlight
    • Professional Services >
      • Accounting, Auditing and Related Services
      • Advertising, Marketing and Related Services
      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Attorneys and Legal Services
      • Architectural, Engineering and Surveying Services
      • Banking and Financial Services
      • Business Consulting and Professional Services
    • Retail, Restaurants, & Service Providers >
      • Arts & Entertainment
      • Auto / Trucks
      • Catering & Food Products
      • Child Care & Day Care
      • Cleaning Services
      • Contractors
      • Decorating & Organizing Services
      • Environmental Services & Recycling
      • Event Planning
      • Farm & Agriculture
      • Fitness & Wellness
      • Health Care
      • Home & Garden
      • Hotels & Conference Centers
      • Moving & Storage
      • Personal Development & Coaching
      • Pet Care
      • Photography & Video Services
      • Restaurants & Bars
      • Retail Stores
      • Senior Care & Related Services
      • Shipping & Delivery
      • Travel & Leisure
    • Higher Education Partners
  • News & Info
    • Member Exchange Online Community
    • Chamber Magazines
    • Coronavirus News
    • Business Resources
    • News Around the Chamber >
      • Submit a Press Release
      • Submit a Neighbors Helping Neighbors Story
    • MCCC Blog >
      • Contribute to Our Blog
    • Chamber Newsletters
    • Social Media
  • Programs
    • Economic Development Corp.
    • Executive Council Program
    • Women in Business Executive Round Table
    • Morris Chamber Toastmasters
    • Mentor Morris
    • Entrepreneur Roundtable
    • Morris Mastermind
    • Leadership Morris >
      • Leadership Morris FAQs
      • Leadership Morris Application
      • Leadership Morris Program
      • Leadership Morris Alumni Council
    • Thrive Morris
    • Work-Based Learning Internship Program
  • MCTV
    • MCCC On-Demand
    • MCTV Let's Talk
    • Actionable Advice Video Library
    • Member Spotlights
  • Member Login