Before I got cancer last year, I thought someone goes through radiation and/or chemo and tumor removal, and then you’re done.
Now I know, after my tumor was removed last July, every four months I have what my wife refers to as “mini heart attacks”, follow-up scans of my chest.
Because I had a specific type of sarcoma, I’m at risk of the cancer returning in my lungs.
As you can imagine these scans are nerve wracking because if the tumor does spread to my lungs, my 5-year survival is less than 20%.
When I had my last scan, I had a memorable experience.
After my name was called, the CT technician welcomed me back and was making witty jokes from the start.
He asked if I had any metal implants.
When I shared that one collar bone has plates around it because it’s shattered, he immediately asked, “What crazy thing were you doing on a bike”.
Ironically, that’s exactly how I broke my collarbone.
Throughout the scan, he added levity making the experience easier.
At the end of the scan, I thanked him for adding humor as these post-surgery scans were nerve-wracking.
What totally surprised me was he said, “I know, so I do whatever I can to make it easier for patients.”
He knew the challenges and anxiety I was facing, and took action to help.
Also fortunately, the scan was clean so the tumor had not spread to my lungs (phew).
What I’ve come to realize with our clients, is most teams and organizations are focused almost solely on survival. Team members don’t often take the time to understand the challenges of others as they often are consumed with their own obstacles.
But what has struck me, is if team members take the time to genuinely understand the challenges others are facing and (this is the key part) offer to help address those challenges. Something magical happens.
Helping another person thru their challenges, can motivate both people involved.
Behaviorally, helping others releases both dopamine and oxytocin, unlocking both the reward and connection pathways at the same time.
When we did our research for our leadership model, we found that organizations that repeatedly achieved incredible results and people happily worked hard, regularly focused on helping others to improve and address challenges.
The goal was if each person improves, this helps the broader organization achieve more.
With our Enluma AI platform, this is a key element for both peer collaboration and leading direct teams. Participants get 360 feedback strengthening how the lead peers or direct reports and then an AI coach can help to build an action plan, including how to help peers more effectively navigate their challenges.
Reflecting back on the CT technician, he took action to help me not just that morning but for the rest of the day. I was able to navigate the day with less anxiety and more clarity.
Now imagine if leaders at any level in an organization, also looked to help other address challenges. Not from a place of weakness. But rather to help each other become more. So the team can achieve more.
This is the exact impact we intend to have with Enluma AI.
If you’d like to activate yourself or your team, you’re in the right place. Go to our homepage (www.enlumagroup.com) and click on “Sign Up”