2 Things My Mother-in-Law Taught Me about Business

The caterers, band and florists were busy making our wedding reception perfect.  My new mother-in-law (by the way, I call her mom) was orchestrating it masterfully.  My wife and I had been married just a few hours earlier and the reception time was now at hand.  The band was playing in the background, our friends and family were streaming in to greet us.  Some were using the newly constructed dance floor to remember times past.  I even recall looking on the dance floor and seeing my parents floating around in each others arms.  I am the youngest of nine children so it was quite a pleasure to see, what appeared to be, my parents; young and restless and from yesteryear…

As you can imagine the night was memorable and perfect for my new bride and I.  We still, on occasion, pop in our wedding video and recall the joy and wonder of that day those many years ago.  It’s a day that we will always look back on with fondness. 

Fast forward to this past Easter weekend.  My wife and I invited several families to come to our home for a fun Easter celebration.  We planned, purchased food, prepared eggs for coloring, and had TONS of candy.  We set out tables and games for the kids to play and put the dog in the kennel (he likes to steal food from kids).  We cleaned the house and mowed the lawn.  I even caught my wife spraying down the backyard concrete to ensure it was clean as well.  In short, it was a lot of work.  Everyone seemed to have a great time.  When everyone had gone, we looked around to discover a few things (maybe a little sarcasm) to clean up … again.

Our little Easter party was just a small example of the herculean effort required to put on our wedding reception.  Our reception took months to plan and coordinate, of which every little detail was managed by Mom.  She wasn't micro-managing, but rather she was coordinating and creating a tapestry that my wife and I can look back on with fondness.  I’ve since learned that after the event, after the caterers and band and florist and guests had gone, Mom was found (in the wee hours of the next morning) on her hands and knees cleaning the kitchen floors.  So, what did this teach me?  Two major things.

1. There is work to be done, so do it.  Mom didn’t have to be the one to coordinate and arrange everything, including picking a band, but she did.  Mom certainly didn’t need to be the one cleaning up the mess after the event, but she did.  Mom understood and still teaches us that there is work to be done and she does it.  Our reception was just one of the thousands of times that Mom has worked to get things done, not waiting for someone else to do it.  She does it, knowing that she will likely get very little thanks and certainly won’t get rewards or a “raise”.  This is how we should behave at work, regardless of our job title.  Work, simply because there is work to do
2. Do the dirty work and be grateful for it.  The image of Mom kneeling on the kitchen floor that night initially upset me.  WHY?  Why would a catering company leave a kitchen in such disarray?  Weren’t they paid to do a job?  Why didn’t they do it?  Well, Mom taught me that she was and is never above any job.  Be proud of any work and do it well. Mom works, regardless of the task, no matter how dirty.  So, be proud of what you do and enjoy it!  Work is a discipline that few will learn to appreciate and I am convinced that these are the people who figure out what happiness is about. If you met my Mom you'd know why I think hard workers are happy people.

___________________________________________________

DuVall J Laws is the Director of Information Technology at Partners In Leadership. DuVall has managed in the Insurance, Banking, Healthcare and Leadership Training Industries.  DuVall holds a B.S. in Information Systems from Utah Valley University and an M.B.A from the University of Redlands.