Musings 
No Comments Judgments Harnessed
September 11, 2001
I was angry, bitter, resentful, confused, and exhausted as I walked the aisles of the Bangkok Gem & Jewelry Show.
My company was providing site and transport security for the precious goods at the bi-annual show.
The Bangkok Gem & Jewelry Show is one of the largest international exhibitions and markets for diamonds, precious gems, and gold and silver jewelry. Tens of thousands of dollars are spent by the jewelry merchants on elaborate booths and display areas to attract the international buyers. Hundreds of millions of dollars of jewelry is on display and for sale.
In the 12 hours preceding my walk down the aisle I had been glued to CNN watching the horror of the attacks and collapse of the World Trade Center buildings.
Disbelief and confusion turned to anger. As a former military man I wanted to don my flight suit, strap-on my bomber, and deliver punishment to those responsible. But who? The perpetrators were not members of any nations’ formal military. America had not been attacked by a nation. This made it difficult to channel my anger. Foolishly I let the anger, resentment, and desire for ‘payback’ build.
PIO (Pilot Induced Oscillation): PIO is a condition where the appropriate aircraft response is compromised due to repeated overcorrections by the pilot. This can result in temporary or total loss of control of the aircraft.
By the time I arrived at the Gem & Jewelry Show I was bitter and judgmental. Walking the aisles between the elaborate and expensive booths my unexpressed thoughts were, “How ridiculous! The ‘real world’ had just changed and all these people are scurrying about hawking bangles that have no utility or relevance to events of the day – the ‘real world’.”
Dutifully I assisted my staff to perform our contracted security services. All the while the resentment of what I perceived to be ‘the ridiculous’ was growing – a developing PIO. My judgments were critical of supporting wasting tons of money and energy in marketing hyper-expensive useless merchandise. I was demanding a meaning and aggressive response.
In mid-morning an important client came to discuss my company’s services. Again dutifully, I put on my ‘game-face’ and accorded him appropriate respect and courtesy. This man was concerned about his business and how he might improve his products and service to his international buyers. My company’s timely and secure transport services were important to his customers.
At some point in our discussion waves of new thinking began to wash over me. Slowly I began to see this gentleman and his colleague gem and jewelry merchants as partners in a process of bringing beauty and joy to others. The hyper-expensive useless jewelry that I formerly claimed to be irrelevant was most often given in celebration of achievement, appreciation, or love. These certainly were not irrelevant ‘end-results’.
Intentionally I coached my judgments and resentments to turn to appreciation. The world does have horror, ugliness, and tragedy. It became clear to me that if I focus on these my ability to see beauty is severely diminished. In this diminished capacity I am less resourceful to take helpful contributing actions or support others who are.
The events of 9/11 in New York were a tragedy by every measure. For me in Bangkok, the personal insights that I realized and nurtured that day, have aided me to stay more resourceful in dealing with personal and organizational crises. When a crisis or tragedy stimulate anger, resentment, or judgment to strike I work to see the ‘biggest picture’ and move toward resourcefulness.
I also work to teach this on the sports’ field and in my business operations. It’s always a challenge – but a worthy one. Do I always get it right? Heck no! But I practice – and practice makes better.
The intention is not to ‘feel better’ but to give opportunities for better results – in my experience it always does both.
Question & Challenge: When in your experience have you been in a PIO or have been derailed by anger, resentment, or judgment?
What was the outcome?
Describe a different outcome had you converted these corrosive feelings to more resourceful ones.
