JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Speaking to a crowd of 800 Air Force medics from the 779th Medical Group, 579th Medical Group and 79th Medical Wing Monday at the base theater, author Mark Sanborn dared to ask the question, "What kind of a difference do you make?"
In his bestselling book, "The Fred Factor," Mr. Sanborn talks about his postman Fred who is extraordinary. Col. Robert Miller, 779 MDG commander, read the book and applied its principles at Malcolm Grow Medical Center as a positive peer factor incentive program.
"If you are passionate in your work and life, you can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary," Mr. Sanborn said.
The author, whose father was an Air Force officer, said he visited the medics to express his appreciation for the U.S. military, and the men and women who serve. Further, he came because leaders at MGMC use "Fred Factor" to provide positive peer recognition for people who do an extraordinary job. "That is very gratifying to me ... when an organization uses those ideas that I write and speak about to improve service levels and leadership."
"We received an email from Capt. Melinda Williamson that said Colonel Miller used the Fred Factor book and talked a little bit about the program," Mr. Sanborn said. "She said he was a fan of my work and said if I was ever in the area it would be wonderful if I would come by for a visit. With my regard for the Air Force and the appreciation they had for using my book, I told them I would be glad to come by. So I added a day to my Washington trip and here I am.
"You all do important work," Mr. Sanborn said. "It may seem like sometimes with the challenges and obstacles that you face in your work that you're unappreciated or it isn't as important as it is. I am here as an outsider looking in to say that you are doing very important work. That work is appreciated. It is unfortunate that we live in a culture that takes people for granted. Well, I am here to say 'thank you.'"
"Nobody can prevent you from choosing to be extraordinary," Mr. Sanborn said. "Being extraordinary is a personal choice. It may be encouraged or recognized and rewarded. But ultimately it is about an individual commitment to provide extraordinary service and to create value through passion and commitment and creativity."