Have you ever worked with somebody that just seems to bring out the best in you? Not somebody who you are in competition with, but somebody who enables you to perform at a higher level. I have had the fortune to work with several people and their presence and approach to life, in general, enabled me to perform at my optimum level.
One of my favorite Bible verses is found in the book of Proverbs. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). When I read or think of this verse in the first person I think of Jorge Gutierrez. He is somebody who has brought out the best in me for most of my adult life.
Jorge and I first met almost 40 years ago when we were both team leaders in the 82nd Airborne Division. We would serve as squad leaders and platoon sergeants together, and at one point Jorge was my first sergeant. Still to this day when I feel myself getting “dull” Jorge is going to be the person I turn to help me hone my edges.
Who is it that brings out the best in you? Who motivates you to perform at your optimum level? Who will be straightforward with you about your faults, and at the same time help you overcome them? If you haven’t found a colleague or friend like that then I highly suggest you do. Find somebody that inspires you to perform at a higher level, and whom you can inspire. Remember that “Iron Sharpens Iron”.
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