Help Yourself So You Can Help Others

When the flight attendants start doing their safety demonstration, I watch even though I’ve heard it like a million times by now (even four times last week). I’m geeky like that.

But this last time, I got thinking about the part where they say, “put on your oxygen mask before helping others.” The thinking goes that if you pass out, you can’t help others, so take care of yourself first so that you can help the person next to you.

The same advice gets passed on to new moms. “Take care of yourself so you can take care of that precious little baby.” (Easier said than done, but still valid.)

Member organizations are kind of like new moms and passengers in planes - we’ve got to take care of the organization (and ourselves) so it (and we) can help our members. In fact, the healthier the organization is, the better equipped it is to serve its members.

So what does that look like? It depends. Every organization is different.

It might mean:

• A little price increase.

• Time off for staff after the annual conference or other big lift to recharge.

• Letting leaders follow an educated hunch.

• Sunsetting lower-performing benefits.

• Making time for fun.

  What can you do to help yourself, your team, and the organization so you are ready to help your members?