The opportunity to vote in the 2018 general election has begun. Absentee ballots for casting a vote and in-person voting in limited locations is under way. Yesterday, I waited in line for over an hour to vote and enjoyed the beautiful fall day, and a dozen other patiently waiting voters as we had friendly conversations. One 20-something shared that it was his first time to vote in person, having moved from a state which votes-by-mail.
What does this have to do with our workplace discussions? Well, employees worked to support our vote-casting process. And, as voters, we were customers of the county elections office and the cast-a-vote process. Everyone stayed upbeat and the employees stayed friendly despite the computers failing several times and extending voter wait-times.
Casting a vote is part of being a citizen of the United States of America. Casting a vote is making a statement about who and what I am FOR and what I may be against. Casting a vote happens on paper, electronically, and in person during conversations we have each day at work, at home, and in the community.
The discussion of casting a vote is also about finding our voices and sharing them each day in ways that positively affect action and can create a change in direction. Most business meetings include a consent, an agreement, or an official vote that affects how work will be accomplished going forward.
From the 1976 Freedom Train visit in Fort Wayne, Indiana to today’s over-coffee discussions, I am inspired to participate; inspired to volunteer; and inspired to speak up in favor of our great nation and what it has to offer and what it provides – despite and in spite of all the messiness and hurts along the way. We are making progress, slowly. We have conversations to make things better. Let’s keep in conversation and keep casting a vote, using our voices for good and for a greater good than just ourselves!