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I have mentioned a couple of times that I try to have at least one meaningful conversation with someone every day. The other day I was priviledged to have just such a conversation.

His name is Aleks and he is a Sales Manager. I have trained and mentored him for a while now and we have a really good relationship, not only professionally, but we have a deep regard for one another as individuals.

We were talking the other day about one of his consultants, in particular the progress he was making in developing a can do attitude. The talk drifted to Alek’s own challenges in recent times. A couple of years ago he was diagnosed with cancer.

He fought it and won. All trace of the disease had disappeared. Last month, after one of his regular check ups a trace was found. It was too small to do anything about yet. So he has to wait a while and then have another operation.

This guy is amazing. After his last bout he lost a considerable amount of weight. He laughed when he told me about the weight loss, as he needed to lose the weight. Then the weight started to come back on.

He is now on a fitness program and strict diet and is looking fitter than I have ever seen him. He is dedicated to the welfare of the people who work for him and they are just in awe of him and his work ethic.

Anyway, the conversation got to his last diagnosis and I asked him how he felt about it. What he said just blew me away. It went something like this.

“I know plenty of people who are a lot worse off then me. I at least know the challenge I face. If I am told I have twelve months left, look out, it’ll be the best twelve months I can make it. In the meantime I simply live my life each day as it comes and try to do the best I can for as many people as I can.”

Then his last comment almost brought me to tears. He said, “After all, aren’t we here to help each other?”

I have spent many years trying to communicate just such a message to the people I train and coach, but the simple dignity of this young man far outstrips anything I could say.

Aleks, I am proud to know you and call you friend.

Live well,

Ollie Lind