Lincoln Messenger issue 13 • july 2016
Don’t forget RED Shirt Fridays! page 4
Mission Moments: The Vogels page 5
inspiration
A Letter from Philip “…you were right, and I was wrong.” – Abraham Lincoln, in a letter to Ulysses S. Grant after the capture of Vicksburg, Mississippi, on July 4, 1863. Lincoln differed with Grant about how to handle the campaign, though Grant had made his decision based on what he saw on the ground, and that ultimately proved successful, Lincoln wrote to acknowledge that success. For me, and for all of those in a leadership position at LMH, there is a clear lesson in Lincoln’s acknowledgment, specifically, that the best answers are often found by those closest to the problem. As a company, we must constantly balance what we see “on the ground” with our obligations to meet partnership obligations, and with our responsibility to manage the company resources in the most effective way possible. Those realities can be in conflict, and it is critical that we have OPEN communication that provides the leadership at Lincoln Military Housing with the proper perspective to make the right decisions. In June, the Regional Property Managers from all five Regions of LMH met in San Francisco with the Regional Vice Presidents, Jarl
Team Development: CTAs page 6
and me to have just that, an open dialogue about the status of the company, the challenges that are being faced on the ground, and how we can all work better, together, to solve the issues facing each of you on a daily basis. It was a productive meeting, at the same time, the value of the RPM input is based on what they hear from YOU. I would encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to share with your leadership the challenges you face, it is likely others have faced similar challenges and the answer is available – if not, we will find one together. Too often, like with General Grant, the best answer to a problem is known by the people facing it – but unlike General Grant – it is kept to ourselves out of a fear of speaking up. Please know that I am not encouraging everyone to make decisions that go against the instructions of your supervisor, what I am saying is ASK WHY, and if you have a BETTER solution, SHARE IT!! I hope everyone has a great summer and finds time for some BALANCE with friends and family. – Philip Rizzo, Vice President of Operations Philip Rizzo is the Vice President of Operations for LMH and is responsible for the overall management and daily operations. As a former soldier and son of an officer, Philip is committed to serving the men, women and families LMH is privileged enough to call our residents.
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