From the Desk of Marty Schaffel: The Cathedral Story

A few years ago, I was reading a book called The Corner Office by Adam Bryant.

In it, he told the following story: A journalist was strolling down the street in New York City. He walked by a large construction site and saw numerous tradesmen at work. Curious as a journalist is prone to be, he asked one of the workers what he was doing? The worker said, “I am a bricklayer, and I am laying bricks for this project. That is what I am paid to do. I am doing my job.

The journalist nodded and walked a little further along the sidewalk alongside the construction site.

He stopped and asked a second worker what he was doing? The worker said, “ I am a bricklayer, and I am trying to be the very best bricklayer I can be. That is what I get up and do every day.” The journalist was very impressed by the work ethic and commitment to excellence this worker exhibited. He wanted to be the best at what he did. We all can relate to that.

The ever-curious journalist decided to make one last stop and ask his question. “Pardon me, sir, what are you doing?” He asked a third worker. The worker stopped what he was doing and replied, “ I am part of an amazing team, and we are building a magnificent cathedral!”

To my dear fellow members of ASHA- we too are embarking on building something great! We, too, are building a metaphoric cathedral. We have a fantastic breed we are passionate about. We have a market we desperately want to build. We can make this something amazing! If we all have the perspective of that third worker, we will succeed my friends. That I truly believe! Let’s build that magnificent cathedral together.

Marty Schaffel, ASHA President