Wise Words from SVP Marla Smith Randolph: ‘Your Life Gets Better By Change’

“Nothing you can do and think is better than doing and thinking with somebody else,” SVP Marla Smith Randolph told a packed Lunch and Learn session.

“We are stronger together than by ourselves.”

Central Region Senior Vice President Marla Smith Randolph urged associates to consider what impact they have on each another so they can work together to accomplish common goals.

But first, associates must learn to self-assess, spot their negatives, and be willing to change, she said during an HQ Lunch and Learn by the Exchange’s special emphasis groups for African Americans and women.

The African American special emphasis group is BRIDGE, “Building Resources in Diversity Growth of Employees” and the women’s group is POWER, “Promote Opportunities for Women by Effecting Results.”

“We are stronger together than by ourselves,” Randolph said. “Let’s say you come upon this fruit tree, but you are 4-foot-5 and the other person is 4-foot-5, so how are you going to get the fruit?” Randolph asked. “One must stand on the other’s shoulders in to get the fruit. Individually, neither of you will succeed. In essence, you’re better together.

“Nothing you can do and think is better than doing and thinking with somebody else. This creates a positive synergy because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

Randolph said that looking in the mirror at one’s self may be hard, but to become a “better you,” people must:

• Consider their impact on others.
• Think before they speak.
• Be humanitarians.
• Use their strengths for the greater good.
• Recognize their weaknesses.
• Take better care of themselves physically and emotionally.
• Show appreciation to others.
• Explore their spirituality.

“To be a better person, we must create a win-win mentality that regardless of what’s going on in your life, you seek to get results that are beneficial to all,” Randolph said. “But then you must keep your mind open to new possibilities and recognize the differing opinions, perspectives and views of others—those are all about you.

“Your life does not get better by chance; it gets better by change. Your beliefs don’t make you a better person, your behavior will. And, never look down on anybody unless you are helping them up.”