Heroes don’t wear capes, they wear dog tags
Ten years ago, on 6/1/13, we went live on a new medical records system in Northern California. It was our biggest go-live at the time, and a few weeks after it was over, we held a team dinner. At that dinner, a tradition was born. Our North State manager, Kevin Eck purchased and distributed military-grade dog tags to the team. A former Sergeant in the US Army, Kevin described how the team stuck together even when things seemed impossible, even when things got tough, they were with each other, and for each other. He told the team they inspired him, and that day Kevin inspired me.
Each team member received two dog tags. One had their name, their role, the project name, and the date. The other tag, the toe tag, had a quote that Kevin picked, it said: "Heroes don't wear capes. They wear dog tags." This quote was particularly significant since we all knew that Kevin loved Batman. We would argue over who was the best superhero (I was partial to Wonder Woman). The dog tags were a small token of appreciation, a note from the leader to the team that simply communicated, "I see you, and I appreciate you."
I have collected a fair share of dog tags in the last ten years. I keep them in the top drawer of my desk; occasionally, I will pull them out and remember the resilience of our team from a particular moment or time. The quotes that my leaders pick out are my favorite part. Here are a few of them:
"The difficult we do immediately, the impossible takes longer."
"Anytime, anywhere, always ready, always there."
"The only easy day was yesterday."
Last month as my time leading this team began drawing to a close, I ordered a bunch of dog tags. I have given out some already, but I have over 100 that need to be mailed. I ordered one for every leader that worked on this team during the nineteen years I have led this group. You don't lead a team for nineteen years because you are great. It was never me; it was always about the people around me, the people who loved the people, who loved the people. I chose a typical Kim Thomas quote: "Leaders are called to love their people." Today, I said goodbye to the last of my direct reports. For the first time in 22 years, I technically don't have "my people." It's sobering and yet I have great hope for the future. God is doing something new.
A couple of thoughts honoring the last five:
Mike: You got us through so much during the pandemic. Everything I threw at you, you made happen. Thank you.
Dr. Frank: You are amazing, and you own the rights to the story of one of my most remarkable and hilarious leadership mishaps.
Aaron: You are like an older brother (ha ha, yes you are 2 months older). I am so glad that we made that pact to return to school and get our degrees together.
Thaddeus: You were my friend for 22 years before becoming my team member. That means we have been friends for eeeek 24 years. I am so lucky.
Larry: You made sure I was your last call today. You have been by my side, serving this ministry for the last 22 years. I couldn't have done any of this without you.
Thank you, leaders, for your commitment, your friendship, and for loving your teams so very well.
In my hands, I hold my 1 June 2013 North State dog tag from Kevin. And I hold my 2023 Dog Tag for Kevin that is yet to be mailed.
I leave you all with this blessing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp6aygmvzM4
