Bringing My Yes Face To Work

As a young parent, I became sensitive to the volumes of “no’s, cant’s, stop it’s” my children would encounter on a daily basis. These remarks would come from friends, family, and teachers, but mostly I was the one who had to make them. It’s hard to find a balance between not wanting to utterly crush their spirit but also to keep them safe and pointed in the right direction.

Then one day I heard the story of Thomas Jefferson’s “yes face.” From that moment on, I wanted to be the yes face for my children. I also want to be the yes face for my coworkers.

The story of Thomas Jefferson’s yes face goes like this:

During Thomas Jefferson's presidency, he and a group of travelers were crossing a river that had overflowed its banks. Each man crossed on horseback fighting for his life. A lone traveler watched the group traverse the treacherous river and then asked President Jefferson to take him across.

The president agreed without hesitation so the man climbed on, and the two made it safely to the other side of the river where someone asked the traveler, "Why did you select the President to ask this favor?"

The man was shocked, admitting he had no idea it was the President of the United States who had carried him safely across. "All I know," he said, "is that on some of your faces was written the answer 'No' and on some of them was the answer 'Yes.' His was a 'Yes' face."

How often do we wear a no face to our children, to our neighbors, and to our coworkers? If you wear your yes face, you become more approachable, more open, and more connected to those around you. By wearing your yes face, others know they can trust you for help.

I’ve been wearing my yes face at the office, have you?

Until next time…we are Advoco, make every minute count.

About Tim: Tim Latta is a Technical Solutions Architect for Advoco. He has been with Advoco for eight years, but has been building EAM solutions since 1996. Tim enjoys dreaming up big ideas, working through the details, and mentoring others along the way. When Tim isn’t helping our clients maximize their Infor EAM system, he’s with his family or out on a run. Tim is Advoco’s resident running enthusiast – you can catch him on the Swamp Rabbit Trail during lunch and encouraging the Advoco team to sign up for road races together.