Leading From The Heart

So you know you’re lucky when you get to show up for a job that’s a career and share the experience with the kind of people you’d adopt if you could.

Team Leader Dani never applied for the job; her honesty, fairness, eloquence, and good heart pretty much rendered the selection process unnecessary.

Dani first stepped through our doors some thirteen years ago. On that occasion I was too busy being busy to appreciate the opportunity; all I managed was a wave and a glance. My co-workers urged a return visit (and the threat of an organized strike) and I’ve never spent quality interview time more wisely.

Dani was a very quick study and instantly won the respect of co-workers and patients alike. Within a few weeks, on her own initiative, Dani executed an inventory of supplies. Within a few years she was leading a community project that served Temple City schools (and managing most of the local dentists in the process.) A little while later, Dani was named National Dental Assistant of the Year by the prestigious Crown Council.

Although Dani has deservedly won honors as a Dental Assistant, they don’t come close to defining her as a person. Dani happens to share December birthdays with my Dad. And I know for sure there are at least two amazingly generous, empathetic good hearts in the Golden Rule Hall of Fame…both of whom started out on December 2nd.

When I was accepted onto the Board of Directors of Haven House (the first shelter for victims of domestic violence founded in the U. S.), Dani showed up with a carload of clothes the next day. Every year, we’d adopt a Haven House family for Christmas; and having selected and wrapped all of the gifts with her sister Denise (now our Scheduling Coordinator,) Dani always took the lead as we met yet another fractured, courageous, and grateful family, gamely trying their best to put a smile on one of life’s cruelest betrayals.

Last November, our office organized a food drive, benefitting low income families with children attending local schools. Don’t have to tell you who created, organized, and led the event…that generated over 1,000 pounds of Holiday donations.

Last Monday, Dani was really animated in sharing what she’d done over the weekend. And I don’t know about you, but sometimes my Team Leader makes me feel like the most selfish loser in the world. While I was out playing golf and agonizing over a college football rally, Dani and four lady friends and family decided Sunday was a great day to make a difference…again.

Armed with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, juice, water, and cheese and crackers, Dani and company visited some mostly invisible sites around Olvera Street, Elysian Park, and LA County General Hospital and fed 120 homeless Angelenos. As Dani told me Sunday’s story, I could see what fulfillment looked like; when she finished her report we both mouthed the words “…but for the grace of God.” And then a big smile and… “Dr. V, we’re gonna do it every month.”