Michael Leppert: The valuable lesson I learned about what I value

I told one of my sons a few weeks back, “I’m getting more out of the pandemic than anyone.” Of course, how could I know that? I haven’t been around anyone.

In any case, I am grateful for this stretch of time and what I’ve accomplished in it. Last August, I wrote in the IBJ about going back to school. I wrote about doing it for the love of it. This August, I earned my master’s in communications from Northwestern University. Yes, my classmates and I are all tired. And, yes, I still love school. Maybe even a little more than before.

So, what did I learn? I could impress you by throwing some Aristotelian quips making ethos, pathos and logos appeals, but I don’t want to be that guy. No one really likes being around “that guy,” especially me.

Studying more forms of communication than I even knew existed a year ago has nothing to do with the most important thing I learned. The most meaningful thing I got out of grad school is, I now have a clearer vision of value.

“Value” is a funny word. It is a word we often use—and often without much thought. But assessing value, and values, is a judgment exercise in which we engage multiple times a day, every day of our lives. What things do you want to do today? Why? The answer is that those are the things you value for some reason. Whom do you want to do them with? Same answer.

After an intense year of being taught a long list of theories and even a few cool skills, my favorite lesson was that I now have a greater sense of what I value. I didn’t sign up for that, and I can’t point to when it happened. I don’t know if it was part of any class.

Oh, sure, I can write and deliver better speeches and presentations, too. But the reason to do this is to connect with people. I also learned how to create and evaluate surveys and polls, but why bother doing this kind of stuff? Again, it’s to better understand people.

I am not quite a “boomer,” but I feel like one every time I contact a young person for advice on, say, how to turn off notifications on my Mac. Now, I can do a whole list of new things with my computer. But the reason for doing so is, you guessed it, to more effectively and efficiently communicate with people.

The theme is pretty clear—for those of us who want to become better communicators, people is what we value. I know that I want to learn things so I can share what I have learned with others. It’s why I write. It’s why I almost never turn down a chance to speak publicly. It is why I teach.

The diversity, equity and inclusion training forced me to learn about myself. Most of that preceded the George Floyd murder, which served my soul well this summer. I have more empathy than I did before and am more aware of bias and privilege—things that make it easier for me to wear a mask today.

I am smarter than I was a year ago, which doesn’t just mean that I know more stuff.

“Value” is a funny word. So is “learning.” I never would have predicted that I would want to become a student again or that I would love it. And what I learned in the process is that people are what I value.

I feel sorry for my students this fall. I have a feeling I might be “that guy” then.•

__________

Leppert is an author and governmental affairs consultant in Indianapolis. He writes at MichaelLeppert.com. Send comments to ibjedit@ibj.com.

Click here for more Forefront columns.