For the impoverished, time is money.

There are lessons we could learn from impoverished cultures.
What they lack in currency, they compensate for with what they have at their
disposal. What I would like to talk about is how the people of Haiti look at
time.

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in some
volunteer work in the mountains of Haiti just two hours south west of
Port-au-Prince. The people we met in this rural community taught me some
valuable life lessons about time. They demonstrated for me the difference
between sharing time and managing time.

Let me share.

Relationships are worth
the time

A member of our team intentionally visited local families on a
regular basis. He made the rounds and met with at least two families each day.
In addition, more than one family asked our team to stop by for coffee. From
humble homes, they took time to share what little they had to offer, voice appreciation
and connect with our group of 18. With the help of a translator, they
introduced family members and sincerely delivered thanks for what we were doing
for their community.

At the end of our trip, I talked to our team leader about the
visits as well as the hospitality shown. As we talked, he said something that I
will not forget. “In Haiti, the way you create and develop relationships is
with your time,” he said. “Giving of your time shows the relationship is
valued. The Haitians will not forget your visit or your willingness to give
your time to them.”

I could not help think about how often in this country we cut
short meetings because we have something else to do or somewhere else to be. We
determine which relationships are worth our time. The value we place on time is
often driven by our desired result rather than what might be created by our
presence. In Haiti, presence is precious.

All in good time

Doing a task in Haiti required patience. I kept hearing about
understanding “Haitian time.” What that meant was we did more waiting than we
were accustom. The transportation would arrive, eventually. The supplies for
the job site would be there at some point. The extra help we needed would
arrive in waves. And the weather caused us to change plans often. Ultimately,
did the work get done? Yes. Everything happened in good time. The people of
Haiti understood the desired outcome and were ready to work immensely hard to
complete the task. They were less concerned with when things happened than
finishing the work in the right way for the right reasons.

I could not help contrast this with our business world’s love
for Microsoft Project, lessons-learned sessions, six sigma efficiency and punch
lists. We break down time into pieces and milestones and sometimes miss the big
picture. In Haiti, there was very little concern about daily milestones. The
focus was on hard work for each day and what the long-term goal was. The
project would be done well in the time required. All would be accomplished – in
good time.

Time to give

A member of our team happened to be in Haiti during the 2010
earthquake. As they gathered as a group awaiting information and transportation
to the embassy, local members of the community would stop by. A blanket would
be left in one visit. Some water and cooked rice in another. Or, basket of
mangos and more blankets would somehow show up. The average Haitian lives on
less than $4/day. Yet, these people took time and gave of themselves to others
in need. Visitors would stop by in the evening to check on the group and then
would find their way home. Each time, something would be left that would help
the team as they waited to return to Port-au-Prince and home. The Haitians make
it a priority to give.

Time is certainly a gift that comes with
responsibility. We all make choices about what we view as important uses of our
time. For me, there seems to be a perceptual difference between time that is
managed and time that is shared. I understand the need to optimize what we do.
My time in Haiti helped me see the value of sharing my time and what a gift is
can be. Perhaps I can learn to be more present, give projects the time they
need and find ways make time to be generous. Given time, everything is
possible.