BARA Topping Out Celebration: Servant Leadership at Its Best!

AMCA had the great honor of being invited to take part in the New Parkland Hospital Topping Out Celebration hosted for the fantastic team building the new hospital, BARA. We went with high expectations and were delighted to experience something truly memorable and over the top.

Approximately 1,200 craft and field workers took time to come enjoy a tasty meal of tacos and all the trimmings with music and another 800 or more guests, including contractors, donors, family and more. One special tradition was getting to sign and date a beam which will become a permanent part of the structure.

There was entertainment, and a program recognizing several special contributors. A member of the team sang The Star Spangled Banner, another offered a prayer. There was a tribute to a team mate who is setting records as he recovers from a long battle with cancer. Gil Holt was given a special flag that flew on one of the tower cranes so critical to this job. And then an amazing collection of prizes were awarded to craft workers based on raffle tickets given out as they entered the hospitality line for food.

So what’s the link to Servant Leadership? We saw top leaders paying tribute to those in the field closest to the work. Frequent, sincere celebration and appreciation lifts spirits and creates a spirit of recognition. Sam Moses, the General Superintendent thanks workers for showing up each day on time and putting in a full day’s work, finding ways to be productive and collaborative, keeping Safety as Number One in the minds and hearts of everyone. The BARA Team had moved their cars and trucks to a remote parking garage so guests could park up close and then were very active welcoming and introducing people and serving as tour guides. They understand that working to build trust and a strong network of professionals deeply committed to achieving a stellar job, in budget and in schedule requires the best from each of us. And they continually nurture this spirit of shared ownership at every opportunity.