So at 4:00am when my father came into room to wake me, he was a little surprised to find me wide eyed and full of energy. When we got out onto frozen lake I remember hearing ice creak beneath wheels of truck as we slowly approached small wooden shack that would house us from elements for remainder of day.

I remember being concerned as first ‘POP!’ resounded from crystal floor below. But then, I took one look at my father and all of my fears where dispelled. I knew that with my father at my side I was safe from harm.

Once inside ice cabin we lit small heater in corner and my father went over some of safety rules with me. After initial talk on safety, wooden plank which covered 4 foot long by 2 foot wide hole in ice was removed. One look into murky darkness below and I became poster boy for ice fishing safety.

My father went over basics with me and then showed me how to properly drop line and how to watch it for a bite from fish.

As he instructed me, I absorbed every bit of information he shared, and followed his lessons to tee. I never questioned him, or desired anything else but to make him proud of me, and have fun. Over course of that day I caught half a gallon of trout, and had time of my life.

We’ve learned that we can use energy of wind and sun. We’ve also learned to harness energy stored in form of coal and oil. Creative energy, like any other kind of energy, can be harnessed and managed.

When we engage our employees and tap into their creative energy, they can show us ways to improve. All employees can be thinking about how to reduce costs, looking at safety issues, reducing wastes, and improving environment, while at same time developing skills to identify, articulate and communicate those kinds of things.

What can people do with their creative energy?

Michael took some wood, cardboard, and tape and made a ’flipper’ to close boxes, eliminating work he was doing.