“Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope”

As human beings when we were created, we are wired with Hope. While I forgot the name of the movie, I remember this line, "when you lose your dreams, you die".  The same thing is true with hope because it is the foundations of our plans and dreams.

There are those among us who are dead, they have lost their hope or their dreams have died. They still have plenty of food, water and air, so to those looking at them would think they are still full of life.

When disaster strikes anywhere in the world you can see this death of hope across the newscast.  We know what to do.  We send bottled water, food, and money in an effort to restore hope to nations of people struggling in tough situations. But what about those sitting at the table with you today, those you worship with, your fellow workers or employees. Do they still have their Hope, are they still in pursuit of their dreams?

As the leader, I want a group of followers who still have hope, who can still dream.  If I am too busy leading and not keeping hope alive then I may be in for a big surprise.  The attitude of hope can be squashed and lost in a single second.  It is a fragile business asset that must be protected for all the members of your team, or it can quickly become a liability.

What can we give those whose Hope is gone? Should we give them bottled water?  What we need to give them, is simply a reason to Hope again.  For some its encouragement that there is light at the end of the tunnel or they will have a job tomorrow.  For others its giving of your time to help them find another reason back to Hope. You see unlike physical death, Hope can be restored back to life.  Many times it may be a  new or different Hope.

It is from this simple act of giving your time, your encouragement, and sharing your dreams with others that can provide the restoration of their Hope.  Be on the look out today for those whose Hope is dead, make it your personal responsibility to help get them back among the living. If you work with them I can assure you a person with Hope makes a much more productive worker.  So protect your bottom line, make sure your entire company is alive with Hope. Who knows, maybe someday you will need assistance in restoring your own Hope.