Everyday Leadership: It takes hard work to make a team like a family

Last week, the second Ray Reunion in the last 10 years was held at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park near Corbin, Kentucky. Three generations were represented including my siblings, my wife and me, our children, and grandchildren. Twenty-nine people in all attended. My Mom could not join us due to her fragile health, but she was in everybody's heart.

We all piled in Sunday evening the 27th of June and proceeded to enjoy a meal my sister Sylvia prepared. That first gathering was spent catching up on changes and successes life had brought us. We all see one another at different times throughout the years, usually at Sylvia's house. However, everybody together at once is a unique, wonderful experience.

My brother, Jack, is the planner in the family and he started putting this together well over a year ago. Since that time, we received numerous e-mails reminding us to save June 27 through June 30 on our calendars. His persistence paid off with full attendance.

Cumberland Falls is known as the Niagara of the South. The 125-foot wide curtain of water is dramatic. On nights with a full moon, a moonbow can be seen. It is the only one in the Western Hemisphere. Our first night at the park was a full moon, so we all drove down to see the sight. Unfortunately, heavy clouds blocked the moon and we ended up standing in the dark with hundreds of other strangers. The rush of the river over the sandstone cliff was impressive even in the dark.

Day two began with a hillside hike on the edge of the Cumberland River. My older brother, Joe, and his friend, Sue, who are self-taught naturalists, led the tour. Mammoth sandstone outcroppings framed the hillside and formed many rock shelters. Joe explained the geology of the landscape as we walked. The most impressive tree was the big leaf magnolia. Its leaves were 2 to 3 feet long and 18 inches wide. We also found a 2-inch snapping beetle and a firefly larva. The day ended with a fantastic video about our family my nephew, Matt, created.

Day three centered on a 5-mile canoe trip down the Cumberland River. Thirteen of us partook of this hot, but enjoyable, float. The water was so low that there was some scraping on bedrock and I had to step out several times to free us.

The next morning hugs and kisses were thoroughly shared and cars headed home to Charlotte, North Carolina, Birmingham, Alabama, Boston, Massachusetts, New York City, Charlottesville, Virginia, Little Hocking, Ohio, and various spots in Kentucky.

We decided 10 years is too long to wait for such a gathering and reset the next reunion for 2013. A family is a wonderful thing. Each member cares about every other member and is happy when any one achieves success. There is an air of cohesiveness and acceptance.

Some leaders say their organization or team is like a family. If this characterization is true, it is because the leader has fostered relationships where people help one another, treat each other with respect, enjoy working with one another, and are successful in their work. It takes hard work on the part of the leader and all team members to make this happen.

R. Glenn Ray, Ph.D., is the president of RayCom Learning. To learn more about Ray's new book, "Tons of Stone above my head: Coal Mining Stories with Leadership Lessons," visit his Web site www.raycomlearning.com. Everyday Leadership appears each Wednesday on the Business page.