August 2024 Communique

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Mahatma Gandhi

2024 sees the 20th anniversary of Burns-Hoffman Consulting, originally commenced with a team of associates that grew to having representatives in five provinces until a structural change was implemented in mid-2016.  

The decision to unbundle the associate team emanated from a personal desire to study further, as well as invest back into the education and training of health professionals choosing to work as experts in the medico-legal field and claims professionals in the life insurance industry.   

Having enjoyed the achievement of both ambitions in the form of gaining two further certifications, as well as being the convener of and a lecturer on eight UCT post-grad short courses since 2017, the truth of the Ghandi quote (above) resonates more than ever.

There really is tremendous self-discovery in service; a type of learning that can simply not be found in further studies alone.

It is in the service of listening to and sharing with others that one enjoys the greatest feeling of alignment with one’s sense of purpose; certainly that is the case with me.

Although it may be challenging at times to connect with what exactly ‘service’ means for each of us, the world in which I spend professional time provides an abundance of opportunities.  

To share a few:

1. It is in the time taken to listen to the life journey of another that they feel heard, irrespective of whether all that is communicated is directly material to the matter in hand.  Making a safe space available through offering time and mindful listening is a process that cannot be rushed or squeezed in-between other things.

2. Genuine interest in getting to understand the world of work in which others operate never fails to create positive energy through active engagement and expressed respect for the infinite methods and means via which work is done. The work environment is a vast, fascinating and ever evolving place in which every job has meaning.

3. Considering future occupational choices through the discussion of options and possibilities makes for upbeat moments in the realisation that not all is necessarily ‘lost’, albeit certain functional abilities may be permanently altered. Helping others to see their skills differently is sometimes the greatest professional input one ultimately provides. 

4. Human empathy and compassion enables a connection that serves to remind one of just how much we need one other in the world, irrespective of our history.  We each have a role to play in the fabric of society, leaning on and learning from one another in various ways.

Although there are many different aspects to how we can all relate to service, it is in often more impactful on others through the small, simple actions of each day, than when celebrated in the glittering lights shone on awards and recognition. 

Some tit-bits from a few recent medico-legal and contractual claims matters engaged in during the first half of 2024 may serve to illustrate the resonance with service to which I refer:

1. learning about the specifics related to the safety testing of car airbags created an air of appreciation felt beyond the boundaries of the employee’s performance appraisal in the workplace – encouraging the client to open up about how he personally feels about his contribution to saving lives;
2. the lighting up of the eyes of a client in recognition of how his skills set could be adapted to a less physically demanding job, created an excitement that literally brightened the room;
3. the reassurance provided through the explanation of underwriting methods; claims processes and contractual meaning gave rise to the courage to not give up – so much so that the client chose to commence actively seeking new work opportunities, albeit at a different level of expertise – and;
4. being sincerely thanked for ‘listening to my story’ is one comment that always warms the heart.

It is these experiences and many more that vibrate with the sentiment expressed by Ghandi.

In gratitude for the valued support I have received over the past 20 years; the incredible gift of being able to serve and the unlimited opportunities provided for personal and professional growth, I have elected to offer a 10% discount for all work referred during the month of August, irrespective of when the work is completed. 

This applies to all medico-legal and risk assessments, as well as opinion work referred from 1^st to 31^st August 2024.

As a woman in society it felt a fitting time to extend this offer during Woman’s Month.

Kind regards

Elise