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Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

This past weekend I finished a book that my book club was reading.

I don’t normally do well with “how-to” books or books to improve your leadership and that sort of thing, but I decided to give it a try.

I found there were several points to the book that were inspiring and left me assessing a few areas of my life.

The book centers around the story of a mail carrier named Fred. But Fred wasn’t just any mail carrier — he approached his job and his life with enthusiasm, passion and a genuine concern for others and as a result made a big difference in the lives of those he encountered.

Fred went over and above what was required from a letter carrier. Not only did he always neatly bundle the mail for the people he oversaw, but more notably he took an interest in his customers — who became friends — while on and off the clock.

The mail carrier inspired the author so much that he wrote a whole book about what he learned from him and how others can find success in their own personal and professional lives by implementing his characteristics.

He said Fred taught him that everyone can make a difference, no matter their job, and that there are no unimportant jobs. He also talked about how Fred stood out above the crowd because he took time to get to know him, and he showed him that you can make your life or business anything you choose it to be.

Fred told him he did what he did each day because it was the right thing to do, and he found that being in service to others was gratifying.

The book mentioned other people the author has encountered who were similar to Fred and how the author loves finding other “Freds” wherever he goes, whether they connected with him through their generosity, humor or kindness. If you’re looking, they are there, he said.

It got me thinking about the “Freds” I encounter in my own life. I can think of co-workers, friends and others I come across at various businesses. I think of some who are not shy about lending a hand for me in a stressful moment and others who always know just what to say.

Fred could be the waitress you get every time you go to a certain restaurant, who knows your favorite meal, and who would call to check up on you if she hadn’t seen you for a while, or Fred could be a teacher, who goes the extra mile to show concern for his students.

I hope all the “Freds” know their kindness and genuine interest for others does not go unnoticed.

If you know of a “Fred” from your life who you think deserves to be recognized, please send me a note or give me a call. I’d love to recognize these seemingly ordinary people who are leaving such an extraordinary impact on those around them.

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune.