Last week, at a conference, a woman walking ahead of me as weleft a session tripped and fell. (Why women where those high heelswhen they're on their feet all day is another story, but that's foranother discussion of restless leg syndrome.) Being a gentleman, Ihelped her up and got her seated in a nearby chair. Turned out shebroke her wrist, as I found out the following day. Others alsostopped and offered aid. Nice gestures, to be sure.

There are so many incidences and times when aid is required, andnot just in catastrophe situations — just in everyday life. Theelderly woman struggling with groceries outside the supermarket isa good example. Old farts like me who are having trouble gettingtheir heavy laptop out of the overhead bin on an airplane once weland is another prime example, and I'm not embarrassed to admit it— especially since I sprained my wrist helping that woman up offthe floor at the conference.

But there are so many other, simpler gestures that can ensureyour induction into the “Aid Hall of Fame.” When did a four-letterword like help become a dirty word? I've heard all the excuses. I'mnot qualified. I'm afraid of being sued. Those kinds of things.Walking through O'Hare one late night on a return to home fromCalifornia, I came across a man lying on the floor of the terminal,bleeding from the ears. I'm no doctor, but it was obvious he washaving a medical emergency. People were just walking by as he laythere. I stopped and gave the support I could while waiting for adoctor to show up as the PA system desperately called for help.Finally, a doctor arrived but it was too late. The poor man wasgone. At least there was someone there in his final moments to givehim a little comfort. He didn't die alone, although I don't know ifhe even realized it.

There's so much we can do in our everyday lives to aid thosearound us. Even in the office. You've got a new adjuster recruit,probably young and very inexperienced. He doesn't have a clue whereto begin, because initial CE is lacking these days. Stop! Sit! Aska question or two. Point out a few of the ins and outs of gettingstarted, organizing computer files, working through theoften-complicated computer systems that we employ in the adjustingprocess. Explain the fundamentals of the adjusting “terms” whilesenior management personnel are busy doing other important things.There are basics that will help them get their feet on the groundand help them grow. These are our stars of tomorrow.

Oftentimes, being new, they will not have the immediateopportunities of formal CE training, which is a shame. But you canmake a difference in just a few minutes of daily monitoring andguidance. Let them know how important their contributions are, andtheir value to the bottom line.

Make an effort to be a mentor and bring talented claim adjustingprot?g?s into the fold. We need them — and you — to make the systemwork. They need the encouragement that only seasoned adjusters cansupply. And only you can fill the void.