In 2018, Optical Industry Executives Resolve to Listen Better and Lead Smarter

I’ve never been a New Year’s resolution maker. It’s not that I’m afraid of commitments. After all, I’ve been married to the same woman for nearly 40 years, and I’ve worked for Vision Monday for 30 years.

It’s just that I like to make my commitments on an ad hoc basis, rather than on the basis of a calendar date. For instance, I quit smoking when I was 21. One day I just figured it was time to stop, and I’ve never picked up another cigarette.

Yet I’m impressed by people who do make New Year’s resolutions. I suppose it’s because I’m taken by the sincerity of their personal pledges, which typically involve a commitment toward being a better person or helping others live better lives.

Of course, once Jan. 1 fades from view, even the most sincere New Year’s resolvers may lapse back into their old ways or simply lack the "sticktoitiveness" to follow through, no matter how good their intentions may have been. But some folks do follow through with their resolutions, and these stalwarts should command our respect.

This recent New York Times article offers advice for formulating realistic resolutions along with some strategies for sticking with them.

As 2018 approaches, we asked some VM readers to share their New Year’s resolutions with us. Here’s what they had to say.

“Let me start by quoting an interesting fable. Once a king asked a wise man about the key of his wisdom and well-being. The wise man famously said: “When I pray, I pray; when I eat, I eat; when I listen, I listen; when I talk, I talk.” The king was baffled and replied that everybody does that. To that the wise man quipped, “No, you don’t! You pray while thinking about food; you eat while thinking what other people will say about your dress; you listen while itching to talk.” It’s going to be difficult, but in the New Year, I will try to follow the wise man. When I will spend time with my family, I will truly spend time with them; when I will help a friend, I will genuinely try to understand and empathize with her, and when I will listen to our customers, I will earnestly try to understand their needs and expectations. This is the greatest gift I could offer to myself and others.”

Bidisha Rudra
Executive Director, Managed Care Sales, IDD
President, Essilor Women’s Network
Essilor of America

“My New Year's resolution is to become a better leader and delegator.”

Penn Moody, OD
Founder / CEO
Moody Eyes

“My New Year’s Resolution this year is two-fold:

1. I want to create more real experiences and memories for my family and I—places to go together, things to see together and people to meet together!

2. I want to be a better listener, both in my personal life and professional life – there are so many great stories that people have to tell and I want to make sure I am intently listening so that I can actually hear what is being said.”

Kevin Cross
Vice President Sales North America
Schneider Optical Machines

“My New Year’s resolution will be to put more attention on the well-being of our people through 2018. I’ve got to admit—the people in Ocuco do tend to give it all for us, working long hours, nights and weekends to meet client deadlines. This really is great, and is part of what makes any software company special, but we also have to look toward our long term wellbeing, mental and physical resilience, and even happiness! To this end, Ocuco has signed up with an online wellbeing provider here in Dublin on a pilot basis. We will be starting yoga classes, and we’ll be encouraging other activities through the year to see if we can bring some balance back into the lives of our employees. At our conference in June, 2018 we will be looking at introducing wellbeing as a corporate goal, and putting some metrics around it.”