We recently connected with Sherman Havelaar and have shared our conversation below.
Sherman, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?
I have two, special-needs, kids. A son and a daughter. Both have always been in a special classroom with specialized instruction throughout their years. They have both been in adult transition programs. Understanding first hand what mainstream parents do not encounter, parents of kids and/or adults with disabilities sometimes feel like they are on an island by themselves. The program I run is inclusive to all with disabilities. It also allows parents to connect and share resources that are beneficial for their loved one.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have been involved in volunteering, managing, and leading Cypress Champion Baseball since 2005 This is a league for kids and adults with special needs to play the game of baseball which is not afforded to them by the mainstream leagues. It was founded in 2001 by two men with a vision, Doug Bailey and Jon Peat with 21-22 players on the City of Cypress, Ca. Today, we have over 220 players from over 30 cities in both Orange and Los Angeles counties. The Los Angeles Angels have invited us to walk on the stadium field in June with our players. It’s a thrill for both parents and players alike to walk on a major league baseball field. The most rewarding aspect is when parents see their loved one fully decked out in a baseball uniform and on the field playing baseball that otherwise would not be available to them.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1) Leadership: “Speed of the leader, speed of the team”. This was a phrase I learned from one of my many corporate mentors. Being able to adapt quickly and pivot when adversity arises without panic. I learned long ago in leadership classes, ” never let them see you sweat”. If the leader panics, your subordinates will panic. Hence the saying, “be a duck”. Calm on the surface but paddling like crazy under the surface where no one can see the chaos.
2) Organizational skills: with so many things involved from finding managers with experience in the special needs field to fundraising, it is crucial to find the right people for the right position. Being sure everyone is on “the same page” and ensure everyone is marching toward the end-state goal of the organization. This can be applicable to any type of business organization as well.
3) Listen: when adversity arises, find the root cause, listen to suggestions to correct the problem, and then implement the corrective action. The leader picks the best solution but there are many solutions to a problem, the key is to put your ego to the side. An ineffective leader hears. An effective leader listens.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The biggest challenge is to let the mainstream population know that the special needs community can do so much more. From working to playing sports to being accepted as they are, has been a challenge. My kids inspire me each and everyday as they face challenges on a daily basis yet continue to persevere. This is the type of persistence they exhibit on a daily basis and it is unfortunate, but only those closest to them see it. That’s the biggest challenge. To show people what they can do and how they can excel similar to the mainstream population.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cypresspony.com
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