In some parts of the country, the phrase “Remember Ralph” is as common as “Remember curiosity killed the cat.” Although no one actually knows a cat killed by curiosity, everyone who uses the phrase remembers Ralph.
Ralph Pierson was an attorney of some renown. Respected in his community as a ruthless advocate and by his colleagues as an exceptional jury charmer, Ralph nevertheless had few friends, a fact of life he blamed on his constant professionalism.
Attorneys find weakness in any argument. They often end any hope of finality by redefining key terms. Ralph, a quintessential attorney, prided himself on spotting issues or problems in and out of the courtroom. He internally debated even his own decisions — everything from buying toothpaste to ordering drinks at soirées.
Social invitations diminished. Close friendships dwindled. Ralph at first felt grateful for the extra hours to devote to work. Then came a fateful Christmas where Ralph received scant obligatory professional cards while he sent even fewer.
Absence of personal warmth in a well-known community figure is not why people remember Ralph.
That Christmas, Ralph recalled a wall covered with cards from family and friends during his childhood. He decided to change. In fact, he decided to write a New Year’s resolution. For years, Ralph had chided colleagues who wrote resolutions by pointing out problems inherent in a system plagued by such a low probability of success.
Between Christmas and New Year’s, Ralph devoted every spare moment to writing his life-altering resolution. By the stroke of midnight on a New Year’s Eve spent watching other people having fun on TV, Ralph had penned only five words. Like Don Quixote, Ralph considered brevity as a virtue, if not the soul of wit. Five powerful words, though, he told himself.
On several plain, white 3x5 cards, Ralph wrote his resolution: “Be Part of The Solution.” Then he posted his resolution in his bedroom, his bathroom, on his fridge, in his car and next to his computer monitor at his office.
This resolution is half of the reason people remember Ralph, half of the reason people use his name to warn each other against writing resolutions.
Ralph’s resolve to live according to his resolution surfaced his first day back in the office. When by habit he pointed out several problems with a proposal, the resolution pierced his conscience. Ralph surprised everyone by continuing, “However, I want to be part of the solution to that problem. What do you think of this idea?”
From then on, every time Ralph mentioned a problem, he forced himself to be part of solving the problem. People listened to his solutions. Several colleagues adopted his resolution for themselves. Creativity exploded. Efficiency flourished. After only a few months, senior partners noticed a positive change in office morale. Ralph’s name was re-added to a list of potential partners.
One morning, arriving a little late, Ralph complained about the problem of longer commute times. Instantly, he voiced, to no one in particular, that he wanted to be part of the solution. He studied the problem for several months. The more he studied, the more he became convinced that the state capital lacked strong leadership on the transportation issue. A plethora of voters, politicians and interest groups talked about the problem, but no one voiced any solid solutions.
Ralph Pierson decided to run for office. His platform encouraged people from every political persuasion to be part of the solution. A lone voice of hope in a quagmire of political despair, Ralph’s candidacy captured media attention, which rocketed him to a landslide prediction. People wanted to listen to a politician who rallied people to be part of a solution rather than those who blamed everyone but themselves.
This political popularity is not the second half of the reason why people remember Ralph.
A small, local group of scientists conceived a plan to dispose of harmful chemicals by creating opposing chemical solutions that would neutralize the harmful effects. Their company slogan was a double entendre: “New solutions to an old problem.” They invited the promising politician Ralph Pierson to tour their research facility.
The company spokesman told Ralph about their recent generous grant bequest based on publication of their success with certain acids. He also mentioned the company’s hope to build a full-scale green-friendly production facility.
Ralph loved their slogan, their idea and the publicity for his campaign. His public relations manager envisioned several press releases and a barrage of strategic photos.
The chemical reduction process involved three large vats: one for the harmful chemical solutions, another to hold the neutralizing agent and a third for the benign byproduct that could safely be disposed. Standing above the vats on a viewing platform, Ralph became mesmerized by the churning wheel inside the waste vat.
No one knows for sure why it happened: a brief vertigo attack, excessive enthusiasm or perhaps even foul play. But what happened next is the second half of the reason people started saying “Remember Ralph.” Ralph Pierson fell over the railing into the waste solution and drowned.
New Year’s resolutions can become so compelling people die to fulfill them. This New Year’s, if you are tempted to write any resolutions, remember Ralph.
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