Recently, someone very close to me had to leave a leadership position at their company due to health reasons. This person invested deeply in the relationships of her team and created deep and long-lasting bonds with them.
She inspired them, cherished them, cared for them, and fought for them. She empathized with them and created an environment for them to be themselves. All of this while in a level of pain that very few knew about and would be debilitating to most others – I know it would be to me.
Shortly after it was announced that she would not be returning to work this email arrived in her inbox.
Let me begin with you are AMAZING!! You’re a leader any organization would love to have on their team. Even though I wasn’t a part of your team personally, half of me was. He never once complained about the job, maybe the drive LOL, but never the job. You motivated and believed in him in ways that I couldn’t. I thank you!! Always know that you have a genuine, outstanding team cheering you on and praying for you. Stay strong and know that we are here for you. (emphasis added)
As you can tell, this email did not come from someone on her team….but their wife.
Every time I read this, I start to tear up. While I always knew the character of this person, to see the words describing the impact her leadership had not only with a member of the team but with their family is powerful.
Experiencing this note and seeing the impact it has had on its receiver reminded me of something. Whether we care to admit it or not, the ripple effect of leadership behavior is profound and deep-reaching.
While I could bullet out many things, becoming a leader with a positive ripple effect comes down to one word.
Sacrifice.
The sacrifice of thought. There will be times when you would rather think about your own problems and pains – but instead, you think about the pain and problems of others.
The sacrifice of time. There will be times when you would rather do things yourself because you could do it faster or better – but instead, you focus on teaching and coaching others so they get stronger.
The sacrifice of energy. There will be times when you would rather focus on your own “to do” list – but instead, you focus on doing things for others.
The sacrifice of self. There will be times when you would rather focus on your own ambition – but instead, you focus on lifting others up.
When the opposite of sacrifice occurs (self-absorbed thoughts, the hoarding of time and energy, the accumulation of control, and the inflating of self) an unhealthy tremor ripples through a broad swath of our communities – not just at work. It is so important for those responsible for the well-being of people in the workplace to understand this.
Every word, every action, every expression, and every sacrifice…will cause a ripple.
This has been a great lesson for me. To become smaller so others can be bigger. Give more. Build up more. Sacrifice. I’m still a work in progress but at least I have someone close showing me the way.
Seeing this note is also a great reminder to all of us to continuously share our gratitude and appreciation for others. The author of this email had no idea of the positive ripple effect it would create. Send a note of gratitude to someone today (and every day).
