In Unnoticed Moments Leadership Happens

Leadership happens most powerfully in the unnoticed moments. It’s a quote that I created in some of the writing that I’ve been doing. You guys know that I’ve been working with the leadership class. We have a new leadership class. We’re about seven weeks in, almost halfway through. It’s been a wonderful time getting together with a number of you young men and women that are excited about growing as a leader.

This quote talks about how leadership happens in the unnoticed moments—the things that are sometimes small. Sometimes it’s in the quietness of saying the right thing as a leader and helping somebody, thinking about them, sending them a thank-you card, or noticing them. All of us can invest ourselves into each other in powerful ways in small moments.

It is typically the smallest of things that people remember more than anything else. As I’ve talked to the leadership class over these last few weeks, that has just reinforced itself—not only in the teaching but even in the moments that I’ve seen both in the classroom, in the homework, and in other things.

We always think that life is about grandiose, big, monstrous achievements, but it’s not. It’s quietly built day by day in little moments and little things that we do, both positive and sometimes even negative. We can build negative consequences and negative things can happen. But on the positive side, leadership grows and becomes more solidified.

People remember you for the littlest of things sometimes—things that led to something bigger in their lives because they know you care. Many times, you might find yourself feeling down, and who do you go to? The person that preaches a big long message? Somebody that’s always telling you what to do and how to do it? Or somebody that is just quietly sending you a card or quietly giving you a thumbs up or fist bump in the hallway?

Somebody that is constantly there in the littlest of ways. Those are the people you gravitate to because you know that they’re going to listen. You know that they’re going to care, and they might even have some words of wisdom to help you in the moment of where you’re walking. So, as you go through the rest of this week, think about the littlest of things that you can do to build leadership.

See, we’re all leaders if we recognize that from any position—wherever you are, whatever rank you have, whatever position you hold within this company—you can help lead others to greatness by being a great leader yourself and caring and listening and loving on those around you. From clients to community, from team members to leaders that you work with, it’s an important factor that we sometimes miss.

So, as you go through the week, remember to be valuable. Nothing less will do. And God bless you. I’m looking forward to seeing more of you in a leadership class coming up maybe next year. God bless you. Have a wonderful week. I’ll talk to you later. See you.