This past week, I had one of those incredibly memorable moments that just make you smile. While sitting at the kitchen table catching up on my e-mail, I was watching the most beautiful, talented and gifted 8 year old girl, my daughter, carefully prepare Valentine cards for her school mates. She was completely immersed in the creative and artistic process to ensure each and every card was unique, perfect and, most importantly, special. You could literally sense the passion and love she had for what she was creating for others.
As I gazed at the table full of little special items she and her wonderful mother picked up from the local craft store, I reflected on an e-mail I received from an employee that was on my team over 25 years ago. He is a great guy and in search of a new opportunity as the economy has taken its toll on so many lately. As I pondered the e-mail and what advice and encouragement I might be able to offer, I noticed a little heart shaped object on the table with the words, “Forever Yours…” What an amazing thought.
The employees, peers, leaders, customers, partners, and suppliers you have had the opportunity to work with over the years are, in fact, Forever Yours.
They are all, each in their own way, unique and special connections that you have had the opportunity to interact with and assemble as friends or, at least, acquaintances. They are people with goals, desires, challenges, obstacles, and dreams of their own, just like you. Some share common values, principles, and beliefs as you. Some do not. But, in the end, they are still people and I believe there is good in most all people.
Too often in today’s workplace, leaders are so focused on the business opportunity, the PNL, the deal or the transaction that they have relegated “people” to the simple notion of assets and resources. People have become line items on a pro forma or task list as an impersonal tool, like a wrench or hammer. Too many leaders have all but lost the most important ingredients of leadership, inspiring people to choose to follow.
People are not tools, assets, or resources to slam into a business plan, cram into a project plan or to manipulate to drive to a goal. They are people, human beings, that need to be part of something great so they can become completely immersed in the creative and artistic process to ensure each and every thing they do is unique, perfect and, most importantly, special.
As you go through life, you will look back at some point at the opportunities you have had to influence, inspire, help or just simply encourage others. Are you taking each opportunity to truly lead? Are you projecting a true and sincere passion for achieving success with a team or simply using the people for your own success? The strength of your relationships is measured over time based on how you truly supported each other all along the way.
When I think about the e-mail I received, I find it much more rewarding to think of the relationship we have after 25 years than the little project we worked on 25 years ago. Before you hire your next employee or approach your next potential client, please remember that they will be Forever Yours and the opportunity you have to inspire them to choose to follow.