Small Acts Strengthens Your Leadership

I recently had a conversation with an experienced Executive, who had taken over a new business unit. Although experienced as a leader, he was still starting from scratch getting to know his employees, building culture, and earning trust. 

Early in his new assignment, an office party was held for a gentleman who was retiring from his team. After the party ended, everyone left except the Administrative Assistants who began cleaning up. To the Administrative Assistants' surprise, their new Executive stayed behind to clean up too. He left the room for a moment to take some garbage out. When he returned, he found the Administrative Assistants talking about him. When they realized he returned interrupting their conversation, they let him know what they were discussing. They said, "We've never seen this before. We've never seen an Executive help out in this way." 

The Executive could tell he had made an impact. He had an "a-ha" leadership moment: leadership is built through the smallest of acts. Taking out the garbage seems like a menial task, but this small act reframed how his new employees viewed him. It showed:

1) he cared by making the lives of those expected to clean up easier.

2) nothing is below him.Take your ego out of the equation of leadership.

3) that building trust is done one act at a time.

You want to change the culture in your organization?

You want people to follow you?

You want people to execute your vision?

You want to score BIG in leadership?

Focus on the small acts.

To your continued growth....

Dana