exc-5f69bbaa60ee1618e5ca0482
Countless books have been written on the subject of leadership. Wondrous heroes, larger than life people who have imprinted many lives with their courage, their imagination. The legacies they are building or have left behind … define them.
We marvel. “Isn’t (wasn’t) he/she amazing?” They all possess their own uniqueness. Their stories so compelling. Lincoln, Churchill, and Ghandi. Mandela, King, and Graham.
On and on. All icons. Individuals we idolized. As I visualize them all … my gaze peers upward. They were above me. Beyond me. Out there. To be admired … memorialized.
But then there are the “leaders in our midst.” Rather than describe what I mean here, I want to tell you a few stories to illustrate my point.
Leader … Mary Stuart
It was a cold, rainy morning in Indianapolis. My consulting client had asked me if I could meet him at 6:30am to get our day started. I replied, “No problem. That’s my lunchtime!” I slogged through three inches of new fallen snow from my hotel. As I approached, opened the door to his offices, I noted the lights were on. “Oh, he beat me here.” I thought.
As I entered the reception area, I could smell coffee. The day’s newspapers were laid out on a table. And there at 6:15am … sat a cute, young lady at her desk. She greeted me warmly. “Good Morning, Mr Brickley.” A bit taken back I smiled and thanked her.
6:15am. And this young lady is on the job? Welcoming a guest. As I sat down, I noticed a small name plate on the front of her desk.
Printed on it’s face was this. … “Mary Stuart, Director of First Impressions”
Mary Stuart is one of the leaders in our midst. You see, I learned my client had not instructed Mary to be there so early that morning. She had checked the schedule, saw I was visiting and was there that morning. Simply, Mary Stuart was a leader. Although an inconspicuous one. She exemplified the kind of people I as to meet later that day. All members of what turned out to be part of a very high quality team. Mary had decided she would take responsibility that cold, snowy morning. And be a leader.
Mary Stuart is “a leader in our midst.”
Leader … John Conforto
I shop for groceries at our neighborhood Publix. I’ll go in at 7am on Saturdays to beat the crowd. 1pm on weekdays. Never too conscious of my surroundings I usually try to get in and get out. Invariably as I walk the aisles, I’ve noticed something. All those working in this store always make eye contact, greet me with a smile. Whenever I ask someone where a particular item is (among thousands!) … they always walk me to the right isle and point out to item on the shelf. What was going on here? This response was common, consistent every time I shopped there.
One day I decided to ask a clerk in the produce department who his boss was. Oh, that’s Mr. Conforto.” he beamed with a smile. “Can I meet him?” I asked.
The clerk walked me to rear of the store. There was John Conforto, the manager of the Publix. He was about 40. Fit. Obviously confident. He was the head guy. l told him how impressed I was with his team. How consistent they were in their interactions with me. John just gave me a knowing, contented grin. His leadership was amplified all through the store.
John is a “Leader in our midst.”
Leaders … Caddies at Pine Valley
I’ve been fortunate to play golf every year at Pine Valley GC, in New Jersey … the #1 golf course in the world. The course, the experience is indescribable. Simply magnificent. There are maybe … 50 caddies that guide players as they navigate this “beast never tamed.” All … amazingly, all of them are expert at what they do.
Each takes great pride in what they do. For what amounts to four hours carrying two golf bags. Finding errant shots. When appropriate slipping in a “tip” or two to a struggling player … like me.
These guys serve all the CEOs and celebrities who play this one of a kind course …zealously.. The place is very exclusive. Michael Jordan, Jack Welsh, Barack Obama are just a few who have played Pine Valley. You get it.
My point? Each caddie who is charged with the task of guiding players for four hours on this amazing golf course? … leads. Regardless of who is with them, they are in charge. Leaders of America. From Presidents to CEOs. They all yield responsibility to their caddie to show them the way.
Caddies at Pine Valley are … “Leaders in our midst.”
Three inconspicuous examples. Leaders in our midst … all. Everyone of us should be … can be … is a leader. We lead our lives each and every day. Leaders aren’t out there … over there. They are you. They are me. Those like Mary, John and those wonderful caddies at Pine Valley. Leaders are right in front of us. Every day. Leaders In our midst.
So at a time when all … and I mean ALL the chaos surrounds us. I say, “Just live, lead your life. Ground yourself in your values, stay close to loved ones close to you. Choose to be a leader. Be an example. And like Mary and John and those amazing caddies, have the courage to lead others in the process.