The Colonel always reminded me, “Significance isn’t about you, kid. Focus on how your achievements will help others, and then you’ll begin to be significant.”
I’ve spent twenty years in direct sales (at one level or another, either as a consultant or in leadership. It was a valuable learning experience for me in many ways. During my time as a consultant, I attended many national conventions. As I sat in the nosebleed seats at my first convention, I was green with envy as my idols walked the stage, receiving beautiful pieces of jewelry in recognition of their promotions and specific business achievements. Their beaming faces flashed on the jumbo screens, and the entire company cheered as each person enjoyed their moment.
Afterward, in recounting the experience to my Dad I said, “Mark my words, that’ll be me in two years. I’m going to start picking out my dress now.”
“Maybe,” he said, “but if that’s all you want, you’re thinking pretty shallow.” He could see the disappointment on my face. That was not the response I was looking for. “Look, kiddo,” he went on, “if all you want is to look amazing in a fancy dress while you walk across the stage and have people cheer for you, then that’s fine. But I think there is so much more to that moment than you’re getting.”
Dad reminded me that none of those accolades were achieved alone. Each of those winners had teams. Those teams were made up of people who came from all walks of life and who had all different personality types. Their leader showed them how to achieve – how to become more than they previously thought they could be. Their leader encouraged them, sacrificed for them, stayed up late, got up early, told them the truth when it was hard, and traveled untold miles to model for them what a leader looks like.
Those in the audience cheering understood that and more. They realized the necessary significant leadership characteristics it took to build each member of their team – to build to that moment on stage. Dad said, “It’s not about the dress, kiddo. It’s about helping others achieve their special dream. You will know you’ve been significant when people who talk about you don’t talk about what you accomplished for yourself, but rather what you’ve achieved in the service of others.”
Text SIGNIFICANCE to 411321 for Lauren’s White Paper: Leadership Accountability – It Starts With YOU.
Read Lauren’s Whitepaper on The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership.