Bringing Out the Best
Posted by Mary B. Lucas | Posted in
My dad was fond of reminding each of his ten children that the world didn't really revolve around us. He'd sit back, smile, and so lovingly say, "When you’re all wrapped up in yourself, you make a damn small package."
As I grew older I began to understand what he meant, especially at work. He was trying to tell us that we are not at our best when we are self-consumed, self-involved, or feeling self-important. But it wasn't until I was finding my own leadership sea legs as a staffing industry manager that I began to understand his message and put it in to practice because of some great coaching I got on the job.
Gary was one of my peers back in 1986 and I greatly admired him. Leadership seemed to come so naturally to him and I was eager to learn from his vantage point. Gratefully, he mentored me. I was an up and coming company darling at the time and I enjoyed it when all eyes were on me and my accomplishments. I was frequently taking center stage, winning company awards, and being recognized. And did I enjoy the spotlight! When I was bumped up the corporate ladder to take a multi unit management position in another state, Gary carefully guided me with his wise counsel.
"As you take on this new position you need to realize that it's not about your spotlight any longer," he said. "Your future success will be evident when those people you now manage win the company awards, take center stage and are recognized. It is no longer all about you."
Huh? It's not all about me? That was hard to hear and even harder to live by… still is at times if I am honest with myself.
But eventually I got it… Gary's advice mirrored my own father's advice, given to me in a new and understandable context two decades later.
Gary was one of my peers back in 1986 and I greatly admired him. Leadership seemed to come so naturally to him and I was eager to learn from his vantage point. Gratefully, he mentored me. I was an up and coming company darling at the time and I enjoyed it when all eyes were on me and my accomplishments. I was frequently taking center stage, winning company awards, and being recognized. And did I enjoy the spotlight! When I was bumped up the corporate ladder to take a multi unit management position in another state, Gary carefully guided me with his wise counsel.
"As you take on this new position you need to realize that it's not about your spotlight any longer," he said. "Your future success will be evident when those people you now manage win the company awards, take center stage and are recognized. It is no longer all about you."
Huh? It's not all about me? That was hard to hear and even harder to live by… still is at times if I am honest with myself.
But eventually I got it… Gary's advice mirrored my own father's advice, given to me in a new and understandable context two decades later.
That life lesson is this:
The key to success in life, love, friendship, parenting and business? It is NOT ABOUT you BEING THE BEST; it is about you BRINGING OUT THE BEST in others.
Have you had a similar experience where you've learned this lesson? Where you were made better because you brought out the best in someone else? Where it was not about you and as hard as that was to realize that realization actually made you better. If so, I'd love to hear your story. Drop me a note at Mary@maryblucas.com.
Til next time, thanks for reading.
