Legacy

Flora Whittemore once said, “The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live”.

In Stephen Covey’s book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” he writes about a Sunday afternoon when he was riding on a subway and a gentleman and his children boarded the train. The children were untamed, running through the isles into people as they were reading their newspapers. Mr. Covey being quite agitated turned to the man and scolded him. The gentleman apologized, and began to inform Mr. Covey that the children had just been to the hospital where their mother had passed away. Not knowing how to digest the news the children became insubordinate.

Sobering isn’t it?

I know that there have been plenty of times in my life where I have prejudged a situation or persons intentions based on my education, ego, and the tinted filter of life lessons that I have been apart of. Given my personality, I not unlike Mr. Covey would have been put off by the perception of the children’s disobedience, but the question is- would I have been right?

As managers and leaders it is not uncommon for us to experience times when an exceptional employee’s work has drastically suffered. But how are we dealing with these issues? Do we write the employee off, stating that they are no longer motivated, or have become lazy? Friend’s this is a serious issue that most manager’s face at times in their career, but the issue may be something else (sickness in the family, marital problems, financial difficulties, etc).

I think the question is what do we value as an employer, and who do we value? We have to begin to make human calculations when dealing with such a valuable commodity. If your most valuable asset is not well, you do not cash them in, but aid them in the healing process.

As leaders we cannot remove ourselves from Ms. Whittmore’s quote, because how we deal with even the insignificant situations in our lives determines the legacy that each of us will leave behind.

What will be said about your leadership ability? Were you fair, and honest? How about your character?

I know that I have stumbled many of times, but I pray that a glimpse of goodness will be seen through me.

Humbly,

JFH