FROM RANDOM ACTS TO DELIBERATE ACTION
There are two expressions I won’t forget about a particular team member I worked with.
Let me tell you about the first.
I was sitting in my office when my team member breezed in high on energy and enthusiasm.
They had just delivered a kick-ass event for the company that transformed the traditional notion of a seasonal PR event. Rather than it being all ‘white space and canapes’ they had taken journalists out into the city to experience the new collection by reimagining and taking over shops, apartments and bars for the day.
Each brand story had been crafted to fit its location, each with an expert storyteller at hand to connect the journalist, environment and story in a highly creative and meaningful way.
It was revolutionary and the feedback from those in attendance was glowing and the press results exceptional. It also caught the attention of the Global team.
The platitudes were flowing.
I applauded the team member for their initiative and the results. I had proudly presented the feedback to the global team ensuring that full recognition and credit was given to the way they had led and delivered the event. And here comes the first expression.
“So, what’s next?” I asked. I could tell by their face that they was stunned and puzzled.
‘What do you mean?” they replied, a mixture of confusion and concern.
“Well, it’s like a band that delivers an amazing debut album,” I continued. ‘There are rave reviews, maybe a stand-out track or two, they garner extensive press columns and an expectant buzz for a tour. It’s all great. Then comes the tricky part, the follow-up album.”
“So, what’s your ‘follow-up album’ going to be? What are you going to do next to top this event?”
‘Oh… I see,’ they replied, somewhat surprised.
I reiterated that the first event had been exceptional and highlighted some particularly note-worthy success factors. I also reassured them that I had their back, that I wanted them
to explore and push the boundaries further.
They left my office slightly bemused and deep in thought. Challenge accepted.
Needless to say, they came back with an amazing proposal for the next event. It was thoughtful and confident, taking the original concept to the next level. Boldly, they also reached out personally to get the CMO to actively participate in their plans for the event.
It was an engaging and transformative event that changed the way the brand communicated with the press and media at the time
And the second facial expression?
The smile on their face after the second event.
A confident, knowing smile that they had believed in themselves and dared to step out of their comfort zone, knowing that they were supported and enabled. It was their idea, their execution.
My role was to provide them with emotional support and guidance and ask the right questions along the way, to help them deliver their vision for the event. However, the framework
was one built on trust, integrity and creating something meaningful together.
This was about leaning into the values of the brand and pushing the experience to get
the best out of individuals and teams.
The outcome exceeded the mere metrics of ROI.
Here was kindness in motion, something measurable and actionable,
that moved the needle from random acts to deliberate action.
It is the responsibility of leaders:
To inspire.
To create an environment of psychological safety.
To be open and human.
To encourage the team to ‘lift as you climb’.
Leaders have an opportunity to initiate kind decisions and a kind culture that just
makes the way we work together better.
There is also an inherent responsibility to begin building a legacy,
to nurture and inspire those who will follow in their footsteps.
How many of the 90,000 hours we spend at work in a lifetime have you already used up?
Your legacy starts today.
There is no re-run and notably the demographic of employees in companies is shifting
fast too.
They won’t wait for you either.
It is the responsibility of leaders
To inspire.
To create an environment of psychological safety .
To be open and human.
To encourage the team to ‘lift as you climb’.
Leaders have an opportunity to initiate kind decisions and a kind culture thatjust makes
the way we work together better.
There is also an inherent responsibility to begin building a legacy, to nurture and inspire those
who will follow in their footsteps.
How many of the 92,000 hours we spend at work in a lifetime have you already used up?
Your legacy starts today.
There is no re-run and notably the demographic of employees in companies is shifting fast too.
Photo by Frederik Trovatten on Unsplash
