Leadership Moments
Leadership Moments
When I was fresh out of college, I went to work for a rental car
company. When you're new, you spend a lot of time picking people
up, getting gas, and even changing tires. I live in Phoenix, so
the summers are brutal for those that work outside, so this job
was tough in the first 6-8 months for new hires.
On a very hot day in August, I had the "opportunity" to help a
customer change a tire on the side of the freeway. Wearing a
long sleeve white dress shirt and tie, I gladly jumped out and
began to get the spare tire on the care. While driving back to
the office I decided that I was in the wrong line of work. So I
made the decision to leave at the end of the week (and pay
period).
When I returned to the office, the manager immediately called me
into his office. I remember thinking that he picked the wrong
person and wrong day. I would just make today my last day. So I
sat down in his office, and he smiled and handed me a piece of
paper and said, "I just wanted you to see what I am going to put
in your HR file". So I read the memo, and to my amazement it
just a simple paragraph explaining just how much he appreciated
my efforts, working long hours and always being pleasant and
helpful to customers. Not only did I not quit on that day, I
remained with this company for 8 years, working my way up to an
Area Manager in charge of 7 rental branches.
Leaders have the opportunity to change lives, careers, and
personal situations. In this example, the manager was aware of
my frustration and probably sensed that I was at the breaking
point. By spending less than 5 minutes writing a few words on
paper, he kept me motivated to stay. Leaders who do not have the
awareness to know just how each team member is doing will miss
these simple opportunities. They will experience much higher
turnover, and poor performance that may drag on for months. Is
there a team member you have that could use a simple act of
motivation and support to get them through a tough time? Make it
a point to perform small, simple acts of support on a regular
basis. Be a leader that understands that "leadership" is a
people business.
Kreg Enderson Leadership Mentor/Coach www.LeadershipMentor.net
Take a look at our new "Learning Leaders Mentoring Groups"
Monthly mentoring program for new leaders.