Love and Compassion for Successful Leaders Value #7 - "Walk the Talk"

Greetings everyone!  Continued prayers and best wishes for safety and good health for you, your families, and your professional colleagues as we continue to fight this deadly virus.   There are so many stories of support and love for each other which brings out the best in all of us as leaders, friends and family members.

Please stay strong, kind, and compassionate as we slowly begin to move our country forward.

This week's blog on "Love and Compassion for Successful Leaders" is about what many of you do everyday - "Walk the Talk."   Do you live and breathe love and compassion in your daily leadership work?    This includes leading with active encouragement and enthusiasm whenever possible, preferably always.    

So......how many of you feel that you have had "too much encouragement" in your daily life?     To that end, because of the privileged position you have as a leader, you have a wonderful opportunity to make someone's life better.   Do you think this is important today with your team fighting the virus or for someone who just got furlouged?    Sometimes all it takes is a greeting with a smile asking them how they are doing and how their family is holding up.    As simple as this sounds, this means acknowledging "every single colleague you encounter," which sadly is not practiced as much as it should be.

One day about ten years ago my wife was walking with me inside the hospital I served as the CEO.    I would say hello to everyone I saw and almost everyone would acknowledge me back by my first name.     My wife was a bit taken aback by that and I asked her why.    She said that in a hospital she once worked in, the CEO never acknowledged colleagues in the hallway and point of fact, she would not even know who he was to say hello to!!!    This sounds so basic but it is so important, and a meaningful part of "Walking the Talk" as an engaging and encouraging leader.

One final story.   I once walked into our hospital laundry to say hi to the always happy folks in the room.    As soon as they walked in, they asked if I would like to try folding the laundry as they do.    Well...............there were lots of laughs and joy watching the CEO make a complete fool of himself trying to do as good a job as these dedicated ladies.    Walking the talk - how can a leader expect his or her team to be engaged and enthusiastic if the leader is not??

Making someone's day better is contagious, increases energy, effectiveness, engagement, and productivity.    Will you "walk the talk" starting today?

Exciting news - I have started interviews for my upcoming book on "Love and Compassionate Leadership."  The interviews have been a treasure trough of information and hope for the future.    Can't wait to share it with you when completed by the end of the year.

Thank you for reading and please stay safe and healthy!j

Blessings,

David