"He knew my name!" Big Deal?
Who were those who helped shape your understanding of leadership? Specifically, how did they do that?Those questions framed a discussion I led last week with a group of 32 leaders from around the world in the Leadership Institute Master Class (LIMC) for Project Management Institute (PMI). LIMC is a yearlong personal and professional development journey sponsored by PMI that encourages and equips leaders for greater effectiveness.For the past two years, I have had the privilege of serving alongside my friend, Aileen Ellis, to co-facilitate the three-day leadership intensive that launches this journey. In the, “Discovering the Leader IN You” session, I guided Master Class members through three guided reflections on what it means to be a leader and to lead well.In the opening, we explore the first leaders we encountered and how did those encounters shape our understanding of leadership.It’s often enlightening to consider the roots of how our leadership perceptions. Indeed, the discussion at LIMC that totally WOWED me last week.After exploring how our group first learned leadership, I teed up the discussion by encouraging participants to, “Think about a leader you admire — it can be someone you know personally, a leader from history, or someone on the world stage.”
First impressions, lasting encounters.
As I floated around the room, I heard two stories worth repeating.Beth Rick from Ohio shared of an encounter she had five years ago when she spent a day serving as host and handler for General Colin Powell when he was in Columbus to keynote the Professional Development Day for PMI Central Ohio Chapter.Beth shared how nervous she was as she anticipated spending the whole day with a person of such power and stature. She wondered, “Will he be intimidating?”After all, he was a four-star general in the United States Army, had served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the US Secretary of State.And then there was the limo.Apparently, General Powell’s speaker’s bureau inserted a provision in his contract that he be picked up in a limo.Beth didn’t know what to expect.But as it turned out, General Powell was a kind and compassionate man who immediately put her at ease. Maybe it was his quip about, “What? Are we going to the prom?” when he saw the limo.And he was genuinely interested in her as person and a great conversationalist.She was struck by his authenticity and how, throughout the day, he made it a point of recognizing all the people who crossed their path who were doing what many might consider “insignificant jobs”. You know, the servers, whether they were serving food, cleaning facilities, or attending to the AV. General Powell recognized them and thanked them for their service.
Leadership at its best!
Next, Merete Munch Lange from Norway was recounting an experience from the process of joining her current employer, Sopra Steria.Between the time she had received the job offer and her official start date, she was invited to attend a special company meeting. Imagine her surprise when Thomas, the firm's Managing Director and her bosses' boss, sought her out, addressed her by name and said, “We’re excited to have you join us.”Her response? “He knew my name.” I had not yet met him, I don’t even work here yet, and he knows me by name!As we sat in last week’s LIMC session, more than 18 months had passed since Merete had that experience. Yet when prompted to reflect on leaders she admired and why, that seemingly insignificant event was top of her mind.What had that encounter communicated to Merete?That she mattered. That she was viewed as a valuable member of the team, a key contributor. It validated her. As a person.That simple act — welcoming her by name — was a big deal!
Little things matter most.
Merete’s story underscored the importance of connecting with people as individuals. Seeing them, knowing them, and calling them by name.One of the primary things I’ve learned in my work developing leaders— little things matter most. Never underestimate the power of connecting with people as individuals. In my experience, the best leaders connect with everyone on your team by name.Without you even knowing it, your seemingly insignificant act may actually shape the understanding of what it means to be a great leader for people in your life like Beth and Merete.