There was a knock at the door, a thud of a box and a quick shuffle sound of the Amazon associate ddelivering a package to my home this morning.
When I opened up the package I was greeted with a very warm and beautifully hand written card from my new boss at work. I thought to myself this is so nice considering the team has already done such a nice job welcoming me onboard my new position as leadership training manager at the Home Depot.
As I continued to empty the contents of my package I found another card with a custom pin for me to wear on my apron and on this card was a beautiful starfish story.
I had heard about the story through many colleagues and friends, even my wife the school teacher had told it to me once before however it really moved me once I had the pin and the card in my hand.
You see a few days before receiving this starfish pin, my new boss presented it to me virtually and read me the story, I immediately fell in love with this concept, I had thought of it and performed this in my life many times and said it many times however didn’t know what it meant.
It’s a great reminder in leadership that you do make a difference in some one else’s life, even if you teach thousands and only one success, you made a difference in that persons life.
Here’s the quick story if you’ve never read it.
This principle of making someone’s day is to try and make the day better for the people you’re working with.
If you’re dealing with customers face-to-face this means engaging with them, smiling at them, taking a genuine interest in them, and finding ways to simply add positive morale and value to their day intentionally.
My boss could have simply mailed it and I could have Googled about it but I don’t think it would have had the same effect. He was intentional about this moment, he did it strategically and went out of his way to make my day today.
You see, what that young man’s actions in the starfish story represents something that is special in each and every one of us.
We have all been gifted with the ability
to make a difference. And if we can, like that young man, become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our vision the power to
shape the future.
And that is your challenge, that is my challenge. We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our stars wisely and well, I have no questions
that the 21st century is going to be a wonderful place.
Remember…
Vision without action is merely a dream.
Action, without vision just passes the time.
Vision with action can change the world.
ZARIR 🚀 MERWANJI 