Tis’ the Season – AGAIN! It is hard for me to believe that another winter holiday season is upon us! It seems the older I get, the faster it recurs. Maybe you will agree, it seems the time in between the seasons is shrinking.
As your life journey takes you through yet another festive season, and as you contemplate your gift list, I want to ask, what do you consider the greatest gift you can give to another person?
Best of the Best
I believe you will agree that every leader, good or great, has a variety of gifts pertaining to leadership. Further he or she possesses each to a different degree. During my many years of researching and studying what makes great leaders great, I have learned that truly great leaders possess exceptional qualities that are respected and admired by others. These qualities or traits include, but are not limited to, being assertive, kind, diligent, respectful, honest, caring, loving, hard working, dedicated, trustworthy, open, thankful, and truthful. The result of these qualities is that people naturally gravitate toward them. It is these qualities that I call the “gifts of leadership.” Such gifts create authority, grow influence, and cause people to naturally select a particular person to follow. Countless books and articles have been written in an effort to teach, show, and guide people in developing these gifts of leadership.
However, I believe that not every leader uses or knows how to use what I consider as the single greatest gift of leadership. It is this gift that separates the good from the great.
Many of the people we revere as leaders may inherently possess and behave according to high standards, ethics, and morals. They may be punctual, forthcoming, honest, and hard-working. They may be diligent, deliberate, awe inspiring and hold to the finest leadership principles in the world. And, where they are deficient, they are working to close the gap! However, he or she may not utilize what I believe to be the greatest leadership gift of all! The gift I speak of, when genuinely given away creates trust, influence, and a desire to improve for those who receive it! Further, this gift breaks down barriers and creates a sense of belonging.
So, what is a leader’s greatest gift?
Consider Aubrey! I had the privilege of teaching Aubrey for several years as she ventured through school. Aubrey was a great student with a very mild mannered disposition. A few weeks ago she sent me a short, very simple, uniquely random, extremely profound note that demonstrates what I hold to be a leader’s greatest gift. Within this note, she passed the gift on to me gift. Here is what she wrote:
Mr. Morrison,
I have been missing you lately. I am taking all sorts of teaching classes and learning just how much I owe certain teachers. There are so many in my life that did not help me. You were one of the ones that really did. You saw how I felt within the context of your class and helped me learn to express it to others. That really helped. I opened up a bit more after that and was able to just have some fun. Thank you for seeing the real me and believing in me even if I didn't always show my feelings on the outside like so many. You are an inspiration.
Aubrey
Aubrey’s note, so simply given, yet so impacting in purpose reminds me that we all can lead, we are all capable of building influence, and we can all make a difference! Aubrey took a few brief minutes one evening and gave me a great gift, ENCOURAGEMENT!
As your holiday season unfolds and the days fly by… remember that we are all leading and influencing others! And although you may posses many gifts of leadership, the greatest gift you can give away is ENCOURAGEMENT!
Aubrey’s Formula
I think Aubrey’s formula for giving encouragement is very simple.
- First, state your disposition.
- Second, reveal your personal or professional growth as a result of the relationship.
- Third, express your thanks!
It is that simple! My final thoughts as I close this article are on the lessons I have learned from Aubrey. The lessons:
- I have the gift of encouragement AND,
- I need to give it away more often than I do!!
So as you make your holiday gift list, don’t forget the greatest gift you may have, the gift of encouragement!
I wish you all a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a joy filled holiday season!
