In my opinion, the most important factor in successful organizations is effective leadership that helps people thrive and grow. I have observed and thought about this a lot over the years, and in doing so, I have found something very interesting at play when this is being done well.
It’s what I call “tiny moments of leadership”—those occasions when top leaders spend truly quality time, even when rather brief, as they perhaps can be, to connect with team members in a personal and meaningful way.
The topic of conversation during these “tiny moment” experiences can be anything, and frankly, it’s not the only essential part. There are other dynamics at play that can be as important as the actual words spoken. The fact that you are taking time to connect with your team in a genuine and focused way can be the biggest takeaway of all. Then there’s the friendly tone in your voice, which perhaps they don’t always hear, much less feel, in such a personal way. Your genuine interest in hearing what they have to say and the way you truly listen, ask questions and respond to what is being said all can have huge impact. By doing this, you’ve already made a big impact regardless of the subject matter.
This is not to suggest that what you have to say is inconsequential. Quite the opposite. In addition to all the positives mentioned above, these encounters provide the opportunity to share thoughts, observations, suggestions and advice, all based on a shared vision for the individual and the organization. And equally important, it offers the opportunity to assess where the individual is in their thinking and professional maturity, observe how they communicate and hear thoughts, ideas and aspirations directly from the source.
It is in these tiny moments that leadership truly takes hold and connects you to people in a profound way. They make you real and genuine and make your leadership transformational. People cherish time with those leaders they admire most. And these close encounter engagements separate the truly great leaders from the others.
Wow. If all this is within the reach of simple conversations, wouldn’t you want to make a point of having more of them?
What do I mean by “tiny moments of leadership”? Well, think back to a great leader in your life and take note of the most vivid memories you have about them. Most likely, these are the times you shared rather personally with them. Sure, there were other scenarios when they displayed their leadership to a larger group of people in broad, influential ways. But when you really think about it, it is the accumulation of smaller, more personal moments that really had the most impact.
So how do we as leaders create these tiny moments of leadership?
By being abundant. Join in brainstorms. Connect with people. Participate. Get up and walk around and have conversations. Imagine that.
When you are an abundant personality, you meet the unspoken needs of your people. You are more likely to recognize when someone is struggling with a task, an emotion or any other challenge and reach out to them with a word of encouragement and an offer to help. It’s these moments that they will remember the most.
Imagine the opportunities for growth you would discover by having a firsthand vision into your organization like this. There’s gold waiting for you there. New ideas and creative inspiration. Opportunities disguised as problems. Transformation inspired by simple conversations.
Now there is a catch to all of this…you have to listen. Listen for input. Listen for perspective. Listen for understanding. Then ask questions for clarification and more detail about what you’re hearing. Not to put on a show, create a false sense of involvement or pander for buy in, but because you truly believe that the active participation of many creates a better solution for all. There are no shortcuts. You have to put in the time. Being “abundant” takes time and commitment. But it pays you back in spades.
The old saying “Big things come in small packages” could not be truer than with the tiny moments of leadership you share with your team. These small encounters have the potential to shape their minds and, in the end, take up the most room in their hearts.
How many tiny moments of leadership have you shared today?