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The story he shared in a recent workshop I led stopped my heart. We were talking about leadership and “bringing out the best in people,” when John (obviously not his real name) confided, “I’ve never seen anyone do what you’re talking about better than my wife.”
We smiled. “No. You don’t understand,” he continued. (His eyes got bigger and his posture took on a sincerity that made everyone in the room lean in.) No one expected what came next.
“I was an absolute asshole. If you were to look up bad husbands in Wikipedia my picture would be there.”
I stayed totally still. There was absolutely nothing I could say next that would trump his story.
“I had been such a jerk for so many months. I knew it. She knew it. I was deeply depressed, and not myself. She didn’t complain. She never seemed to take it personally. Although, I can’t imagine how she wouldn’t. We had no money, which made the whole situation even more grim.
Then one day after a lot of long ones, she asked: “Would you be willing to fully trust me and get up at 3am with me tomorrow and follow me?”
I felt so guilty, I said “Sure.” Even though I found the mere thought exhausting.
She woke me up, blind-folded me and took me sky diving–my top bucket-list adventure. We both knew we couldn’t afford it. But I leaped in. She took pictures and videos. As she played them back, she reminded me, “This is the man I love. This is who you really are. You can be this. You will get there again. I love you.”
Amen.
I’m going to admit right now, I’m not that big of a wife. This would NEVER have occurred to me. I’m in awe of this woman I’ve never met, inspiring a man with enormous potential to be bigger. As he shared his story, his eyes sparkled as they had for the previous two days. He was a ball of vibrant energy and potential. I’d feel lucky to have him on any team I was leading.
Perhaps someone you’re leading right now could use such a generous, humble and confident approach. A second chance to be seen for what’s possible.
P.S. I would love to schedule a free consultation about how I can help your team achieve breakthrough results in 2015. Click here to download a one-page highlight sheet. karinhurt_One_Sheet
Your turn. How do you bring out the best in others?