WOW!

I am sorry to brag, but I am a proud daughter. This article was written about my mom by a local psychologist that partners with her company providing leadership training and performance coaching. I think it says so much about her character. Sorry mom to post this, but I couldn’t resist.

here is the link:

http://incblot.org/uncategorized/the-quiet-leader-people-watching-and-teamwork/

The Quiet Leader: People Watching and Teamwork

April 24, 2011

IncBlot was privileged recently to sponsor Huntsville, Alabama’s Best Places to Work awards luncheon. A number of our clients were nominated, and while correlation is not causation, I was nonetheless flattered. Through no maneuvering on my part, our table was immediately adjacent to one of our clients. As I greeted my clients at the table, it came to my attention that the HR Director was nominated for an individual award, as was the organization. I wished the table luck and took my place with my friends and co-workers.

A Victory Observed

Just a few minutes into the ceremony, the individual awards were given out, and the HR Director with whom we partner was honored with an individual “Best Employee” award. She seemed genuinely pleased with having been chosen, but what I saw when she returned to her table surprised me. If I had won such an award, I imagine that the rest of the event would have been a haze of high fives and polishing my plaque. However, my client immediately re-engaged with the proceedings and seemed more intent than ever.

All They Do is Win

As the ceremony wound down, the final award was set to be handed out, “Best Place to Work” in the Large Organization category. I turned my head subtly (I hope) to watch the reaction of the aforementioned HR Director as the final announcement was made. It was only after her she heard her organization’s name called that I saw the elation that I had expected to see earlier. Having witnessed her react to both wins, and being paid for a living to read people, I can honestly say that she was far more excited at having won as a team than she was for the individual recognition.

Unselfishness, the Heart of Teamwork

I thought about using this column to “out” this exemplary leader, to give her the praise that she would never lavish upon herself. But as I thought further on this, I realized that doing so would work at cross-purposes to what she is trying to do with her team. This individual taught me a simple but profound lesson at the one time during that lunch when she was not on stage. Leaders lead when no one is watching, and true teammates know that individual recognition is nothing unless it lifts the group.

 

All I can say is WOW!