Elevating Gesture

Ah, what an elevating encounter in Prince George last weekend, Saturday the 23rd! It's in these seemingly small gestures that the true character of individuals shines through. I make a habit of recognizing team members to their companies for inspired service so let me paint the picture: I was traveling with my family, including my two young children, and we found ourselves riding down in the hotel elevator. To our surprise, two tall Tri-City Americans players of the Canadian Hockey League Hockey League joined us, dressed in their track suits. But here's the twist: the lasting impression wasn't made by the hotel staff but by a fellow guest, a young man named Alex Serraglio.

As the elevator doors opened, instead of hurrying away, Alex took a moment to hold the door open for my two kids and me. I took note and it prompted me to discover the persons name. After some sleuthing on the team's website, I found his name – Alex Serraglio.

In the grand scheme of things, holding an elevator door might appear trivial, a fleeting moment easily forgotten. However, in my eyes, it revealed volumes about Alex's character and leadership qualities. You might wonder, why does this matter so much to me? Well, as a leader unapologetically people and client centric, I believe every role deserves dignity and respect. Acknowledging and celebrating those who embody our cherished values are pivotal in cultivating a thriving culture.

Alex's simple yet profound gesture spoke volumes about his consideration, empathy, and awareness – traits fundamental to exceptional leadership. It exemplified patience, a positive attitude, and a deep understanding of the impact of small acts of kindness. This encounter reinforced my belief that great leaders can be seen or emerge in everyday moments, people like Alex, who epitomize genuine leadership. In addition to representing himself well, he represented the Tri-City Americans and Canadian Hockey League with dignity and respect. If he wasn't wearing his tracksuit, I can honestly say I would have let the moment slip and not written about it. But because he was I wanted to let his club know about it. It also made me realize I'll need to write about somebody that doesn't have a logo a some point.

So let's break down what holding the elevator door signifies:

1. Consideration and Patience: Holding the door open as people exit shows consideration for others' needs. It requires patience, especially in crowded situations, where it might take a moment for everyone to exit. For us, it was making sure two young children safely exited the elevator without worry of the doors starting to close. His needs weren't greater than our needs.
2. Awareness and Alertness: A person who holds the door for others leaving the elevator is aware of their surroundings. They are alert to the people inside and outside the elevator. So often people are consumed with what they are doing, where they are going they forget about the impact they have on others in their sphere.
3. Empathy: In the three second moment it demonstrated an understanding of how it feels to be caring for children in a busy place with much larger adults rushing to get where they want to be. It signifies empathy for the people who are exiting the elevator. Walking out the door with a team-mate isn't the same as ensuring the safety of two children.
4. Leadership by Example: In a leadership context, holding the door open sets a positive example. It reinforced lessons and behaviours my children have learned about allowing families, elderly, those carrying items or with mobility issues to safely exit first. Leaders who display such courtesy encourage their team members to be mindful of others' needs and to practice those behaviours regularly.
5. Team-Oriented: This action signifies a team-oriented mindset. It shows that the person values the collective experience over individual haste, fostering a sense of camaraderie among the people sharing the elevator. For children, fairness and equity can be seen in small moments like this, regardless of where we were on the elevator first, we're together.
6. Positive Attitude: Holding the door open reflects a positive attitude. The willingness to contribute to a positive environment, even in mundane situations, when nobody was around, not a coach, not a scout, it showed a belief in the importance of respectful interactions. Holding the door wasn't a chore for him.
7. Promoting Respectful Behaviour: By holding the door open, the person promotes a culture of respect. They understand that such small gestures contribute significantly to a respectful and harmonious community, whether it’s within a workplace or any other setting, the respect came from being aware and having empathy.

This was a 3 second moment, one I'm not sure Alex would even remember. So, here's to Alex and all the unsung heroes who exhibit the behaviours that we value and that leadership transcends titles and positions; it's about how we treat others, especially in those often unnoticed moments. Let's celebrate these instances, for they are the cornerstone of a culture steeped in respect, kindness, and genuine human connection.

Observation, as I went to search for an image for this article, I learned that Alex had just been named Captain of his team. Bravo on the selection.