Elevating Others – A Lesson in Empathy and Leadership

I've often grappled with the puzzling behavior of people who choose self-promotion over the gratification of uplifting others. It begs the question, have we reached such a point in our society where we feel compelled to push others down to elevate ourselves?

Perhaps I'm built differently. I derive immense satisfaction from aiding others in their journey towards betterment. The automotive industry has presented me with abundant opportunities to make a profound impact on lives. For me, the currency of joy triumphs over any monetary gain.

Let me ensure that my perspective is clear. My core values steer my decisions, and I'm convinced that prioritizing people over profit catalyzes extraordinary performance levels. This belief is not unfounded. According to Abby McCain's insightful piece on Zippia, 92% of employees are more likely to repeat a behavior when recognized for it.

A few other poignant statistics from the same source caught my eye:

• A startling 29% of employees haven't received acknowledgement for their good work in over a year, or ever.
• An overwhelming 80% of employees would put forth more effort if they felt adequately appreciated.
• Strong employee recognition initiatives reduce turnover rates by an impressive 31%.

Before we delve into what leaders "should" be doing, it's crucial to reflect upon ourselves first. Ask yourself, "What am I doing to improve?" I must admit that I grapple with the habit of comparison, a trait ingrained in me since childhood. However, it's important to understand that emulating someone's performance shouldn't mean compromising our morals or identity.

Here's a simple, powerful mantra: strive to be better than you were yesterday. A tiny bit of progress daily can result in profound change over time. Are you investing time in learning that skill you've been putting off for years? Have you followed through with it consistently?

We live in an age where knowledge is ubiquitous. The internet is a veritable treasure trove of information on virtually any subject you can think of. Moreover, tools like ChatGPT are revolutionizing how we learn. Imagine a platform that could generate questions for you to ask, helping you dive deeper into any topic of your choice – this is the power of AI-driven learning.

Coming back to our main point, being in a leadership role demands setting a stellar example. A leadership position is no shield against scrutiny. If your team perceives you as a hypocrite, your words lose credibility. We need to do better by acknowledging our employees for their contributions, no matter how small.

Let’s not merely aspire for change in the automotive industry – let's be the change. This transformation starts at the individual level, with every person in a leadership role. Remember, your habits, both good and bad, are likely to cascade down to the future leaders under your wing.