Hidden in Plain Sight: The Hall of Famers Around Us.

Welcome to "Leadership is Not a Title," where we explore purposeful, courageous, and intentional Leadership. Leadership is not merely a title; it's about influence, value creation, and impact. If you like my perspective on Leadership, please consider signing up for our monthly newsletter by clicking here: https://drflofalayi.substack.com/

Please Join Me

It all started with an errant text from my neighbor, and it was a pleasant surprise: "Flo, I've been notified of my induction into our high school hall of fame, and would you please join me at the awards ceremony on Friday?" he announced, equally shocked and ecstatic as he extended an invitation.

I accepted instantly, and then my curiosity got the best of me.

I called Lande, my spouse, to express my delight and shock.

What! Can you believe it?

Then the more I learnt, the more shocked I became. My neighbor played football at both the high school and college level!

Shocking...

You have to understand my shock; we've been neighbors for years, and the topic of his former glory days playing football never came up, but to be honest, I do recall him offering my sons some workout tips after he learned they were on their high school basketball and football teams.

Which should have been a prompt but...anyway, this is on me; I didn't follow up, I didn't probe or ask questions, and guess what? As life became busy, things stayed the same.

Status Quo: Satisfied with What We Know.

This event made me ponder the many 'hall of famers' around us at work, on virtual calls, business meetings, community gatherings, and social events. These champions, hiding in plain sight, who contribute their quota without fanfare, performing quiet heroism as they innovate, motivate, problem-solve, and make a difference.

Hidden in plain sight, because we've chosen to accept what we think, assume and know.

This realization underscores a vital lesson for leaders: the importance of curiosity, recognition, and celebration.?Your teams are full of hidden talents- the consistent performer, the quiet introvert, the accented problem solver, and the others who are different from us.

Three Strategies

Here are three strategies to help you create and sustain the environment that recognizes the hidden treasures in your organizations and on your teams -

1. Be Curious and Inquisitive: Create the space for everyone to be fearlessly curious and learn how to inquire respectfully. Elevate the mindset that appreciates differences and leverages those unique strengths, ambitions, and needs.
2. Build a Recognition-Rich Culture: Develop the capacity to maximize differences and a complimenting and supporting atmosphere that makes recognition, gratitude, and feedback routine. Nurture the habit of spotlighting individual and collective successes beyond annual performance management processes.
3. Encourage Transparent Communication: Feedback is kindness! Promote an environment where everyone feels safe to speak up without repercussions. As well as the ability to voice their ideas, opinions, obstacles, and successes. Nurturing this habit opens the doors to many unknowns?—?such as concealed talents and contributions.

Call-to-Action?—?

You don't have to wait for permission, consider these three things anyone can do to identify, recognize and celebrate the hidden talents within their teams.

1. Get Information: Consider conducting a survey, Q&A, or any other method of gathering information. If you lead a team, the goal is to create a channel where your team can provide honest and constructive feedback focused on identifying the skills and talents of the team. You can use this valuable insight to understand the current landscape and identify areas for improvement, especially regarding recognition and inclusivity within the organization.
2. Implement Personalized Development Plans: Dedicate time to develop personalized growth plans for each team member, emphasizing their unique strengths and aspirations. If you already have one developed, use it in your 1-on-1 conversations.
3. You can facilitate regular 'Idea-Sharing' Meetings: You can set up a routine (cadence) for 'idea-sharing' sessions where your team members can freely express their thoughts, challenges, and achievements. This practice nurtures open communication and ensures that the silent contributors have a platform to be seen and heard.

This was a wake-up call for me to 'continue' to see broadly, like we say at Korn Ferry, to widen my aperture.

Thank you for reading and subscribing to the newsletter; your continued support and engagement are greatly appreciated.

Dr. Flo

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Dr. Flo is a hybrid leader: American-born, British-trained, and Nigerian-raised. Leadership and Executive Advisor/Coach. Partner, 光辉国际 Leadership Development, CEO Succession, and DEI practice.