How is leadership like a turn signal and "Back in Black"?
Michael Jones
Value Based Care Authority - Parkinson's Warrior - Encourager - Follower of Christ
Why yes, I DO mean the AC/DC song "Back in Black"! And if you're not familiar with the song, AC/DC is an Australian hard rock band formed in the 70s, and the song "Back in Black" was one of their hits from the 80s. It's played often at sporting events to fire up the crowd, and even if you've never heard the song, it's enough to know that it's a hard rock song, heavy on guitar, and it's got a solid beat.
As I was listening to a podcast this week, one of the hosts had a memory awakened that simply delighted him. He retold this story as if it were yesterday with such joy that you could just tell it made him happy to remember it. One time in the 1990s, he was stopped in his car and needed to turn. He turned on the car and hit the left turn signal, and at that very moment, as if angels descended on him, the song "Back in Black" came on the radio just as he started the turn signal, and the thing that really made him happy was that the turn signal was in perfect time with the song - throughout the entire song. He even made a point of saying this has happened many, many times where the signal would be in sync with a song for a few seconds, but never before and never since has it held that beat for the entire song. He was so amazed that he stayed in one place with the turn signal on through the very end of the song just to experience it, and the blinker always stayed in perfect beat with the song. He was overjoyed.
Pretty ridiculous, huh? The fact that something as simple as a turn signal being in tune for an entire song, that it could make someone so happy that they got excited about sharing it 30 years later. Or is it?
You just never know how much a simple act will impact someone, and how a seemingly innocuous act can have a profound impact on someone.
As a leader, the value you add and the value you bring to your team can in part be measured not only by the output you deliver, but by the impact you have.
So how is leadership like a turn signal and "Back in Black"? As a leader, you have a rare opportunity to do something significant that transcends performance. You have an opportunity to have an impact. You never know what simple thing you do that someone will talk about 30 years later. Take your responsibilities as a leader seriously, and help others become and live up to their full potential.
I believe in you, and let me know if I can help in any way!
#encouragingleader