Leading through doing

It’s funny how very often the most enduring life lessons you impart to your children are the ones you teach them when you’re not even aware they’re watching. 

I know that was certainly true for me growing up as I looked to the example of those who raised me.  

I remember the lessons I learned from my maternal grandmother, mi abuela. She raised me for a time in Mexico and later found work in America cleaning hotel rooms. Though she was profoundly grateful, her work was physically demanding and when she passed away at a ripe age of 96, her ankles and feet had actually fused together. I never once heard her complain, even while in great pain.  

Throughout my career, whenever I had a tough day at the office, I reminded myself that my worst day was likely easier than her best.

From this small, frail woman I learned immense lessons of strength and faith, resilience and hard work that I still aspire to emulate. 

I also remember tagging along with my dad to his job at the market where he worked behind the deli counter as a meat-cutter. 

I noted how the bosses always wanted him to display only the freshest cuts when selling to customers, but actually wrap-up the older pieces when the customers weren’t looking. 

My dad wouldn’t do it, even when reprimanded. Simply because what you do – he taught me – is who you are, nothing else. 

A syllabus for a master’s course in leadership probably doesn’t consist of simple, home-spun lessons like these. But, they are the stuff of which actual leadership is made.    

I tried to impart many of these lessons to my own four children as they were growing up. I know they probably paid little attention to what I said; but they assuredly watched what I did. 

Even now, in my role as Executive Chairman of United and former CEO, I’m frequently asked to impart lessons on leadership and character, especially from members of the Hispanic community who look to my story for guidance.  

In fact, you can hear my recent podcast interview with Marco Davis, the CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, titled “Here to Lead.” I highly suggest listening and subscribing to the podcast at https://apple.co/2IdktBj 

It was a great opportunity to expand on and share many of the lessons I’ve learned during my career.   

I’ve realized over the years that while it matters what established leaders like me say, what we do is more important, especially in these times of great and unequal distress.  

I hope conversations like this inspire leaders across our society to respond to this profound moment in history to model the very best of the organizations we lead. 

 The next generation of leaders is watching and learning.