Something a great leader did that impacted my life

Something a great leader did that impacted my life?

What does it take to be a truly great boss..

I mean somebody you remember long after you’ve worked with them.?

Someone who influenced you, not just while they're working with you, but throughout the rest of your life and career…?

What does it take?

I had the privilege of working with one of these bosses…?

And while many examples come to mind of how he shared his example of leadership with me…

One of the most potent ones is when he didn't say anything, in a situation when most other people would have had many things to say…?

I was in charge of ordering new hire equipment, and I had a budget for doing so, he called me into his office one day to ask me about a purchase that was showing up in the expenses. He asked me why this particular purchase for a monitor was so much.?

And I looked into it, and I couldn't find a reason, so I had to tell him that it was a mistake and that I went over budget, and I apologized.

This would have been an obvious time for him to say something like, “Well, make sure you don't do that again.” Or, “Why weren't you checking to ensure you weren't going over?” Or please, “Next time blah blah blah…”? “Please make sure it doesn't happen again”

Sounds like obvious things to say right??

That's what most people would say in this situation.?

But he didn't. He just said,?

“Okay, just checking! You're free to go & thanks for telling me the truth!”?

And that was it.?

He didn't feel the need to say anything more.?

I walked out of that room, baffled, confused, like something was missing, you know??

Like he should have said… “Don’t do this next time.”?

But he didn't.

And the absence of these words spoke more to me than any boss had.

It was one of the most memorable moments that I recall with him as my boss. Because he taught me that I do not have to hammer things in. Especially because he KNEW I already knew.

If you want to be a great leader by example.

I didn't make this mistake again. I was very well aware after that.?

I was already going to be more vigilant.?

I was already going to be more careful.?

I was already going to double, triple check my purchases just because I'd made the mistake, not because he had to come in and tell me to make sure not to do it again.?

And by saying NOTHING about it. He said more than ever.

What he said using the ABSENCE of words was this:?

• The truth is enough for me.?
• I trust you to learn from this.
• I trust you will do your best not to do it again.

And great leadership involves trust.

He showed me trust with the Absence of any admonishment.

Which I appreciated so much that I now share it with you.