Intended or Not, You Are Your Message

Yesterday, my 15 year old daughter told me that I was the most "un-slacker-iest" person she knew. Creative word use aside, I found this unexpected compliment very curious and quite profound. Not because I was in need of a self-esteem boost, but because her observation points to something deeper in her experience and world-view. Something that, as someone 30 years older, I find surprising and refreshing.

If you are like me, you spend quite a bit of time reading, absorbing and trying to apply the wisdom you find. We seek it out. We want to be more effective, more efficient, more knowledgeable, more capable etc. As leaders, we seek to convey things we learn to our teams.

My daughter's comment reminded me that it is not what we tell those around us that matters, it is what we do. It is who we are. Her perspective was crafted over time, was completely raw and offered no value judgement. This was not something she was told, it was something she experienced - even if there were times when she did not want to experience it.

Day-by-day, what impression are you making on those around you? Is the message in your actions the one you intend?