Making A Difference

Can you think of specific people who have made a great difference in your life? Many come to my mind. Sometimes someone can say just one word or sentence and it can have a lasting impression on you. For example, my great Aunt Lynn once visited our home in Camden, New Jersey. I was about seven years old and she pulled me aside and encouraged me to read more. She said, “Reading will open a whole new world for you. Read anything and everything. You love sports, right? Read the newspaper, the sports page or sports magazines”. She was so spot on. From that day forward, I read everything I could get my hands on. I still do. I can devour books, love to read articles on the internet, etc. One sentence, one day, changed my life.

Did someone ever tell you that they liked your hair a certain way? Or a certain outfit? Shoes? Can you still remember that person saying it? Do you feel a little more confident wearing them because that individual or other people have noticed them?

My mother made a huge difference in my life. She had to drop out of school in 6th grade to help support her family. But she was quite wise and intelligent. She taught me many lessons that have ‘stuck’ with me. Here are just a few that come immediately to mind:

• She told me not to let anyone stomp on my dreams.

• She said that no one is any more important than anyone else.

• She practiced unconditional love with everyone. Especially her children and grandchildren.

Mom has been gone now about 30 years, but her lessons and actions live on in my me, my family and hopefully their kids.

I tried to carry my Mom’s lessons into my work life, too.

As a leader, I think we sometimes underestimate the importance of the words we use.

Teams look to their leaders to inspire, motivate and encourage. The responsibility that comes with being a leader is a great one. Leaders must shape and grow team members. They need to teach, counsel and even discipline their associates sometimes. All with the intention of helping them to become a better version of themselves for the present and the future.

I learned it was important for me to walk around the corporate office to ‘connect with’ my teammates. Also to visit my remote offices and branches on a regular basis.

It could be as simple as asking about their weekend, their family, new home, upcoming baby, etc. I tried to notice pictures in their cubicles, clothes they were wearing or just their body language. I tried to remember to thank them for a project they just completed or for staying late to finish an assignment. I asked them how I could help them reach their goals. I tried to remember that the right words could make a difference in their lives.

I had to be intentional to make the time to connect as I could very easily get pulled back to my desk to handle the hundreds of ‘fires” that needed my attention or millions of emails and voice mail messages. (A little exaggeration).

In the end, I was just following through on the three lessons Mom taught me from above. Most importantly, just to love everyone unconditionally just as God made them. Thanks Mom!

Have a great day and thanks for reading this.

With a goal to “help the next one in line”, Glen Cavallo, a 30+ year healthcare executive has chosen to share the many lessons he has learned with others. Glen does this by serving as a coach/advisor to leaders at all levels of organizations, as a board member and as he presents inspirational speeches at regional, national, annual and awards meetings.