I’ve just watched the closing ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics and reflect on what you and I will remember about these games, not just today, but in the future.
For me, it will not be the total medal count or the number of Gold medals. It will be the Canadian speed skater who gave up his spot in the 1000-metre race so a fellow racer could compete, or the Canadian cross-country ski coach, who gave a spare ski to a Russian competitor whose ski broke near the finish line or the Canadian figure skating dance pairs who did not criticize the judging in the final competition.
So Presidents, what will your members or volunteers remember about your year? Will they remember that you stayed on budget, maintained dues or got approval for a new MLS® system or lock boxes? Will that be your legacy? Will that be what your members remember, or did you mentor and groom a new director to be President one day, or let a fellow director shine in the spot light at a media event or general membership meeting? Did you support your Provincial or National Association because, in the end, we are all in this together as a team?
Were you supportive of your EO, who has a job that few of us realize how hard it is? Did you give an encouraging word to your EO, like a pat on the back like a coach, or maybe a tough love conversation?
In the end, we are just people trying to do our best. You were not born to be a real estate association President, but like a trained Olympian athlete; you have been placed in a position of leadership. You should try to go for Gold, or even better, give up something so others may grow.
“When you are becoming a leader, it is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, it’s all about growing others” ~ Jack Welsh
Leave a Reply