We all have people in our lives that make an impact. This can happen in so many different ways. It could be a close family member who has shown you how to live by example, a good friend who has stood with you through thick and thin, the barista who hands you your morning cup of coffee with a genuine smile. These people that make impacts can be in your life forever or for just a fleeting moment it doesn't matter, what matters is the impact. We all have this in common, you can't go through this journey we call life without others making an impression, but what we may not have in common is telling someone when they have this impact on us. A good friend of mine, Jason Barnaby, is passionate about this and I want to become more intentional with this in my life.
One way I like to do this is to create a card and write a message to the recipient. This involves something I love to do (handmade cards) and who doesn't like to get mail that is not a bill!? The way you let someone know they have had an impact on your life can vary so have fun with it!
This week the unexpected death of a co-worker, Mark Schnabl, rocked my world. Mark was one of my leaders in my role as a supervisor. I had the privilege to work on a project that allowed me to continue to build my relationship with Mark even after I left my role as a supervisor. I remember that as soon as Mark knew I would be leaving my role in management he said he wanted to sit and talk to me about my reasons why. He traveled a lot and both of our schedules were pretty crazy, but about 8 months into my new role we finally connected. During our conversation I said that I didn't feel that I had a good connection with my team on a personal level and didn't think I was leading them the best way that I could. I remember Mark telling me that he firmly believed that a leader needs to develop personal relationships with their team because the trust that comes with that relationship is critical to ensuring that the processes and projects at work are completed to the best of everyone's abilities.
Looking back now on when Mark would check in with me during his trips to Indy he would always ask how my family was doing. I know that he listened because he would remember details from prior conversations and ask about them. He would also ask what he could do for me to make my job easier. That is often times a loaded question, but I knew that he cared and even if he was not able to fix something immediately it was in the back of his mind for future opportunities to improve or help.
I think being a leader is so much more than managing processes. Mark put people first, knowing that the process would follow. That is what I valued about him. In our last conversation I thanked him for valuing his staff and told him that it was a pleasure to have worked for him. You never know what your last conversation with someone will be but when you look back and it's one like this it brings peace. Loss is a strange concept and makes you experience many emotions, this week has certainly been a roller coaster. Rest in peace Mark, you will be missed dearly.
So bottom line...don't let too much time go past before you tell someone the impact they have had on your life. Remember the size of the impact is not as important as acknowledging the impact.
One way I like to do this is to create a card and write a message to the recipient. This involves something I love to do (handmade cards) and who doesn't like to get mail that is not a bill!? The way you let someone know they have had an impact on your life can vary so have fun with it!
This week the unexpected death of a co-worker, Mark Schnabl, rocked my world. Mark was one of my leaders in my role as a supervisor. I had the privilege to work on a project that allowed me to continue to build my relationship with Mark even after I left my role as a supervisor. I remember that as soon as Mark knew I would be leaving my role in management he said he wanted to sit and talk to me about my reasons why. He traveled a lot and both of our schedules were pretty crazy, but about 8 months into my new role we finally connected. During our conversation I said that I didn't feel that I had a good connection with my team on a personal level and didn't think I was leading them the best way that I could. I remember Mark telling me that he firmly believed that a leader needs to develop personal relationships with their team because the trust that comes with that relationship is critical to ensuring that the processes and projects at work are completed to the best of everyone's abilities.
Looking back now on when Mark would check in with me during his trips to Indy he would always ask how my family was doing. I know that he listened because he would remember details from prior conversations and ask about them. He would also ask what he could do for me to make my job easier. That is often times a loaded question, but I knew that he cared and even if he was not able to fix something immediately it was in the back of his mind for future opportunities to improve or help.
I think being a leader is so much more than managing processes. Mark put people first, knowing that the process would follow. That is what I valued about him. In our last conversation I thanked him for valuing his staff and told him that it was a pleasure to have worked for him. You never know what your last conversation with someone will be but when you look back and it's one like this it brings peace. Loss is a strange concept and makes you experience many emotions, this week has certainly been a roller coaster. Rest in peace Mark, you will be missed dearly.
So bottom line...don't let too much time go past before you tell someone the impact they have had on your life. Remember the size of the impact is not as important as acknowledging the impact.
Good advice! Time gets away from everyone so easily nowadays, it's important to remember the good things of life. Thankfulness looks good on everyone 💛
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