Underestimating Impact

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ~ John Quincy Adams

Two things happened recently that reminded me how easy it is to underestimate our impact on others AND how incredible it is to be reminded that you are important to someone. I seem to always have jobs that put me in a position to have an impact on others - I mentor, I run youth programs, I teach. In each of these parts of my life, I try to learn from others too. I wouldn't necessarily define myself as a "leader"- I tend to feel more like part of a team in which everyone contributes. However, I am very happy to buy into the above definition of "leader" - mostly because it allows me the opportunity to inspire others to figure out how to be the best they can be instead of telling them how I think they should be the best they can be.

Back to my experiences over the weekend:

On Saturday night I had a conversation with one of my best girlfriends about meaningful friendships. We were talking about how there is a big difference between having dozens of friends you can hang out with and a few really good friends that you can call for anything - event at 3am! Both of us agreed that the latter was more important - that knowing who you can count on is more important than having tons of people to socialize with. This got me thinking that I am a very fortunate girl - I have several best girlfriends that I could call on at 3am and I have no doubt that they would be there for me, just as I would be there for them.

I also received a very special surprise from two of my teen girls over the weekend. One of them sent me an email with the link to a YouTube video and asked me to check it out. Turns out, it was a video they made for me complete with pictures of the three of us and the two of them singing along to "True Friends" by Hannah Montana. I couldn't believe how thoughtful these two thirteen year old girls were to take the time to put together such a touching gift. It made me realize the impact I have had on them and how much they inspire me in return.

If by being a leader, I continue to promote relationships that emphasize the kind of respect, compassion, and love that my best girlfriends and my girls have shown me, then it is a role I happily embrace. By recognizing and taking advantage of the opportunities we get to have impact as individuals, we can make incredible changes for others. Sometimes, when we least expect it, our kindness results in an unforgettable thank you.