People often ask what makes someone a strong employee or a dependable leader. For me, the answer is simple. You learn who someone truly is when life gets difficult. Anyone can look organized and confident when everything is easy. Real leadership shows up when the pressure is on and you still find a way to move forward.
Take my own life as an example. I am a father of five older boys, two of whom have special needs. I have been out of work for a while now, yet I have never allowed that challenge to define me. Every day I spend hours applying for jobs, networking, and staying focused on the next opportunity. Even with the stress that comes with a long job search, we still protect our family time. We still take care of each other. We still find ways to keep the lights on and push through.
The holidays are coming up and things are tight, but I refuse to back down. I managed to get a twenty pound turkey and the pies already. On the next trip I will pick up the rest of the fixings. Every Thanksgiving we prepare more food than we need for two important reasons. First, we never know if someone will stop by who has nowhere else to go. Second, nobody goes hungry in our house.
We also usually have a few college students who could not make it home show up. If someone needs a place to land for the holiday, they know the door is open. It is a tradition we started when we moved to Potsdam, NY, and it will not stop because of a little bump in the road.
I did all of this by staying organized, finding solutions to problems, practicing patience, and keeping a positive attitude. These are the same skills that I have used in every jobs I have ever held. In my experience, those qualities are what truly define a good employee and a great leader.
