Monday Motivation: See The Potential In Others

A personal tidbit you may not know about me is that my dad is a pastor and has been for the last forty-five or so years. This past weekend I attended his church as they celebrated his retirement. Make no mistake–pastoring a church is no easy task. To accomplish just about anything, you have to motivate and inspire a bunch of volunteers who just happen to pay your salary.

During the course of the service, several long time church members stood up and shared words of appreciation for my parents. I was so proud to hear what they had to say. One person in particular talked about how my dad always affirmed the work she was doing in the area she served at the church.

She felt as though, what he thought she was doing far exceeded what she was actually doing. She went on to say that my dad saw the potential in her and talked up to her potential rather than the current reality. This technique challenged her to work up to her potential, constantly improving her work.

This is a terrific reminder that great leaders see the potential in others and work tirelessly to help them realize that potential. Leaders see employees for what they could be and cheer relentlessly until they become just that. I am grateful to have a dad who models that very thing.

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