I am teaching a course that uses a complex online simulation in order to put into practice the many theories of business management which my MBA students have been learning. It finds out if the head knowledge is of practical use! This morning I observed the results of another week of simulation and one of the things that struck me was how much difference can be made by even the slightest variable. Each week the students make a ton of decisions about how their simulated business should function, but even a small, seemingly insignificant, change in the strategy can have a huge impact on the bottom line.
The same is so in how we lead in our organizations. Leaders make a ton of big decisions, but so often, it’s the little things that make the difference, especially with people. That is one of the reasons I’ve been researching and writing about leadership humility. Many of the behaviors of being a humble leader are small and thought to be hardly noticed. However, they can have a huge impact.
Today as you lead, be aware of the little things when interacting with the people you lead. It could be just showing a tiny bit of empathy and care. It may amount to something big.
Be a humble leader. Lead well.