MADE

Make A Difference Enthusiastically

“You made my day,” said the weary employee to the junior leader who walked by

with a cheerful disposition and offered words of gratitude for him as a person, and for

the positive difference he made to the organization. Somehow, the wearied employee

caught a second wind, perked up, powered up, and pressed on with a spring in his step,

and a tune in his heart, because he started quietly whistling a song by the band

Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO), “Taking Care of Business.” An old song brought to

memory from a spoken observation brought to life through cheerful enthusiastic words.

What a difference it made for that employee, and for me who had the privilege of

watching a young leader make a difference enthusiastically. It is not that hard, anyone

can do it, and it is all in how one chooses to approach whatever the matter, be it people,

problems, or practical challenges. Authentic Leaders choose to approach each day

enthusiastically, and their enthusiasm for the day spills over into all they do during the

day.

Genuine enthusiasm is born from within like the heat from a car engine when first

started on a cold day. It is important to note that leaders must be careful to regulate their

enthusiasm like one regulates the heat in their car. Too much enthusiasm can become

sweltering and overwhelming like working with an effervescent “Tigger” from “Winnie the

Pooh.” Too little enthusiasm can create a frozen zone of misery where one sees the

leader like “Eeyore” on steroids.

Balanced Enthusiasm (BE) is best in any environment, but no enthusiasm is

devastating. I’ve watched teams and organizations crumble due to the fact that leaders

forgot to enthuse their people like the junior leader mentioned above who “MADE” a

difference, enthusiastically. Now, If it is within your power to make a difference

enthusiastically, and it is, how are you doing with doing so?