PULL OUT THE POTENTIAL IN OTHERS

In high school, I was VERY shy.

My family lived in Venezuela at the time and I didn't fit in with my classmates (in terms of background, experiences, age, etc) so I spent a lot of time quiet in class. During breaks, I either hung out with my non-Venezuelan friends (who also felt like outsiders) or in the library reading Harry Potter books.

One teacher took a particular interest in me.

She was our Sociology teacher. She kept engaging me in class discussions to help me break out of my shell.

It was annoying.

Why couldn't she just leave me be?

No such luck.

One time, there was a stage production organized by our Drama class and her daughter (a Senior student active in Drama club) was playing a lead role in it, and handling casting. My teacher asked her daughter to put me in one of the lead roles.

Ah! What?

I was anxiety-ridden.

Her daughter was confused. My well known shyness didn't exactly make me the prime candidate for a stage production in front of a live audience.

However, her mother wanted me to do it because 'she believed in me'. So, her daughter obliged and spent extra time during practice weeks helping me prepare and learn dance routines.

Long story short, show night came and we had a great performance.

***Wipes sweat off forehead.***

Afterwards, I felt one thing:

Confidence.

Confidence that I could do anything.

I also felt happiness that it was over and done!

I don't forget that experience. I believe it is directly related to several courageous steps I've taken in my life and work since then.

That experience is a reminder of the power a teacher (or mentor) has to see potential in a person and pull it out, even when they don't see it themselves.

As a manager and team leader, that is always a goal of mine - to spot untapped potential in my team and pull it out to ensure they become more confident, courageous, and compassionate team members, managers, and leaders.

I thank my Sociology teacher for planting the seed.

She did it for me and put me on a path to do it for others...who will hopefully also do it for others.

God bless her and all great teachers, mentors, managers, and leaders.

#leadership #intentionality #mentors #coaches #storytelling #NADstories