If it is true, as I believe , that we as leaders are here to serve, that means:

•       We are not here to boss people around.
•       We are here to support our teams and to serve them.
•       We are here to help our teams get the training and resources they need to perform their roles in the show.

      We are the directors of the show.  Our teams are the performers.  If they are not great, then we are not great.

As a leader, think hard and long about how generous you are with your time.  Do you share your time with others?  Are you available for people when they need to see you . . . or need some advice or counsel . . . or just a shoulder to cry on?

In my life there is nothing more valuable than my time . . . so when I give it to people, I feel like I am giving them something of great value.

Don't just give your time and attention to people who can do something for you.  That is selfish.  Give your time to people who can do nothing for you.

One day they will call you up and do something for you when they tell you that YOU are the reason that they are where they are today.  They will remind you of the time years ago when you took the time to talk with them and to counsel them.

On this day you will feel very happy and proud that you took the time to help them so long ago by giving them your time.

I received hundreds of e-mails when I retired  almost two years ago.  Many of them thanking me for always being available when they wanted to talk with me, needed advice, or just wanted to share something—something important that was going on in their life.

My advice is for all leaders to take this message to heart and to organize yourself so that you are available for people.  You should feel proud that someone wants to talk with you to gain your insights and advice.  If no one wants to see you, that is a bad sign and probably the beginning of the end for your reputation as a great leader.   . . . Lee