Lollipop Leadership

One of my favorite Ted Talks is by Drew Dudley called "Everyday Leadership." I would encourage you to check it out here.

This quote by Marianne Williamson is one of my favorite quotes of all time. It literally blew my mind.

Drew mentioned in the video we need to "get over the fear of how powerful we can be in each other's life. We need to get over it so we can move beyond it." Can you think of a time in your life this applies?

Drew said "We make leadership about changing the world. Something beyond us. There isn't the world. There is only 6 billion understandings of it. If you change one person's understanding of what they are capable of you can change everything."

I think a really good example of this quote is the Starfish Story.

How many of us have had the opportunity to make a difference, to influence someone's life for the better and decided not to? TOO MANY of us have had the opportunity to make a difference, to influence someone's life for the better and decided not to. Do you agree?

Lets break down the story of the lollipop from the Ted talk. A young girl was attending her first day of college. She wasn't sure if she was ready yet. She was in line dreading it and already deciding to go home. Then Drew (the speaker) saw her in line, walked over to her and handed the boy next to her a lollipop. Drew said "Please give this lollipop to the gorgeous girl standing next to you." Embarrassed and not looking at the girl, he handed her the lollipop. Drew proclaimed "It's her first day away from home and she's already taking candy from strangers!"

What's the impact on the girl? She laughed, her parents laugh, everyone around her laughed. She felt more comfortable and realized she was ready for college. AND she married the boy that gave her the lollipop!

That's a pretty big life impact on her, right?

What's the impact on Drew? Nothing. He doesn't even remember it!

So what's the point of this story?

We need to redefine leadership to be about the lollipop moments. Those small actions can put into place huge changes.

I found this concept so life changing because it's a relief we don't have to change the world We can make a difference and not even know it. One thing you say could change someone's life. That is what being a leader is about.

That's exciting and liberating. We have the opportunity to do this so we should always be encouraging. Always share words of affirmation. Always share wisdom if people ask for it. Always want others to succeed. Always be intentional. Always be strong even if you think no one is watching. Someone is. It could changesomeone's life. Statistics estimate we will meet 80,000 different people in our lifetime. That is 80,000 opportunities for a lollipop moment.

I would encourage you to look for lollipop moments in each day. Be encouraging. Share words of affirmation. Be intentional with relationships. Be brave. Be you!